July 2018 is completely focused on providing you with genealogy tips that are …..well,….”out of the box”.
Welcome to DAY 12 of the 31 Days of “Out of the Box” Genealogy Tips series! Need to start at the beginning of the series or catch up? Start here.
DAY 12 – Use Occupational Records in Your Research!
Consider these two questions:
- How did your ancestors earn their living?
- How does this information impact your genealogy research?
How our ancestors made a living impacted where they lived, who they associated with and what records their life generated.
While knowing your ancestor’s occupation does not necessarily provide information on other generations, the knowledge does add color and depth to his/her life. The more you understand your ancestor and his life choices, the more clues you can extract from his records in future research.
Where To Find Occupational Records
An ancestor’s occupation can be found in a surprising number of places. A few examples include:
- The US Federal Census 1850-1880
- World War I draft cards – Your ancestor’s place of employment may also be listed.
- Passenger Lists
- Old photographs – Look for clues based on location, clothing and tools in the photograph.
- City Directories – (Okay, these are my favorite resources!)
- Bonus!! If your ancestor owned a business, be sure and check the state’s business directories.
Interested in reading more about genealogy and occupational records? Check out this more in depth post!
How did your ancestor earn a living?
Check out previous posts in the 31 Days of Out of the Box Genealogy Tips:
- Day 1 – Volunteer!
- Day 2 – Genealogy Wikis
- Day 3 – Cemetery Research
- Day 4 – Newspaper Society Pages
- Day 5 – Vertical Files
- Day 6 – Religious Periodicals
- Day 7 – Unplug Your Genealogy
- Day 8 – Cultural Periodicals
- Day 9 – Facebook Groups
- Day 10 – DNA Education
- Day 11 – Funeral Records
Pin for Future Reference!