Find Your Ancestors With The My Ancestor Was Series

Find Your Ancestors With The My Ancestor Was Series!

Researching your genealogy will uncover a lot of interesting facts about your family tree. But how do you find your ancestors and learn about their working life?

The My Ancestor Was books is a series of guides that will help you explore the lives of your ancestor.

Find Your Ancestors With The My Ancestor Was Series

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They will also help you find occupation records so that you can understand what they went through to make a living.

To learn about your ancestor’s occupations will help!

When I began my family history research I was interested in the usual tidbits of information that I could find out about my ancestors.

I would collect names and dates which would help me build up my family tree. I would also discover what they would do for a living.

But I didn’t understand what was involved in their line of work.

To be honest I wasn’t even sure how to even find their work records. And even if they were available.

Credit: Ancestry

As my ancestors came from many different backgrounds then obviously there were many different trades and jobs to discover in my family.

I wanted to discover what it was like for my ancestors. And then how to find out how to get these records as well.

Only from these resources was I able to comprehend and appreciate what they went through to get through their daily life.

To understand what they went through to put bread on the table and how they provided for their family.

This collection can open your eyes to what it was like for them when you discover this part of your family’s history.

14 Books To Help Trace Your Ancestors Working Lives:

I discuss here what you can expect from each of the following 14 books in this review.

My Ancestor Was An Agricultural Labourer     My Ancestor Was An Apprentice     My Ancestor Was In The British Army

My Ancestor Was A Coalminer     My Ancestor Was A Leather Worker     My Ancestor Was A Railway Worker

my-ancestor-was-in-the-royal-navy     My Ancestor Was In Service     My Ancestor Was A Studio Photographer

My Ancestors Were Thomas Watermen     My Ancestor Was A Lawyer     My Ancestor Was A Royal Marine

My Ancestor Was A Woman At War     My Ancestor Worked In The Theatre

Please note:

Although these books are available in the US and the UK, they discuss what life was like in the UK for your ancestors.

These books will also discuss resources that you can find to get your ancestor’s work records.

Also, these books are available in Kindle format.

So, once you have purchased them then you can immediately start to trace your ancestors.

There is no waiting for a book to arrive in the mail. If you do wish to purchase a paperback then there are links available when you go through the Amazon links.

If you do wish to purchase a paperback then there are links available when you go through to the Amazon product.

Discover more of these books by visiting the site of the Society of Genealogists.

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My Ancestor Was An Agricultural LabourerMy Ancestor Was An Agricultural Labourer

It is most probable that one, if not many, of your ancestors worked the land.

After all, this was the most common way for our ancestors to provide for their families.

This book will detail what it was like to grow up and work in such an environment.

There were many different types of work to be found on the farm and your ancestor may have had to become an expert in all of them.

Also, there were different types of work for the different times of the year.

There would be chores such as plowing, sowing, and harvesting to be done throughout the year.

My Ancestor Was An Agricultural Labourer Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size1304KB
Pages150 pages
AuthorIan H Waller
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedJuly 24, 2014
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

I must point out here that the term agricultural laborer, or ag lab, was the same as a farm laborer.

If you see either of these in Census records, parish registers, or official documents then your ancestor would have worked on the land.

While the first part of the book looks at what life was like as a farmer, the second part helps you find these records.

        

The book will discuss Quarter Sessions, tithe schedules, manorial records, estate records, and discuss trade union records.

A bibliography is also to be found in the book as well as a list of Parliamentary Bills. These bills would have affected the life of your ancestor in some way.


My Ancestor Was An ApprenticeMy Ancestor Was An Apprentice

If your ancestor was not working on the land then he could have quite probably have been learning a trade.

This is what occurred in my family.

My ancestors were originally farm laborers, working the land for an estate.

Eventually one of my relatives would learn a new trade, that being a cordwainer.

In other words, this was a shoemaker.

He would have learned this trade from someone who had experience. He would therefore have been an apprentice to a master shoemaker.

My Ancestor Was An Apprentice Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size9633KB
Pages121 pages
AuthorStuart A Raymond
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedAugust 21, 2014
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

All sorts of apprenticeships are covered!

It is quite likely that not only would you have had farm laborers in your family tree but also apprentices as well.

In this book, you will find a description of the different types of apprenticeship. The history of apprenticeships in the United Kingdom will also be explored.

It will also show the importance that the role of apprenticeships had to society and how the Industrial Age grew from the middle ages to the 19th Century.

Not only will the term and the history of being an apprentice be explored but also there is a comprehensive guide to sources and records.

It will suggest ways in which you may investigate your ancestral records.

        

Your ancestor’s apprenticeship may have been recorded in indentures.

There would also have been other types of records, such as freedom registration, inland revenue, charity records, court examinations, and proceedings.

You could also explore the work that your ancestor did through records such as wills, poll records, and parliamentary papers.

By exploring these records you can also discover the status or grade that your ancestor had reached in their trade.

The final part of the book contains useful indexes and references that will help you track down your ancestor.

There are many sources to be found in this section of the book, and most probably it will help you find your ancestor.


My Ancestor Was In The British ArmyMy Ancestor Was In The British Army

Not only were my ancestors both farm laborers or learning a new trade, but also a few of them were in the British Army.

To find out about your ancestors you will learn about the War Office (WO) records.

These are available from the National Archive in the United Kingdom.

You will also discover that a lot of these records have been uploaded online for you to explore.

So, chances are that you will find your ancestor’s war records from this resource.

My Ancestor Was In The British Army Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size105534KB
Pages150 pages
AuthorsMichael J & Christopher T Watts
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedJuly 25, 2014
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

This book will explore the history of the British Army from 1660 to the First World War and Second World War as well.

So, there are nearly 300 years of war history to be found in this book.

Learning about where your ancestors were employed and where they served can give you an eye-opener into their life.

I have not only found out about these records but also about the history of the destinations that they served.

        

Helping me trace my ancestor’s military life!

My ancestors joined the British Army before the First World War.

I was intrigued to not only find out where they served but also what regiment and rank that they achieved.

As well as what medals they were awarded.

The book also explores ways for you to discover pension records of your war relatives.

Some appendices will give you references to Regimental Records and War Office records that are found at the National Archive.

There is such a wealth of information here that will help you discover the life of your wartime relative.


My Ancestor Was A CoalminerMy Ancestor Was A Coalminer

It has quite surprised me that I have reached this part of the article and I still find relatives of mine attached to all of these job descriptions.

But maybe it should not as I have discussed at the start of this article.

As our family trees are quite vast and today we can explore so much of our rich family history we can find so many different types of work.

So, whether they worked the land, learned a trade, or joined the army we can find their records, to some extent of course.

My Ancestor Was A Coalminer Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size28358KB
Pages199 pages
AuthorDavid Tonks
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedSeptember 1, 2014
BUY HERE  ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

Different Types Of Coalmine Work!

As my family originated in the United Kingdom a significant branch of my family worked in coal mines.

There were many different types of work to be found at the mines, such as a coal hewer which was another term for a coal miner.

There would also be people who worked the shafts, i.e. pulled people up and down the shafts to the coal seams.

One of my ancestors was involved in the distribution of coal, in other words, he sold the coal.

One of my ancestors was even a fireman. This term though was different from what we know as a fireman today.

In this role, my ancestor was responsible for expelling the dangerous gases that were found in the coal mines. A very dangerous job to have in those days.

        

Coal built this nation!

By 1850 there were about 3000 coal mines to be found in the United Kingdom.

So, there is a good chance that maybe one of your relatives worked in the coal mines of Britain.

It was an important industry as it quite literally helped to ‘fuel’ the Industrial Age.

If you want to know about what it was like to be a coal miner or to be a part of this industry then this book will help you immensely.

It will help you explore your coalmining ancestors by showing you what resources that you can find and use.

It will show you the many sources of information that are available to you.


My Ancestor Was A Leather Workermy-ancestor-was-a-leather-worker

Well, I have reached the fifth book of this article and I have still found yet another trade or job that my ancestor worked in.

As I mentioned near the start of this article one of my ancestors was a shoemaker.

And so he worked in the leather industry.

My ancestors would also work in this industry for several generations.

So, this book was a great asset to me in learning about the many different types of work that were found within the leather industry.

My Ancestor Was A Leather Worker Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size14016KB
Pages259 pages
AuthorIan H Waller
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedMay 6, 2015
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

The leather trade had reached its height during the early to mid-1800s. And so there were different types of work to be found within the industry.

To be honest, though it is not surprising to find my ancestors within this industry as there were thousands of works in this trade by the 1850s.

Different types of leatherwork:

  • Leather Tanners
  • Curriers
  • Merchants
  • Shoemakers
  • Saddle and Harness Makers

There were even cricket ball and sporran makers as well.

So, if your ancestor worked in the leather industry then they could have worked in any one of these different jobs.

All of these and many other trades are covered in this book.

        

What’s discussed in this book?

The book will discuss the processes that were used to create leather and also what the working conditions were like for your ancestors.

Knowing how your ancestor carried out their role gives you a deep appreciation and understanding of their working life.

And also how hard it was for them.

So, not only will this book list and discuss these different types of work but it will help you find your ancestors’ work records as well.

There is a comprehensive list of the different types of records and how you can find them.

The attached appendices details what can be found in the records held all over the UK.


My Ancestor Was A Railway WorkerMy Ancestor Was A Railway Worker

There are many jobs that your ancestors did as you trace out your family history.

One of them was working on the railway

During the Industrial Revolution, 2 million people were working on the railway.

There is a fairly good chance that one, (if not more of your ancestors), worked on the railway.

There are many other jobs that they could have done besides driving a train.

So, I wonder what you will discover?

My Ancestor Was A Railway Worker Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size5062KB
Pages106 pages
AuthorFrank Hardy
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedJuly 28, 2014
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

4 big railways during this time:

  • Great Western Railway
  • Midland and Scottish Railway
  • London and North Eastern Railway
  • Southern Railway

If you are like me then you will discover many different jobs that your ancestor performed while working in this area.

So, while you may have discovered that your ancestor did work on the railway you may also wonder what exactly they did as well.

Your ancestor may have worked on passenger trains, freight, or maybe even both.

They may have had other jobs such as maintaining all trains or the track itself.

        

Where can you find records?

This book will give you a brief history of the railways in Britain, as well as cover terms and phrases that were used in both the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

The author Frank Hardy discusses what your ancestor did on the railway and how you may find records to trace your ancestors.

What is also good to hear is that many of these records are now available online.

These records can be found through The National Archives, which have digitized and uploaded many historic railway records.

With the help of these records, they describe the life of the employees, (our ancestors).

You can find these records by either visiting The National Archives or through Ancestry.


Your ancestor may have wanted to sail the seas and discover the world.

One of the ways that they could have done this is by enlisting with the Royal Navy.

A couple of my ancestors went to sea although they joined the merchant navy instead.

If you do have ancestors in your family tree that were in the Royal Navy then you are probably wondering what life was like for them.

You probably want to know what all the insignias and ranks mean, as well as try to find records relating to their seafaring life.

My Ancestor Was In The Royal Navy Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size5561KB
Pagespages
AuthorIan H Waller
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedFebruary 1, 2014
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

What can you uncover with this book?

This book will give you a brief history of the service. It will explore the terms, insignias, and divisions, and branches of the Royal Navy.

It will also look at pensions, dockyards around Britain, casualties as a result of war.

Through this book, you may discover whether your ancestor was even punished for any misdemeanors.

These can be found by checking court-martial and tribunal records.

        

There is also much more besides all this.

This book will help guide through all the different Navy records that date from before the 1700s that still exist today.

It will help show you what to look for as well as explain all the terminology that you will need to know about.


My Ancestor Was In ServiceMy Ancestor Was In Service

We have all seen the British show, Downton Abbey.

Watching this show we have been mesmerized not only by the costumes but also the relationship between the family of the house and the servants.

One of my ancestors did work for an estate as a cordwainer (shoemaker), although he did not live within the mansion.

He would have had his own home where he would have a room that he could use to make the shoes.

My Ancestor Was In Service Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size8198KB
Pages152 pages
AuthorPamela Horn
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedOctober 21, 2014
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

Was your ancestor the master or servant?

If you’re lucky enough you may claim a lord or a duke, or even a notable member of the society within your family tree.

However, most likely you will find a relative working as a member of staff within the walls of these large houses or the estate that they would have owned.

In fact by the end of the Victorian era, (the late 1800s), there was nearly a third of all women in Britain working in service.

        

What can you uncover?!

This book will introduce you to what it was like being in service during the late 19th Century and early 20th Century.

There was a range of different roles that your ancestor may have performed.

This could range from a chambermaid, who would make the beds, etc, to the cooks that made the meals for the lords and ladies.

This book will help you find these servicewomen and men in your family tree.

It will also help you to research the people in your family that may have even employed domestic staff.

There are plenty of resources included in this book as well. It looks at the addresses of vital record offices.

It will also suggest to you areas of research, trade directories, newspapers, wage books, and a lot more resources.


My Ancestor Was A Studio PhotographerMy Ancestor Was A Studio Photographer

This book is quite different from what I have covered thus far.

As yet I have not discovered any ancestor or distant relative who was a studio photographer.

Despite this though many photos in my photo album comprise studio photos.

But that does not mean that you will find a studio photographer in your family tree.

Maybe you already know of one or maybe a relative knows.

Why not check with them to find out?

My Ancestor Was A Studio Photographer Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size6727KB
Pages177 pages
AuthorRobert Pols
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedSeptember 2, 2015
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

My photographic ancestor!

As a side note, one of my ancestors did dabble in trick photography.

In one photograph he took a photo of him cutting his hair.

There was another one where his sister was reading her palm.

Both of these involved the practice of double exposure.

        

A good chance you may have a photographer in your tree!

Anyway, unlike me, your ancestor may have been a studio photographer.

So, if you are reading this then you are interested in what this job was like.

You may also want to find surviving examples of your ancestor’s work.

Photography was a growing industry during the Victorian era

Incredibly there was a staggering 6000 photographers registered within the London area.

So, not only help you to find examples of your ancestor’s work this book will also help you find resources relating to their work.


My Ancestors Were Thames WatermenMy Ancestors Were Thomas Watermen

River Thames is a well-known river that runs through London, England.

You may be surprised to know that it is 215 miles long.

The author of this book, James Legon, is a descendant of eight generations who worked on the River Thames.

He gives you an insight into the roles that your ancestor may have had, such as a lighterman or a waterman.

My Ancestors Were Thames Watermen Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size7398KB
Pages225 pages
AuthorJames W Legon
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedJanuary 1, 2008
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

What were the jobs?

The job of a lighterman was to operate a lighter, which was a flat-bottomed barge.

This could have either have been powered or unpowered. If it wasn’t powered then it would be pulled by a tug.

He would be responsible for carrying goods.

A waterman on the other hand would transfer passengers across and along city centers.

They would be in charge of rowboats, sailing boats, steamboats, and any kind of vessel that worked on the waterways.

        

What help do you get!

This book gives an insightful look at the two job roles of lighterman and waterman.

It will also guide you to trace such records as well.

Finding out that your ancestor worked on the Thames can be interesting enough.

But with this book, you get an understanding of what working life was for them.

And with help from this book, you will find your ancestors within the records.


My Ancestor Was A LawyerMy Ancestor Was A Lawyer

At one time I thought that I had a lawyer in my family tree.

I had found an ancestor of mine in a census, but the handwriting was fancy and difficult to read.

I was just starting and learning all I could about my family tree and what it was to be a genealogist.

What I thought to be ‘Lawyer‘ was in fact ‘Sawyer‘.

It was only after spending a bit more time pondering this record that I saw that I was wrong.

My Ancestor Was A Lawyer Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size12986KB
Pages215 pages
AuthorsBrian Brooks & Mark Herber
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedMarch 3, 2015
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

Check your sources first!

My point here is to take care when it comes to deciphering official documents.

Also, you must be wary of the transcriber who has digitized these records.

Sometimes they will too make mistakes as well when they are uploading these records online.

The authors of this book will give you a valuable overview of the law profession in England and Wales.

        

They also cover what records exist and how you can use them.

Within this comprehensive guide, there are chapters on:

  • Lawyers and their societies
  • Institutions and records
  • Published records of lawyers
  • Records of the courts

Besides these main chapters, there is much more included in the book that will help you along your way.

There is also a useful section about lawyers in Scotland, Ireland, and also English lawyers overseas.


My Ancestor Was A Royal MarineMy Ancestor Was A Royal Marine

Described as the United Kingdom’s amphibious light infantry force forms part of the Naval Service.

The other half that makes up this service is the Royal Navy.

The Royal Marines were first formed in 1755 but can trace their origins back to 1664.

Essentially the marines are trained for rapid deployment and can handle any threat.

They are organized into a light infantry brigade and many separate units, as well as several other groups.

My Ancestor Was A Royal Marine Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size1410KB
Pages116 pages
AuthorKen Divall
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedNovember 1, 2011
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

The Royal Marines have been in action in many major wars, and often fought beside the British Army.

They also have close international ties with other allied marine forces, including the United States and the Netherlands.

The five different wars covered in this book include:

  • Seven Years War
  • Napoleonic War
  • Crimean War
  • World War I
  • World War II

Together with the help of Major General Julian Thompson the author Ken Divall will help you explore your Royal Marine ancestors.

        

What you can learn!

The book will help you understand fully the history of the service with an introduction.

They will give you guidance on how to trace your ancestors that served in the Royal Marines.

This guidebook will list for you the records that are available to you to help with your genealogy research.

The author will also help you to locate these records.


My Ancestor Was A Woman At WarMy Ancestor Was A Woman At War

Women during wartime would fill many roles that would traditionally be male jobs.

The reason for this was obvious.

As men went off to war the women essentially had to run the country and carry out important roles that would help continue the daily life of the United Kingdom.

At the onset of war, numerous advertisements would encourage women to fill these important male roles.

But they would also take an active part in the war effort itself.

They would for example join the nurse corps and the armed forces.

This would therefore mean that more men could be sent into combat.

My Ancestor Was A Woman At War Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size12888KB
Pages312 pages
AuthorEmma Jolly
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedDecember 1, 2013
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

This is a great book for you even if you do not know whether your female ancestors were involved with the war effort.

The book details a wide range of roles that women undertook during wartime.

For me, this is particularly interesting as I like to read the contributions of everyone during this time.

There are plenty of war documentaries on television and also in bookshops. But you don’t usually see or hear about women’s contributions.

This is a very useful aid in tracing your female ancestors’ military career.

There is particular emphasis on the Victorian era and the First and Second World Wars.

        

Show what records and resources are available!

As well as helping you to trace military records there are also numerous case studies throughout the book that will fascinate you.

So, as I have already said this is a great tool to trace your women at war ancestors.

Or even if you are interested in military history and women’s contributions.


My Ancestor Worked In The TheatreMy Ancestor Worked In The Theatre

I know that my grandparents and great-grandparents on my father’s side would enjoy going to the theatre quite regularly.

They would love to see the performers on stage sing, dance, and sing.

Despite not finding any relative of mine that performed on stage I am interested in this book.

It shows another part of British life that is not always explored.

It will also show you how you can trace numerous records and resources which is also quite fascinating as well.

My Ancestor Worked In The Theatre Details

Book TypeKindle
File Size5960KB
Pages101 pages
AuthorAlan Ruston
PublisherSociety of Genealogists Enterprises Ltd
PublishedSeptember 8, 2015
BUY HERE   ==>www.Amazon.comAlso available for Amazon Prime customers!

A brief history of the theatre!

This book gives a brief history of the theatre in Britain. It will also identify resources to help you, such as libraries and record repositories.

Drawing upon these resources you will be able to trace the careers of your ancestors in the theatre.

There are also examples included in the book that shows several showmen that were successfully traced and researched.

This will aid you in your genealogy research as well as inspire you.

        

Topics covered include:

  • Newspapers
  • Playbills
  • Biographies
  • Fairs and Circuses
  • Music Hall
  • Sources in Ireland and Scotland
  • Specialist Archives and Collections
  • And more

Thank You and Please Leave A Comment

I hope you enjoyed this review for the My Ancestor Was series of guides showing you how to find your ancestors and discover what they did for a living. If you have any questions or comments then please leave a comment below.

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Summary
Article Name
Find Your Ancestors Guides
Description
Find your ancestors and discover what they did for work. These 14 books will help you unearth your ancestors' occupation and get the records that you need.
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The Genealogy Guide
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