One aspect of genealogy I find most interesting is discovering the occupations of my ancestors. Here are some of the more interesting ways they supported their families.
sawyer – a sawmill owner, operator or worker
druggist
butcher
smith – a metal worker
ship carpenter
dressmaker
gold prospector
ferryman – the owner or operator of a ferry
stonecutter
vicar – a parish priest who receives a salary or stipend
stave mill operator – creates the narrow strips of wood for barrels
brick mason
blacksmith
shingle bundler
postmaster
railroad fireman – shovel coal into the firebox of the steam engine
joiner – a person who makes furniture and light woodwork
ship captain
jurist – a legal expert, lawyer, or writer
reverend
lumberman
collector of fines
surveyor of highways – monitor local road conditions, and arrange and supervise the work parties to maintain them
