“Follow in the footsteps of those who came before you,” they say. But what did those footsteps look like? Before a family becomes known for lawyers and businessmen, maybe there were farmers, craftsmen, or traders.
What if you looked a little further back?
If you’ve always been someone who loves working with your hands or you’ve always had the urge to pack a suitcase and wander around the world, the answers might just be rooted in your past. And by ‘past,’ we mean your ancestors.
Tracing a few branches of your family tree will have you wondering beyond the names and dates. Going beyond the basics by exploring their jobs, places they’ve lived, and even the meanings behind their names will help you uncover stories that can help you understand them as well as yourself.
Let’s dig into the details of your family lineage!
Why Your Ancestors' Jobs Matter
It’s tough to picture what life was like in the 1700s or 1800s, but the small details that connect us to our ancestors’ lives make the diving more exciting and rewarding!
If you’re on the path of tracing your family roots, looking into their jobs is something most will overlook. Because jobs weren’t just jobs back then. Jobs can shape identity, personality, community standing, and even transport them to other parts of the world.
Take coopers, for instance. Coopers are what we know today as barrel-makers, which was an essential trade back when everything from flour to fish had to be transported in barrels. If your great-great-grandfather was a cooper, he probably had very strong hands, an eye for detail, and a knack for woodworking. If your current obsession is DIY projects, now you know a little bit more about why.
Another one: If you discover that you have an ancestor who’s a 19th-century merchant sailor, he was likely away from family for long periods of time. Maybe you have the travel bug from this ancestor, which explains why you love adventure so much.
Exploring these details is a fun way to also connect with your ancestors. Even when they're long gone, you’d be amazed at how their traits live on through you!
What Locations Reveal
Knowing where your ancestors lived helps to explain what they went through.
Let’s say you find out that your great-grandmother was born in a coastal village somewhere in Scotland. That could explain why she had a seafaring husband or the ridiculous number of seagull souvenirs in your grandma’s house. Perhaps your great-granduncles moved to Detroit before the auto boom and then suddenly, your cousin’s career at Ford makes perfect sense.
Looking into addresses can also tell you something. For example, if an ancestor lived on “Mill Street,” chances are they worked at or near a mill, as naming conventions for streets and even surnames were often very much this simple in ancient times.
Helpful tip: You can check city directories and old census records to trace exactly where your relatives lived.
What Names and Surnames Can Tell You
Names are helpful clues in your genealogy research. Especially surnames.
For instance:
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The surname “Baker” probably means someone in your lineage made bread for a living.
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“Fletcher” comes from the old word that means arrow maker. Maybe you had an ancestor who made weapons for wars!
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“O’Brien” translates to “a descendant of Brian,” which could be associated with the legendary King Brian Boru of Ireland.
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“Johnson” or “Thompson” likely means “son of John” and “son of Tom.” This is a naming pattern used centuries ago to track family lineages.
Name origins add flavor to your family’s history. Pair it with what jobs they had and which places they went to, and you’ll start to build a very real and human portrait of someone who lived before you.
But how do you actually start this journey?
How to Start Your Own Search
To start tracing your family history:
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Start with the information you do know from stories told by your family and relatives.
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Next, do your research. Use online (Ancestry, National Archives, etc.) and offline resources (city libraries, directories, obituaries, employment records, etc.).
Tip: You’ll likely find results faster if you narrow your search using filters. -
Pay attention to details like job titles, ages, and addresses.
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Don’t forget images! You might stumble upon a picture of the ship your great-grandfather sailed on or a scan of an old business ad he placed in the papers. You might even find your coat of arms that can give more context to your ancestors’ stories.
How to know if you're researching the right ancestor? By knowing the townland or street where your ancestor lived, you’ll be able to narrow down which among all the Smiths are your Smiths.
Why you should know your ancestors' life details
Knowing your ancestors’ life details can help you make distinctions. For example, if there are 3 Uncle Steves in the family, it’s easier to recall them or tell stories about them (unless they have similar jobs, then you’re in for a deeper digging).
You might also discover how your ancestors fit into a larger picture in their time. When you zoom out, maybe your ancestor wasn't just a teacher, a merchant, or a tailor. They could be part of a union, some kind of fraternity, or even part of a revolution that changed the world! Suddenly, that dusty name on the census becomes someone who might’ve shaped the world you’re living in now.
Lastly, details make a great addition to a visual family tree for your wall! Not just showing names but telling interesting stories your family can share over dinners.
Bringing Your Family’s Past to Life
Sure, you can learn about any period of time in the world through history books and websites. But when you look at it through the lens of your ancestors' lives, it makes their lives very real and your research very rewarding.
Suddenly, the Industrial Revolution isn’t just a chapter in a textbook. It’s your great-great-grandfather sweating in a textile mill. World War II isn’t just dates and battles. It’s your grandmother rationing sugar or your great-uncle sailing in the navy overseas. Learning history this way isn’t just informative. It’s personal.
If you’re ready to build a family tree and start your genealogy search, make sure to combine the details about their occupations, locations, and the era they lived in! You'll gain a richer, more personal understanding of who your ancestors were.
Start your journey into finding your family crest.