The Working Town

How Melrose Made Its Living

Every occupation here is taken straight from the census record. We do not guess at anyone's work. When the census named a person's trade, that trade is shown; when it did not, the person simply is not counted here. Living people are not shown at all. Open an occupation to meet the documented people who did that work, each one traced to a source. The number beside each name is how many of their people are published on the live maps.

Farmer1110 people documented Homemaker392 people documented Farm Laborer297 people documented Laborer234 people documented Domestic Servant123 people documented Railroad Worker86 people documented Teacher79 people documented Merchant/Shopkeeper66 people documented Coal Miner44 people documented Carpenter30 people documented Housekeeper27 people documented Clerk/Office Worker20 people documented Driver17 people documented Janitor/Caretaker15 people documented Salesperson15 people documented Blacksmith13 people documented Tailor/Seamstress13 people documented Machine Operator12 people documented Manager/Supervisor12 people documented Mechanic11 people documented Engineer9 people documented Hotel/Boarding Keeper9 people documented Mail Carrier9 people documented Clergy8 people documented Physician8 people documented Insurance/Finance7 people documented Telegraph Operator7 people documented Barber6 people documented Miller6 people documented Painter6 people documented Saloon/Bar Keeper6 people documented Shoemaker6 people documented Restaurant Worker5 people documented Butcher/Meat4 people documented Postal Worker4 people documented Public Official4 people documented Agent3 people documented Machinist3 people documented Pharmacist3 people documented Cooper2 people documented Harness/Saddle Maker2 people documented Inspector2 people documented Lawyer2 people documented Wagon/Carriage Maker2 people documented Welder2 people documented Gunsmith1 person documented Nurse1 person documented Watchmaker1 person documented

The occupations come from the census rolls, the single best record of who did what in a small town. As more census years are read, more of the town's working life will appear here. You can also meet the families or browse all the people from A to Z.