Strategy: Tenant Farmer Contracts
By Dale E. Lee and AI
2025.09.10
Railway Employment Records
Sometimes standard sources don’t tell the full story; or worse, don’t tell you anything at all! If your ancestor lived during the 19th or early 20th century, there’s a good chance they may have worked for the railroad. Railway employment records offer a surprisingly rich and underused trove of information, often including personal details, work history, and even pension records that can breathe new life into your family tree.
Why Railroads Matter in Family History
The expansion of the railway system was one of the defining features of the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in North America and Europe. Railroads were massive employers, offering steady work in a variety of roles; from engineers and brakemen to clerks, station agents, and maintenance crews. Because railroads were regulated and operated by large corporations, they kept extensive records on their employees.
For genealogists, this means that if your ancestor worked for the railway, you might be able to uncover a detailed professional timeline; sometimes stretching over decades. These records can fill in gaps between census years, clarify missing addresses, or even help explain migrations across states or provinces.
Types of Railway Employment Records
There are several categories of railroad records you might encounter, depending on the country and the company:
- Personnel Files: These often include hiring details, job title, promotion history, dates of employment, reasons for leaving, and sometimes even health records or conduct notes.
- Seniority Rosters: Used to establish promotions and job assignments, these rosters list employees and their dates of hire; very helpful for building a work timeline.
- Pension Records: If your ancestor retired from the railway, pension applications may include date of birth, dependents, years of service, and occasionally even a photograph.
- Accident Reports: Rail work was dangerous. If an employee was injured or killed, there may be detailed reports or investigations, sometimes including statements or testimonies from coworkers.
- Union Records: Railway workers were often unionized. Union membership rolls and meeting notes may provide more personal information, especially if the person was active in organizing or leadership.
- Railway Company Newsletters: Some companies produced newsletters or internal publications celebrating employee anniversaries, retirements, or events. These may mention your ancestor by name and offer a more personal touch.
Where to Find Railway Records
Finding railroad employment records takes a bit of digging, but many institutions hold collections of these records; some digitized, others only available in archives.
United States
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): NARA holds records for the Pullman Company, Interstate Commerce Commission accident reports, and other related collections.
- Railroad Retirement Board (RRB): Established in 1935, the RRB maintains records of employees eligible for retirement benefits. You can request information through a FOIA request if the employee is deceased.
- State Archives and Historical Societies: Many states maintain collections of railroad company records that operated in their region.
Canada
- Library and Archives Canada: Holds employment records from major railway companies such as Canadian National and Canadian Pacific.
- Provincial Archives: Especially in provinces like Ontario and Quebec, local archives may have company files or union-related materials.
United Kingdom
- The National Archives (Kew): Holds extensive railway employment records, especially from the pre-nationalization era (before 1948), including pension data and staff ledgers.
- Railway Museum in York: Offers additional resources, including rosters and photographs.
Online Resources
- Ancestry and Findmypast: Both platforms include digitized railway employment records from various countries, particularly the UK and Canada.
- FamilySearch: Offers access to union rolls, pension files, and some company records; though not all collections are indexed.
What You Might Learn
Railway records can tell you more than just where your ancestor worked. They can reveal:
- Full birth dates and sometimes birthplaces
- Specific job roles and duties over time
- Frequent moves or postings across different towns or regions
- Injury history or causes of death
- Family member names listed on pension applications
- Signatures and even photographs
When cross-referenced with census data or city directories, these details can flesh out a more complete picture of your ancestor’s life; especially useful in periods where they may have otherwise disappeared from public records.
Final Thoughts
Exploring railway employment records can be a fruitful strategy for research. These documents not only help track an ancestor’s movements and career but also provide insight into their daily lives, working conditions, and even personal values. For many, a job on the railroad was more than just employment; it was a lifelong career and a cornerstone of community identity.
So if your family has roots in an era or region where railways thrived, take a deeper dive into railway archives. You may find missing links; or even new stories you never expected.
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