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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: buttercup on Saturday 19 July 25 09:46 BST (UK)

Title: Career history
Post by: buttercup on Saturday 19 July 25 09:46 BST (UK)

Hi,

Not really after a specific look up, more a request for suggestions.

My dad, in his old age, has become curious as to the employment of his father during the 1930s Sydney depression era.

We know what he did during the war, and afterwards, but as the depression was a bit before my dad's time, he has become curious. He has a strong feeling his dad was working and not out of a job, but not sure doing what.

Any suggestions how one might go about this type of research? Totally understand that we might never know!

Thanks for reading.

Title: Re: Career history
Post by: Neale1961 on Saturday 19 July 25 09:49 BST (UK)

Electoral rolls in the 1930s have occupations noted.
It may just say something like "labourer" or "clerk" , so detail may be limited.

Title: Re: Career history
Post by: maddys52 on Saturday 19 July 25 10:45 BST (UK)

We had a similar query in our family, though we had an inkling as to what my grandfather was doing in the 1920s. We had been told he was a jackaroo, working in rural areas for a few years. Never quite found out definitively, however there was a newspaper report that mentioned my grandfather's name (unfortunately a very common name), in rural NSW where we thought he might have been.

So, newspapers may give some clue if you are lucky
https://trove.nla.gov.au/

Also, depending on the State he was in, the NSW Archives have some interesting employment information, as does Prov in Victoria.
https://mhnsw.au/collections/state-archives-collection/
https://prov.vic.gov.au/

Title: Re: Career history
Post by: sparrett on Sunday 20 July 25 00:51 BST (UK)

Depending when he married.
If it was during those depression years, his marriage certificate will indicate his employment at the time.

Sue