Where to find employment records?

[martin mosley]

I am trying to research the working lives of my ancestors who worked in the iron and steel industries in the 19th century (also the railway industry) Is there anywhere I might be able to track down employment records, and if so where? Many thanks.

Martin

[suttontrust]

I think you would first need to know the names of the companies they worked for.  If those firms still exist, approach them directly to see if they have any records.  If not, the local record office might have some documentation.  It's not all that likely.

[Llwyd]

Can't help you with the steel industry but the National Archives has a very helpful information leaflet on railway companies..........

Railways:Staff Records.
Domestic Records Information 82.

Best of luck in your research.