It's Labor Day here in the United States - a day which often has me thinking about the work my ancestors used to do. I've got coal miners, farmers, accountants, teachers - even a few writers like me. Researching an ancestor's occupation can tell you a lot about what their life was like, and provide clues for further research. If you run across a ripper or pettifogger in the family tree, try this Glossary of Old Occupations & Trades to learn what they really did to earn their keep.