This guide investigates the lives and work of ancestors employed in trades and crafts. Adèle Emm's handbook introduces numerous trades and crafts, detailing their practices, traditions, and the historical context in which they operated. It identifies and explains a wide array of genealogical sources available to researchers seeking information about these individuals and their families. The book covers specific trades such as butchers, bakers, candlestick makers, guilds, merchants, shopkeepers, builders, smiths, metalworkers, cordwainers, shoemakers, tailors, dressmakers, coopers, wheelwrights, and carriage-makers, among others.

This handbook is designed as a practical resource for family historians interested in uncovering the occupational history of their ancestors. It offers a structured approach to researching trades and crafts, providing both historical context and guidance on genealogical sources. The book's comprehensive coverage of various professions and research methodologies suggests it serves as a valuable tool for those seeking to understand the working lives of past generations. Its detailed exploration of specific trades and general archival resources aims to equip researchers with the knowledge needed to trace their artisan lineage.