A young boy sits atop a railroad car full of large lumps of anthracite coal. Standing next to the car are his father and grandfather. All three are dirty from their work in the mines

Credit: Photo by John Horgan, Jr./PHMC Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums/Anthracite Heritage Museum

Anthracite mining was a family affair. Sons began working at the mining facilities as early as eight years old. This photograph, taken in 1917, shows three generations of workers in Scranton, Pennsylvania.