Many years ago I hired a genealogist in Holland to try to find info on my father's side. He sent me a list of about 5-6 generations back, which helped in conducting my searches on Ancestry.com. I actually found a photo of my Great-Grandfather that a collateral relative had posted. Turns out my father was named after him, and I couldn't believe the close resemblance. The info that went along with it said he worked for the railroad in Holland. He was actually dressed in his conductor's uniform in the photo. My father worked for the NY Central Railroad for over 50 years. He had been a track foreman for most of his years with the company.
Ancestry is a great site.