The article deals with the archival materials regarding one of the subjects of the domestic history that has not been thoroughly studied - the history of fishery unions of Murmansk fisheries in the period of Murman colonization in the 1860-1930s. The author carries out the analysis of one of the production categories in its historic dynamics. The social, economic analysis of the category of “auxiliary workers” is carried out. The results of the prerevolutionary sociologic research are given. It is proved that the category of “auxiliary workers” is not an age category, but a professional one.