Based on the parochial chronicle of Nemški Rut, the land register of Franz I. and literature on the subject matter, the author analyses the living and working conditions in the upper Bača valley in the first half of the 19th century. According to the author’s findings, life was very harsh in this valley, as the arable land in some cadastral areas could provide a livelihood for only half ofthe population in these areas. The remaining inhabitants, in particular the male population, were forced to seek additional employment in the Goriška and other neighbouring regions, such as felling trees, glassmaking in small glassworks, potash burning and gathering tinder. The slow economic development of the region can be attributed in part to the poor communication links in this area.