Hello Memm,
There are various ways of finding out about our ancestors but the simplest methods are by sending for Birth, Marriage or Death certificates and through censuses, up to 1911, which is the latest one available to us.
A birth certificate should have both parents' names and mother's maiden name and the occupation of the father, as well as at least part of an address. If a child was illegitimate, the father's name is likely to be missing.
A marriage certificate should have the full names, occupations, ages and addresses of both partners, plus the names and occupations of their fathers. It will usually also tell you if their fathers are deceased at the time of the marriage.
Death certificates can give former occupations, ages and sometimes the name of a spouse. But they will also have an informant's name, which can be very useful as this was often another family member.
Census returns ( taken every ten years and searchable online from 1841 - 1911) give masses of information on occupations, where someone was born as well as where they were on the night of that census etc. You will often find siblings, grandparents and all sorts of other really useful information this way.
Lots of Rootschatters are very happy to help you to find these elusive ancestors so do please keep asking questions and we'll do our best to help.
Jen
