Not everything is on the Internet. Even most information from as recent as the 1980s isn’t. A not insignificant percentage has been digitized (this is an ongoing effort), but this doesn’t mean you can just google it or access it through a website.
If you know where and when your ancestors lived, hit up local, regional and national archives. Church and municipal records, national surveys, newspapers (useful for announcements of births and deaths alone), school and university records, etc. You’d be surprised by how much you can find this way. If you’re living too far away to visit in person, give them a call. Archivists are very helpful people by nature and occupation.
Not everything is on the Internet. Even most information from as recent as the 1980s isn’t. A not insignificant percentage has been digitized (this is an ongoing effort), but this doesn’t mean you can just google it or access it through a website.
If you know where and when your ancestors lived, hit up local, regional and national archives. Church and municipal records, national surveys, newspapers (useful for announcements of births and deaths alone), school and university records, etc. You’d be surprised by how much you can find this way. If you’re living too far away to visit in person, give them a call. Archivists are very helpful people by nature and occupation.