Firstly, try to find out all the information you can from relatives, such as names, dates, address, occupations and religions.
Try to find any relevant documentation such as wills, birth, marriage and death certificates. Obtain further information from various sources. There are many publications and websites to help.
Take notes, try to draw up a rough family tree, confirm the earliest event that you are certain of and apply for a birth certificate. This will give you further family information and dates.
There are also many local family history societies who will be willing to help (see guide below for more information).
Read our useful guide:
Family History leaflet (pdf 67kb)
or, visit our family history page.