For most of us the best way to establish the correct line is to obtain vital records. Information can come from many sources which are considered secondary. However, they are also considered to be the most unreliable source of information. Anything you obtain from secondary sources must be confirmed. The best way to confirm information is to obtain vital records.

Nevertheless, once you start getting back beyond the nineteenth century there are no Government vital records, so you have to go to another original source which is church and town records.

In England, many death records are found through town clerks. You could go back to the mid 1600s. Town clerks kept all sort of information, including wills and land records.  You could discover a wealth of information regarding your ancestors. Death certificates are invaluable. They have dates and places of births & deaths, and record the names of the individual’s parents.  For example, a friend of mine was tracing his natural Father’s records and obtained his death certificate. His natural father died in Melbourne Australia, but he learned that his natural Father was born in Wales (Great Britain). My friend also learned the names of his natural grand parents. My friend was ecstatic because it opened a whole new line of ancestors.

So you should check town and church records for vital records. To find out where these sources are, check internet sources. Every country and state has links to local sources. Death certificates will often provide the missing links and open up new lines to research.

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