Filling out the person

[Zen Rabbit]

I find filling out the lives the best bit! Libraries and local records offices are a good start for specifics on your family. Things like electoral rolls, apprentice records, wills, rent books etc are all useful. As are trade directories and county directories. Reading through old newspapers can be useful too. You may not always find your ancestors but you can get a feel for the times they lived in, which can often be quite surprising and not always how you expect.

[benny1982]

I have used newspapers to research London properties and workhouses my ancestors live or spent time in (workhouses).

[Dizzy600]

Have you tried 'googling' their name? You never know what may turn up and I have had some success...

Military records are another good source.

Good Luck.

[Zen Rabbit]

Lots of useful information above to add to that I found investigating relatives quite useful, I recently found out that my GGG Grandfather who was made chief warder of a gaol in 1875 had a cousin of the same name who was executed for murder in his gaol in that year. At first I thought that the name must have been just a curious coincidence but investigation has revealed a family connection. How must it feel to preside over the execution of a family member? And how would the rest of the family feel? Cousins, Aunts, uncles etc can help to give a broader picture to the lives of ancestors.