How to research family tree?

ceewash

Have you tried the Later Day Saints site? https://www.familysearch.org/en/
They have many records and its all free. You can also start to build your tree online.

Taplledraw

If it is an unusual name look at the Guild of One Name Studies Website if you contact a member they have to reply and the information they give out is free hopefully they will have something on yours if it is a listed name. Please never believe the trees on Ancetry etc many are wrong and can have you researching the wrong family with the same name. Look and see if papers local to the area you want have papers online many events mentioned the relationship to the person involved which can give a clue particularly with married ladies whose surnames have changed. Go onto facebook forums for the area you are researching and ask for advice. Local family history groups often do free sessions in libraries and will all help you out. The General Registry Office is free to register with and will help you search for mothers maiden names if you do not know them to help identify the correct certificate. Be aware brothers/cousins often married sisters so had the same names the same applies to census sometimes a chap could have two(or more) wives with the same forename (ideally not at the same time) Enjoy the hobby but as people say it is addictive!

LDSgroover

There are over 75 free family history centres in England & Wales open to anyone who wants to use them, all run by volunteers. They won't do your research for you, but they will get you started. Find you nearest FamilySearch library at familysearch.org/locations

TBagpuss

You should be able t o find, and join, a local family history group. Try googling 'family history' and the name of the county where you live, as a starting point.

You my also be able to find evening classes, and your local library or record office may also have resources.

There are lots of publications so try your local library for some introductory books.

Speaking to older members of your family can also be useful, but where possible try to double-check what you are told. Word of mouth can be unreliable, and information may be hidden or blurred, either because things were less acceptable in the past, or because people mis-remember or forget.