This should give the birth date, location and parents names. The person has to be deceased or yourself. Civil War Pension records may have a death certificate. But in the least should have spouse and children and may even have marriage info. Church records, parish, school records, civic groups, can all be valuable resources if they are available.
Letters can be a valuable piece of history.
I file mine alphabetically in a cardboard chest or drawers by name and date. The Internet can be a valuable source. I have some links you can try, but try the search engines for your family name. You can also put up your own home page and let others contact you. It will be easier for others to find you than trying to find them.