In order to learn about your china or dinnerware, the first thing you'll need to do is gather all the information you can about your set. All you need is usually written on the underside of your china. The marks you'll find there will usually include the manufacturer, the pattern name and the pattern number, if it's available.
Good marks are the key to information.
I'll tell them I have no idea what they have because Haviland made several hundred patterns with pink flowers and green leaves. But if you say 'I have the American Haviland with the Rosalinde pattern,' I'll know exactly what you're talking about. Some of the information is not found in these marks. In the plate pictured below, there is no pattern name or number, which is not uncommon. In this case, Lackey recommends you send a color photograph, drawing or a photocopy of the pattern by mail to a china matching service.