So find out what happened to the personal papers of ancestors who have already died. With some luck, a younger family member didn't throw it all away when Auntie's house was broken up. They may know who last had the 'good stuff' that will help you rebuild your ancestry. The oldsters might part with the old handed-down family papers if they're assured you will treasure, share, and safeguard them. People just don't usually throw away grandparents' marriage or birth certificates.
People usually save old newspaper obituaries.
Sometimes its stuffed in a family Bible. Assemble old family pictures, letters, and clippings. Talk about them and lightly pencil on the backs of the snapshots or old rare portraits who is in the pictures, when and where were they taken. Be willing to have fine copies made of the best ones that your relatives won't part with. Ask for copies and pay the ten bucks.