Is there a way of looking up ancestry information without knowing your father?

Question

All I know is his first and last name

Answer 1

Your birth certificate should say something like

Father: John Smith, 26 years old, native of Vermont.

That will give you two more clues. If your parents got married in a small town, the newspaper may have run a story about the wedding. That too will have clues. "John Smith,  son of Harold Smith and Marie Jones . . .)

His marriage license - again if he married your mom - may have his birthdate, birth place and parents' names.

None of these resources are on-line and the certificates may cost you money.

Answer 2

That's a start at least. Then have a guess at his age, where and when were you born. That's an indication of the country he lived in, it really is quite easy, and great fun.

Answer 3

Actually, if he is still alive it won't be of any use, because they can't put up records about living people. If you know the full name of one of his parents. Alternately, you could just forget that side and research your mother's side.

Answer 4

Just type in your last name.