When I first started researching the Family Tree, I looked high and low for information before subscribing to anywhere. We were lucky enough to find loads of it. On ocassion, we'd come across words, places and things that we had a) never heard of, or b) didn't know anything about.
Then I started using Google Books. There is loads upon loads of information about all sorts of topics on there, and although some books only have limited previews, there are books that are available to view or download in their entirity.
(If you go to google.com, then click on the 'more' link at the top of the page, click on Books, then click on Advanced Search, right next to where you put a search in, and you can select Full View Only)
That way you're not dissapointed when searching for something, and then finding it's not available to read, unless you buy the book.
Try typing in the surname you're looking for, with the word genealogy, and just see what comes up. And don't just look at the first page of searches, then close because you couldn't find anything useful. Keep looking!
Ocassionally you'll get a surprising find and feel like you've struck gold.
I've found books that cover origins and history of names, and a few books that have followed over 600 years of particular families.
If you're anything like me, you can get lost for hours just reading up about what life might have been like for our ancestors, what trials and tribulations they went through, clothing, food, industry, etc.
It's an excellent FREE way to find out a lot of good information.
