@96a215a6 
I use a lot of online sites, like Ancestry and My Heritage, and correspond directly with some Vital Records departments.

My mother's whole family is in the UK, which has a GRO (General Records Office) online, which is very helpful.  

It's very addicting, but you need a high tolerance for frustration.  (I'm stubborn, which helps.)  It is fascinating and humbling to see what past generations lived through.