Ancestry Help...stuck on finding parents?

Question:

Ancestry Help...stuck on finding parents?

I've had great success doing geneology for my family...for years. Until now...I'm STUCK!

I know all about a person who was born in 1865...his life, marriage, date of death, etc.
However, I am totally unable to find out who his parents are. All that I know is that they came from Germany, and he was born in Ohio.

Without birth records (weren't available at the time), or clear information on ANY of the images I have obtained, what is the best way to try to track down his parents?

Even the death records did not have the information, unfortunately.

Additional Details

6 months ago
I think I got the information that it was not required (by law) to have birth records until some later time (1890's?), so I don't know where to even start looking for a birth record.

We've obtained the death record, which unfortunately did not list the names of his parents (by some fluke).

I've researched many of those websites extensively, but I really am hitting a brick wall.

Thank you all so much for your help, though. There are a couple of ideas I may try here.

Unfortunately, it was sort of a common name, so it looks like I will be kept busy for awhile!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: 6 months ago
I think I got the information that it was not required (by law) to have birth records until some later time (1890's?), so I don't know where to even start looking for a birth record.

We've obtained the death record, which unfortunately did not list the names of his parents (by some fluke).

I've researched many of those websites extensively, but I really am hitting a brick wall.

Thank you all so much for your help, though. There are a couple of ideas I may try here.

Unfortunately, it was sort of a common name, so it looks like I will be kept busy for awhile!