With old homes it can be very difficult to properly ventilate the attic for a variety of reasons.
How to ventilate a roof without soffits.
For an attic without soffit vents you may have the option to use gable vents instead.
If i had an older home without soffits i would strongly consider just completely air sealing the attic and adding foam insulation totally removing the need for ventilation.
How to build an insulated cathedral ceiling.
To install under shingle vents you must remove the first few rows of shingles and cut a 1 inch channel into the roof deck about 6 inches from the edge taking care not to cut into the roof joists.
Typically you would have a gable vent on each end of the attic.
Remove the first few rows of shingles to expose the roof deck.
Venting solutions for roofs with no overhang or soffit.
How to vent a roof without a soffit.
And that 2 inch becomes an overhang at the edge that provides the intake ventilation for the soffit.
It s possible to build an unvented roof one without soffit vents or ridge vents that performs well.
Measure up from the edge of the roof far enough to allow for airflow.
Here is a link to an article that explains the right way to build an unvented insulated roof assembly.
Normal vented air likes to enter the attic lower down near the bottom third of the attic and as it passes through it will exit higher up near the top third of the attic space.
Smart vent a special roof eaves vent product that provides a 3 4 opening about 6 above the top of the roof drip edge.
Install special roof intake venting products that work at the lower edge of the roof decking underneath the first course of shingles.