No matter if you're just getting started or have been doing this awhile the first rule for any genealogist is to document every relative in their tree.  Without such records they lack existence and remain merely names on paper. 
    The second rule is setup an email address that never changes if you move or change jobs, such as Gmail, Hotmail etc.
    And lastly, the greatest sin in researching your genealogy is to accept any bit of information found in cyber-space as fact.  
     With these in mind let's get started.

                          

                          Charting Your Ancestor's
     Print anyone of the basic charts on the FYI page,
and fill in a much information as you can starting with yourself as # 1 on the chart.
     Next, talk to your parents to make sure you list their information correctly.Ask the most important questions;
1. Correctly spell the father's full name.
2. Correctly spell mother's full and Maiden name. 
3. Date of birth.
4. Birth city, state, and country.
5. Date and Place married.
6. Spouse's full name.
7. Spouses birth city, state, country.
8. Was this spouse the only one or was there others? If so, which number is this one?
     But if one or both parents are deceased then you will have to apply for a copy of their birth certificates to write in the information you need to continue your direct line. Do this by going online to the state where they were born, click on the Bureau of Vital Statistics then Birth Certificates. Most states charge a nominal fee.
     From that first logon or trip to the library to find that elusive relative, you will become a detective of sorts. One who needs a filing system to easily locate all the bits of information you will come across. Some keep folders for each name they gather, some immediately input each name into the computer, with a back up disk of course, and some keep a zipped binder for each branch of the family so no paper falls out to become lost. 
     Whichever system you use every clue needs to be filed somewhere, and that somewhere should give you easy access.
     Next you will need a good software program to record your family braches.  The most widely used because of its ease is Family Tree Maker.  Available online, software or book stores.
     Now that your chart is started, you can begin your genealogy hunt.
     Good luck.

BEGIN SEARCH WITH
Family Bible
Birth Certificates
Cedar Chest mementos
Love Letters and Nick Names
Photos
Other Relatives--aunts, uncles, cousins for stories and information.

NEXT SEARCH
Cemeteries or burial records
Church & Baptism records
Estate Inventories
Land Deeds
Newspaper articles, social columns
School report cards
Service Records--civil war, world war I & II
State or county Archives
State or county Biographies
Wills and Probates

                            Internet Aids
Virtual Links
familylink.net

Social Networking Sites
ancestralmanor.com
bebo.com
facebook.com
myspace.com

                            FREE SEARCH

FamilyRelatives.com
familytreemagazine.com/stateguides
GeneBase.com
GovmarriageRecords.com
MyHeritage.com
rootsweb.com

                              Dead Ends
deadfred.com
desperategenealogist.com