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 these records they lack existence and remain merely names on paper. 
    The second rule is setup an email address that never changes in case you move or switch jobs, such as Yahho, 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, or assuming it's fact.
    Never Assume, any name, identity, heritage, date, even those on grave markers, are correct.
Names were easily discarded and new ones accepted back then, just as a nick name was assumed as a realtive's real one, countries not liked were exchanged for one that was. 
     Use soundex but sparingly.  Most forget to consider that soundex will not always work.  If a surname is Edwards it will be indexed different than Edward and both with not be shown together.
     Nick names were much preferred and a birth  name may never be used but in childhood.
     With all 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

Free Search Engines
Ancestorhunt.com  as 2 Surname SE's
CensusDiggins.com

Virtual Links
familylink.net

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

                            FREE SEARCH

ARC--archival research catalog (US)
archive.org  (orginally the Way Back Machine)
blm.org (land patents)
Civil War Soldiers and Sailors
commonwealth war graves commission
Cyndi's List
distantcousin.com
Ellis Island.com
familyrelatives.com
familysearch.org
familytreemagazine.com/stateguides
genebase.com
geneabios.com
gnealogical server (genserv for gedcom)
govmarriagerecords.com
heritagequest.com
IGI (internation genealogical index)
ingeneas database (canadian immigration)
internment.com
ISTG--Immigrant Ship Transbribing Guild
MyHeritage.com
rootsweb.com
worldgenweb.com
usgenweb archives
us social security death index

                              Dead Ends
deadfred.com
desperategenealogist.com