PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE read some "how to" books on the subject.
There are many “how to” books out there on basic aspects of genealogy research. EVERYONE should read at least one (two or three is better, authors emphasize different aspects of genealogy). No one has the time to write you a book on the internet to help you find your ancestors. I see a lot of people who want to help but they do not really know what they are doing – often the blind leading the blind. If your local library doesn’t have any genealogy “how to” books then try to get them by interlibrary loan. You must understand the basics and terminology of your craft. All your research cannot be done on the internet.
A very few titles for basic research are:
Val Greenwood's RESEARCHER'S GUIDE TO AMERICAN GENEALOGY (sometimes referred to as the genealogist’s bible)
Norman Wright's BUILDING AN AMERICAN PEDIGREE, which is no longer in print but very good so check your used book dealers.
ANCESTRY'S GUIDE TO RESEARCH: CASE STUDIES IN AMERICAN RESEARCH, by Johni Cerny & Arlene Eakle
KNOW YOUR ANCESTORS by Ethel W. Williams.
SEARCHING FOR YOUR ANCESTORS by Gilbert H. Doane.
SHAKING YOUR FAMILY TREE: A BASIC GUIDE TO TRACING YOUR FAMILY'S GENEALOGY by Ralph J. Crandall.
THE TRACE TOUR OWN ROOTS WORKBOOK, by Norman Brown
TRACING YOUR ANCESTRY by F. Wilbur Helmbold.
THE TROUBLESHOOTER'S GUIDE TO DO-IT-YOURSELF GENEALOGY, by W. Daniel Quillen
UNPUZZLING YOUR PAST by Emily A. Croom
YOUR FAMILY HISTORY, by Allan J. Lichtman
There are also a number of books showing how to use the computer to do genealogy as well as for various ethnic and religious groups.
See also:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gentutor/tips.html
http://www.cyndislist.com/beginner.htm
http://www.comportone.com/cpo/genealogy/articles/26tips.htm
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bridgett/101a.htm
http://home.iprimus.com.au/crothwell/Research.htm
One of the pitfalls of genealogy is the various terms one may come across. A handy dictionary doesn’t have the word (i.e. no longer being used) or the definition doesn’t make sense (cool - not meaning cold, but meaning “neat” - not meaning tidy!). Well a little searching & reading on your part can often provide the answer.
You should always read about any project you take on to learn proper procedures, terminology and what tools you will need. The same applies to genealogy. Most “how to” or beginning genealogy books have glossaries or at least define terms in the various chapters of the book. This is your starting point. See also: https://mmgs.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/genie-dictionaries1.pdf
