I always think its good to start by interviewing all your older relatives to get as much information from them as you can. That first hand knowledge is so precious. Then find a good family tree software program (lots are free to download online) and start to record the information they have given you. By talking to people, someone might mention that there is someone else in the family they know who has already done some of the family history, so contact that person...and they hopefully will have more information to give you. Slowly build backwards from what you know to new people by finding a birth or baptism record, then a marriage record for the parents, then a birth record for one or both of the parents. All along the way, look for death records to complete the picture. And keep checking that what you are finding makes sense - dates, locations, occupations. Along the way, you'll learn about the various sites that can provide source information like www.familysearch.org, which is free to use. Others need a subscription, so it depends how much you want to spend. But whatever you do, make sure you get evidence of your conclusions as you go along. WikiTree is wonderful, because you will start to find relations who have already put some of your family up and you can link in with them.
