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Getting Started
Where do I begin?
The most asked question of all.
the
following sites will help.
Genuki
the A-Z of Genealogy
Site for Beginners
GED2HTML
A GEDCOM to HTML Translator
The main thing first is to get yourself organized , some people like to just keep paper records , while others prefer to use a computer program , good one free to download from the net is PAF.5 from the LDS, but at the end of the day , it is what you are most comfortable with , is what counts.
You have to work backwards from today. Also try and research your Maternal & Paternal side separately ,as you can soon go astray.
You also need to keep your records up to date , as can be confusing later, especially when people had the same name passed down through the ages.
One thing to remember is PROOF , the one thing that counts , many people have gone down routes without proving the links and have spent a lot of time and effort only to find they have to start again.
Mainly this is done by Birth , Marriage & Death certificates and before 1837 , by Parish records etc.
So obtaining any certificates from the family is very important.
If you wish to preserve the documents you can obtain special folders , again from Genealogy sources. It is a good idea to copy the certificate and use the copy when you go researching thus lessening damage to the certificate, after all they are historical documents.
If you have elderly relatives , then this is a great deposit of information. Although there a danger you can stir up bad memories , I recommend Eve McLaughlin's 'Interviewing Elderly Relatives', available from good Genealogy sources.
Family stories are another source , although again treat as a guide until proof has been established. Stories are embellished through the years and ,I have found while researching ,that they can lead to many a goose chase ie: one lady had story of family coming from Wells or Wales , and was convinced until we found they came from Exeter and then everything landed into place.
These are well worth joining , for a few pounds/dollars a year , you get access to unrivalled local information. They also produce several types of index ie: Census , monumental Inscriptions etc.This site, I hope, will lead you to lots of answers.
But one thing I can guarantee
, you will get the 
Good luck in your research
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