janeaology tips

1. Human Resources: the most helpful thing is the relatives you know who are also interested in the family tree and have some information to start with. My grandfather had made a tree that had quite a bit of info. That's where I started. My other helpers are: my mother, her cousin John and his son Erik, and her cousin Terry. For the Rekas family, Greg's niece Melissa had done quite a bit of their tree in the 8th grade; it was great to put it online!
2. Free Software: I started entering my tree at http://www.myheritage.com/ and then was able to export this information in a genealogy file format called a GEDCOM. You download free software that is incredible. Everyone who is researching through MyHeritage can share matches, which allows you to grow your tree quite quickly.
3. GEDCOM: then I uploaded the .ged file to other sites, such at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ where you can also search without uploading.
4. Family Search: the LDS church has a vast database also at http://www.familysearch.org/ and it references their collection of microfilm which you can order to be viewed at one of their Family History Centers at your local LDS church.
5. Money: eventually you'll probably throw a little money at this and join http://www.ancestry.com/, but don't do that until you've got a family tree .ged file that you can upload. Once you do, they give you tips connected to vital records.