• To begin with you may wish to purchase or borrow a "how-to" book on family history research. A beginner's guide is available from the Paradise Genealogical Society for less than $5.00 and is a good first step. Once you've looked the Beginner's Guide over, you may want to move on to something a little more in-depth, such as an old standby, The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy, by Arlene Eakle and Johni Cerny. Or try one of my favorites, Genealogy Online for Dummies, by Matthew and April Leigh Helm, obviously geared toward research online.
• Crucial to compiling your family history, you must have a method of organizing, recording and storing your data. This can be done with paper "pedigree" charts and family group sheets, with a specialized genealogical software program or ideally with a combination of these. Charts can be obtained online through a family history center or genealogical library, or you can create your own. Software can be found online at discount warehouses such as Costco, or most any retail location that sells software. Prices on software can vary anywhere from free to $80-$100. I personally use Family Tree Maker, though I've heard many others are just as good, and probably less expensive.
• Once you get more extensively involved you may want to establish an archival filing method. That will allow you to preserve the precious documents you may discover or purchase in your research, such as photos, vital statistics certificates, census documents, and the like. Unfortunately this can get expensive, but it's certainly worth it in the long run since you will be documenting and preserving a tangible record of your heritage for yourself and future generations in your family.
• Speaking of archival methods, make certain that any materials you use for recording and storing your information are of acid-free archival quality. This would include photo albums (DO NOT USE "MAGNETIC" ALBUMS), ink pens (DO NOT USE FELT TIP), adhesives or tapes (please don't use "scotch" or masking tape), document sleeves, file folders, notebooks and framing. Inferior materials will not last and will quickly destroy the items you are so diligently trying to preserve. Check for these items with your local arts & crafts supplier, a quality stationer or similar online supplier.

Happy family history hunting