1. Ask all of your realitives to tell you what they can remember about growing up. What relatives do they remember? Take a tape recorder with you and tape the conversations. You can go back over the tapes and write the information down later. New questions may come up after you start writing.
2. Check out the Family Bible. These can give invaluable information. This is an officially recognized source Record.
3. Go to the County Clerks office and check out the Death and Marriage Records. Many States won't allow access to Birth Records, so don't be too disappointed if you can't use them. Recorded Wills are public property and can give invaluable information to family connections. Land Deeds can give you the location to check out later for Census information.
4. Libraries carry vast amounts of varied information. Most have microfilm of Census information which can tell you family information, and who lived close by.
5. The LDS (Mormon Church of Latter Day Saints) has a wonderful collection of Genealogical research. They have computer abilities to research resources around the world on microfilm and fiche.
6. At some point, you will need to find how the family came over. Records of entry can send you looking in the right direction once you get over the ocean.
Were they transported prisoners after one of the wars? Were they transported from the Clearances? Did they come for the land that was available? Many ships came down the St.Lawrence Seaway to Montreal through Quebec City. These records are available at the National Archives in Montreal and the Library in Quebec City. Ellis Island wasn't the only port to America. This is why Census and Land records can help.