Family Tree Software
A variety of software is available to assist you with maintaining and presenting your family data. All of these programs have strengths and weaknesses. Some are free (share-ware), some are available commercially. I use Family Tree Maker, although I am not totally thrilled with it. GEDCOM files are used to move data from one type of software to another, for example, you can "import" one of my GEDCOMS into any other family tree software. Following are links to some of the available software items.
Brother's Keeper PAF5 (follow links to free downloads) Legacy Family Tree Ancestral Quest Ancestry Family Tree Family Tree Maker Other Genealogy Sites
Although much of the necessary data is still not available through the internet, an increasing amount of data is now available on-line. As with the software, some of the sites are free and some are commercial.
Rootsweb (and its cousin, USGenWeb) is one of the most important sites available. Rootsweb has a partnership with Ancestry.com, a commercial enterprise. Rootsweb will connect you with state and county pages. Also available through Rootsweb are transcriptions of a variety of documents. The transcriptions are submitted by volunteers. Some counties have large groups of volunteers who have devoted a great deal of time to transcribing records such as cemetery listings, census data and marriage records. Some of the other sites which I have found useful include:
Illinois State Archives Ancestry.com Family Search (Latter Day Saints) GenCircles
Finally, Cyndi's List provides links to hundreds of useful sites. It is always a good starting place when you are pursuing a new trail.