Online databases make it easier than ever to trace your own family history, and DNA testing allows for the type of deep research conducted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.  These links can help you get started.

Comprehensive Portals

http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/
Official genealogy portal for the US National Archives, contains guidance for genealogy research and diverse archives of American records

http://www.familysearch.org/
FamilySearch provides resources and is tied to real-world family history classes and Family History Centers around the world

http://www.progenealogists.com/
ProGenealogists offers paid research services but also provide a useful set of tools and links for getting started on your own.

http://www.genealogytoday.com/
Genealogy publication with advice on getting started, links, and more

https://www.worldvitalrecords.com/
One of the more popular paid genealogy database sites

Family Trees

http://www.misbach.org/pdfcharts/
Downloadable genealogy charts (pdf)

http://www.myheritage.com/
http://www.geni.com/
Social network-oriented family tree sharing sites

http://www.familytreemaker.com/
Popular genealogy software associated with ancestry.com

http://genealogy.lovetoknow.com/Draw_a_Family_Tree
Suggestions for making your own family tree

International Research

http://www.worldgenweb.org/
Volunteer-based organization for international genealogy

http://www.genealogylinks.net/
50,000 links sorted by region

Other Links

https://www.23andme.com/partner/foa/
Offers DNA testing resources to learn ancestry and personal health information.

http://www.footnote.com/
Access to more documents from the National Archives, with a set of tools for uploading, annotating, and sharing

http://www.digitalgenealogist.com/past.html
Three-volume journal on digital genealogy

http://www.usgennet.org/
Free and advertisement-free hosting of genealogy sites for educational purposes, public research, or study of national historic heritage

http://www.interment.net/
Cemetery records online

http://www.dnaheritage.com/
Information on DNA genealogy

http://www.genebase.com/
http://www.familytreedna.com/
DNA ancestry testing services

http://www.ellisisland.org/
Search for relatives who may have come through Ellis Island

http://www.progenealogists.com/genealogysleuthi.htm
Pro Genealogist’s guide to sites their genealogists use, with indications of which are free and which are paid