If you're interested in finding out the Stories of Your Life, here's a few links to help you get started. I'll keep adding to this list, as I discover more.
General Searches
Google Yes, just Google. You'd be amazed what you can find through a simple search engine.
Google Newspaper Archives There are paid "newspaper archives" on-line, but Google's archives is fairly extensive, and free. I've had more luck here than on the paid sites, particularly with the papers in the late 1800's/early 1900's.
The Ship List Passenger lists, ship descriptions, stories, etc. If you know where your family may have originated from, and maybe what general year they may have arrived, this site can prove invaluable. Alot of ancestors came to North America at a set period of time - for example the Irish came enmasse during the Great Famine (1845-1852), and again during the Troubles (1916-1922).
Headstones / Cemeteries
Cemeteries are a wealth of information, and thankfully over the past decade or so, some very helpful volunteers have spent countless hours documenting and photographing headstones and gravemarkers.
Canadian Gravemarker Gallery A phenomenal resource. I've spent countless hours searching through these photos, and have solve numerous mysteries thanks to this site.
Find A Grave This site is particularly useful for American headstones, although it does encompass cemeteries around the world. Includes details and stories for many, contributed by users to the site. Again, it's helped me solve mysteries and led to new avenues of search.
Ancestors at Rest I find this site a bit cumbersome at times, but they do have information that other sites don't offer. Worth a try from time to time.
Field of Stones includes mostly abandoned and pioneer cemeteries in Ontario, Canada.
Ye Olde Bone Yards of Halton, Peel & York great blog that highlights some of the lesser known cemeteries in the Halton, Peel, and York Regions of Southern Ontario.
Census Data
Census Data is invaluable, and there are several sources available online for various countries around the globe. One word of caution - census forms were often filled out by third parties (particularly where the members of the household could not write or read), in dubious handwriting. So spelling mistakes and errors in interpretation are common. You'll grow to recognize the common spelling errors in your family members names, but sometimes you need to "think outside the box" in determining if that "Juhnne Smytte" is really YOUR "John Smith".
Automated Genealogy Great resource for Canadian Census information. Not 100% complete, but worth a good look.
Canadian Census Collection The official Canadian Government website for the Census.
Soldiers / Military
Canadian Soldiers of WW1 A wealth of information to be found here including copies of the original Attestation Pages filled out by the soldiers before going to war.
Area Specific Sites - Pontiac, and Outaouais Quebec Region
ByTown or Bust Absolutely FABULOUS source of information about the Ottawa Valley Area.
The Pontiac Drifter is a site created by Larry Kenney, and includes a wide range of interesting information and photos of the Pontiac Region.
Outaouais Heritage WebMagazine Filled with fascinating history, photos, etc.
Area Specific Sites - Northern Ontario
ByTown or Bust Absolutely FABULOUS source of information about the Ottawa Valley Area. (yes, I'm repeating this - it is that good as a resource for anyone with family from the Quebec-Ontario region).
Sudbury's Virtual Museum
Little Claybelt Memories (Teminskaming Shores Library)
Lake of the Woods Virtual Museum
Nipissing Ontario GenWeb project I haven't fully explored this website, but I have used it numerous times as a good source for new off-shoots and confirmation of assumptions.
