Some basic free sources

Free genealogy sites (some which you may have to register to use all the features). All good, but strengths vary from site to site.  Some of these will lead you to other sites both commercial and free.

GenealogyWise: message boards for surnames, places/locations, events/announcements, pictures - http://www.genealogywise.com/

RootsWeb:  message boards for surnames, places/locations, events/announcements, mailing lists for same subjects, genealogies (Family Trees), databases, “how to”/helping aids - http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/

GenForum:  message boards for surnames, places/locations, events/announcements, genealogies (Family Trees), “how to”/helping aids - http://genforum.genealogy.com/

Cyndi's List: a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online both free and payment required. - http://www.cyndislist.com/

Linkpendium: a genealogical directory - http://www.linkpendium.com/

The USGenWeb Project! A group of volunteers working together to provide free genealogy websites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States. Lists, databases and links - http://usgenweb.org/

WorldGenWeb Project: a non-profit, volunteer based organization dedicated to providing genealogical and historical records and resources for world-wide access! http://www.worldgenweb.org/

FamilySearch (LDS): various databases and genealogies (Family Trees), worldwide in scope. Can also order in films through your local FHC (there is a fee). - https://www.familysearch.org/

Mocavo: a genealogy search engine - http://www.mocavo.com/

Heritage Quest, may be available through your library, contains some census records, PERSI, books, check your local library or FHC for possible access.

Book downloads -

http://archive.org/index.php

http://books.google.com/bkshp?hl=en&tab=wp

French (but does have some French-Canadian)

http://gallica.bnf.fr/?lang=EN