How Do I Start?

[rew213]

I am totally new to this type of thing. My aunt long ago had a family history researched dating back to the Revolution. But when she passed away her less than intelligent husband destroyed everything. That was before I was interested in researching this, or even knew about it.
My father was given the same name as his grandfather (my great grandfather) Robert Jackson. Family rumor has it that this was in honor of General Thomas Jackson, under whom either his father or grandfather served in the Army of Northern Virginia. The earliest record I can find of my great grandfather is a PA Census listing in 1900, after they reportedly moved to PA from West Virginia.
From there the trail goes cold. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to find anything further back, what I might look for or where?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

 

[Robtweb1]

I believe that most of the 1890 census records were destroyed in a fire. You can try local records (marriage records, land records, death records) if you know where they lived in WV. The is a website at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ that has a lot of resources that are free for the most part.

 

[5fish]

What town and county in West Virginia is your family form? What is the name of the family member or members alive in that town form 1840's to the 1870's?