Help with researching family history! Please help!?

Question:

Help with researching family history! Please help!?

I have most of the names going back to my great great grandparents. I also have a few historical events through talking with family that actually happend.

Now what's next?

How do I find official newspaper articles and other documents that I can print or copy? Any online resources would be better because not all of my family lives and came from the state I live now.

Where can I find free public records (Companies charge but if it's public I know it should be free.) of my relatives dating back 1900 - back?

Any advice and resources would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Ted Pack has a very good point. (well except the underwear thing, but that is just me :-) )

I forget what I pay to use Ancestry.com but it is well worth it. In 4 years, I have been able to make contact in every country my ancesters come from (England, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, France, Norway and many more - my, my, I am starting to feel like a mutt.)