First let me say that I have had minimal success searching for my ancestors on the web.  This is probably due my lack on knowledge about my immediate ancestors (beyond my grandfather).  If you are starting out searching for ancestors the closer links are the ones to try to find first. A lot of that information is not on the web, and should not be on the web.  The reason that you don't usually find this kind of information is that the mother's maiden name is used a lot by banks to identify customers.  So I would suggest that when you do collect your information do not publish relatives that are within four or five generations of you.

Start your search with older relatives, and get as much information as you can prior to any web search.  Ask your relatives if there is already a list, like a family bible.  Research the hall of records where your ancestor(s) live(d).  If you are not near the town where your relatives live(d), then the best thing is to plan a trip to go there (No one has as much interest in your information as you do).  Often you may find someone on the web who is doing research in, or near that town who may be willing to lookup some information for you.  Finally the hall or records may also perform some service for a fee. 

With that said, here is my list of genealogy related web pages.  I am placing more emphasis on Gee related resources, but I have a few links of a general nature.