I first got started in Wikipedia working on the New York State list of National Historic Landmarks. When I started, this was a good area for a new person in Wikipedia, as the topics are pretty clearly notable and there are good on-line sources available (a nation-wide PDF list that the National Park Service provides, individual NHL webpages at the NPS, and NHL/NRHP nomination documents for each one). By focussing on developing the lists and including sources, I could contribute to Wikipedia without encountering very much of the negativity and tearing down that I'm afraid many newbies encounter.
I first got started in Wikipedia working on the New York State list of National Historic Landmarks. When I started, this was a good area for a new person in Wikipedia, as the topics are pretty clearly notable and there are good on-line sources available (a nation-wide PDF list that the National Park Service provides, individual NHL webpages at the NPS, and NHL/NRHP nomination documents for each one). By focussing on developing the lists and including sources, I could contribute to Wikipedia without encountering very much of the negativity and tearing down that I'm afraid many newbies encounter.