Excellent ideas!

There are many other sites that provide an overview of 'getting started'. The link below is just one example. You can find others online OR at your library. One of the best books I've read in a while is "Finding a Place Called Home: A Guide to African-American Genealogy and Historical Identity" by Dee Parmer Woodtor ¹. Unfortunately, it is out of print . Fortunately, existing copies can still be found at a few public libraries.

Don't forget the resources you have around you.

After reading the 'Getting started' tips, talk to relatives.
See if you can complete at least a 3-generation chart. Then, using the family group sheets, record information on each generation of families (marriages, spouse info, children, in-laws, birth/death and burial info).

Do you live in or near the area? The local Library's Genealogical collection would be a good first trip.

If not, do you have any living relatives still in Lake Charles?
They would be your next contact - after your immediate family.

I am also researching families that lived in that area of the state. In fact, I had a close relative that was married to a Stewart from Calcasieu quite a while ago. It was a close knit community back then. Many families had lived there for three or more generations.

Tell me more about your Stewarts once you have more to tell.
When did they live there? Were they there by 1930? Later? Do you know where any of your Stewart ancestors lived? Where they are buried? Do you remember first names?

These are some of the questions you will ask and answer on your quest.

Welcome to the rewarding journey of genealogy!