I would start with XHTML.
This is no harder to learn than HTML 4.01. This is a little more rigorous, which could facilitate the study. For example, in XHTML, all start tags must have end tags; it's best for you to learn this simple rule, and then start learning things that you just need to wean later. Use the w3schools.com tutorials, they are simple and straightforward, and they give you places to try and experiment while you study. In the end, this is the best way to find out. Finally, once you are well versed in HTML, I would learn CSS also from w3schools. Finally, I would learn HTML5.
Good luck
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