There are some important things to remember about back story when writing about a character. Number one is to have it, in a lot more detail than you're ever going to share with your reader. It's always a good idea to know not just this generation but the parents, possibly even grandparents, uncles, cousins, etc. because you want to know what makes this character him/herself. One of these characters may be important in your story or its prequel...or you may just want to know this for yourself. What tragedies form your character? What makes your character tick? Know this. Plot it out in some detail.
But don't share it in detail. The last thing you want to do is data dump within the first chapter. Sneak it into conversation. Use it as a source for drama. Show it as much as it can be shown. Turn it into meaning rather than a three-page filler when you can't think of anything else to do. Most people have to do some data sharing to get the reader up to snuff, but the less tell about the past you have to share as a narrator, the better. If you're going to share this as a narrator, try making the narrator unreliable. I'm telling you this, but I'm also the catty next door neighbor or the hated boss. Can I be trusted? Find a way to turn background into meaning and drama rather than filler, and your reader will thank you.
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