Can we transfer our old characters to Factions?

I know it's probably a question that was asked a million time but can you transfer your old GW characters to the Faction? I know that you don't lose all the stuff that you had in storage but how do you do the transfer or do you need to start all over again?

Thanks for your help...

search is your friend.. but for the 1millionth and 1 time this is answered.. theres a quest in Lions Arch that you can get from the Skills guy. It'll take you outside the LA gate where you meet up with mhenlo.. from there run in and talk to some chick by the boats.. and it'll say yes take me to cantha.. once there.. meet up with mhenlo and get welcome to cantha quest.. it's that easy.