May Family History, Genealogy & Ancestry

The May Family

11,556 May records from public death, burial and census records and the old county histories, in all 12 Midwestern states we cover. Every name is a real person in the public record, and we follow set rules to leave living people out (how).

11,556Records in our database

1825Earliest birth

4Documented families

4Biographies

See the May family trees →655 May families pieced together from public birth and death records, county histories and old newspapers

At a glance

11,556 May records in our database

From public death, burial and census records across 12 Midwestern states. We follow set rules to leave living people out (how). Tap a state or a decade to narrow the list of ancestors below.

Where

fewer more

When they were born

Most records: Ohio (2,341 of 11,556)
Most common birth decade: the 1910s
Earliest birth in the database: Samuel E. May, born 1825, Illinois

Most common first names

John285 William279 Mary249 James243 Robert224 Charles187 George131 Helen114 Joseph107 Margaret102 Dorothy100 Walter98

Documented families

May families we have traced

Written from county histories and public records, every fact cited. We follow set rules to leave living people out (how).

Family histories, generation by generation (2)

The May family of Allamakee CountyIowaStarts: Alonzo Martin May (b. 1838)Most recent: Paul Davis May (b. 1876)The May family of Pickaway CountyOhioStarts: George J. May and Mary (Heim) May (b. 1832)Most recent: Charles H. May (b. 1873)

Family records from county histories (2)

James Madison May d. 1912Audubon County, IowaStarts: James Madison MayMost recent: George Albert May George Albert May b. 1884Audubon County, IowaStarts: James Madison May & Mary E. WertsMost recent: Carl Hayden May

The earliest Mays in the county histories

John MayBorn 1808Lucas County, Ohio Henry MayBorn 1817Child of James MayMadison County, Ohio John T. MayBorn 1827Child of James May and Jane (Terrode) MayClark County, Ohio G. MayBorn 1828Child of John May and Nancy (Hight) MayAppanoose County, Iowa John MayBorn 1829Logan County, Ohio Michael MayBorn 1830, Montgomery CountyAtchison County, Missouri

Family trees from the public record

655 May families: parents, brothers and sistersFrom state birth and death indexes, county histories and old newspapers, most recent deaths first

In the county history family index

45 May people in 28 countiesBirth years, birthplaces, parents and spouses, from the old county histories

Biographies from the county histories (4)

Alonzo Martin MayBorn 1838 · Allamakee County, Iowa Edward P. MayBorn 1850 · Pickaway County, Ohio Milton Franklin MayBorn 1867 · Pickaway County, Ohio Frank L. MayBorn 1873 · Allamakee County, Iowa

Done-for-you research

Trace your documented May family

Found your May? We trace your family back as far as the records go and write it up as a family history book, every source cited. No DNA test and no sales call: we take a free first look, then email you a plan and a flat price before you spend a dollar.

Common questions

May genealogy: FAQ

Where were May ancestors recorded?

Our database holds 11,556 May records from all 12 Midwestern states. The most are in Ohio (2,341), then Missouri (2,247) and Illinois (1,544).

How far back does the May family tree go?

The earliest May birth in our database is 1825: Samuel E. May, Illinois. We have pieced together 655 May family trees from public birth and death records.

Are living May family members listed here?

Not knowingly. We follow set rules to leave living people out of our public pages. If you find a living relative listed here, email us and we will take the record down.

Is this my May family?

Maybe. Many people share a name, so treat any match as a possible match until the dates and places line up with what you know about your family. Every person here links to their own page with the details, and we can trace your line for you.