Welcome to the Kay Family page at Surname Finder, a service of Genealogy Today. Our editors have compiled this checklist of genealogical resources, combining links to commercial databases along with user-contributed information and web sites for the Kay surname. As additional sources for vital records, original documents, vintage photographs and surname-based DNA projects are discovered, this page is updated to offer the best list for researching Kay ancestry. Share this page on Twitter!
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The Kay Family Tree
Everyone has different reasons for building a family tree; your personal motiviation will influence whether the Kay family tree has more depth or breadth. Have you struck a Kay brick wall? Read "Genealogical Research Habits" for some helpful advice.
Best Tree Collections for Discovering Kay Ancestors
Kay Genealogy
Keep an open mind when searching through Kay records. Years ago many people were unable to read and write, thus a given ancestor's name could be spelled in a variety of ways depending on who recorded it. If you want to know How can city directories be used to help my Kay research?, then read this frequently asked question.
Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Kay
Census records are among the most useful records available for family tree building.
There are currently matching Kay records at Ancestry.com!
Start exploring this online Kay family history resource today.
Death Records
Military Records
Origins of the Kay Surname
There are no clear, concise answers to why or how one of your Kay ancestors took on the surname. It may have been based on their occupation or a distinguising physical trait. Keep in mind that it was not unusual for a last name to be altered as an ancestor entered a new country.
Kay DNA Projects
DNA testing for genealogy continues to improve. If you had some of your Kay relatives tested several years ago, it may be worthwhile to have them retested. Likewise, as DNA testing companies have gathered more results and samples, you may be able to find more matches if you search again with your test results. If you're not sure how DNA testing could aid your Kay research, read "Utilizing DNA in Family History Research".
Kay Family History
Every family has a different history, and every document you discover about your Kay ancestors will help paint a picture that can be shared with your relatives. Whether you are a beginner or expert genealogists, knowing How do I find my Kay family history on the Internet? is always useful.
Photo Collections
Networking with Kay Researchers
In doing genealogy research, we surely don't want to reinvent the wheel; in researching your Kay surname, posting a message query can help you connect with distant cousins and others who may be working on the same lines, some of whom may have advanced the research or solved some of the hard problems, but are willing to share. The article "The Art of Posting Queries" provides some valuable tips for posting successful Kay queries.
You may also want to consider posting a query to the Community Message Boards at Genealogy Today to get assistance from other researchers on your most elusive Kay ancestors.
Kay Achievements & Celebrities
Did you know that Kay was the 1508th most popular surname in the 1990 census of the United States?
Web Sites & Blogs with Kay Research
If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Kay, contact the folks at ProGenealogists for a free research estimate. You may also find it helpful to read, "When, Why and How to Hire a Professional Genealogist."
RootsWeb search of US Naturalization Records
RootsWeb search of Obituary Daily Times
RootsWeb search of Social Security Death Index
To recommend your web site/blog for inclusion on this page, please submit a link to the user-contributed directory at Genealogy Today. Your web page may appear once its content has been reviewed by our editors.
Recently Discovered KAY Clippings and Mentions
Upcoming Kay Family Reunions
One key to a successful Kay reunion is preparation, and for the family researcher that means getting the word out in advance on what to bring (such as the family photo collection); arranging for the display of shared information; and planning activities conducive to sharing; and one of the best ways to get others to participate is in bringing something of your own to share such a picture pedigree, compiled family history or biographical sketch, or even a copies of a treasured photo as a gift for each family -- you may even want to consider putting together a reunion newsletter in advance to be distributed at the reunion, asking for help in solving one or more specific family mysteries: you never know who might have insight they are willing to share, one-on-one. The article "A Great Way to Unite a Newly-Found Family" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful Kay reunion.
See Also
Cay Kai Key Koy Kaa Kao Kau Ka MacKay McKay M'Kay Ay
Surname Finder, The Kay Genealogy and Family Tree Page [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 2023.
