Welcome to the M'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 M'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 M'Kay ancestry. Share this page on Twitter!
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The M'Kay Family Tree
Everyone has different reasons for building a family tree; your personal motiviation will influence whether the M'Kay family tree has more depth or breadth. Have you struck a M'Kay brick wall? Read "Tips for Successful Research" for some helpful advice.
Best Tree Collections for Discovering M'Kay Ancestors
M'Kay Genealogy
Many things can go wrong when a record collection is indexed. If you're having diffculty finding M'Kay ancestors in a particular database at one site, try finding it on another and compare the results. If you want to know What are the best records before birth and death registration was required to locate M'Kay ancestors?, then read this frequently asked question.
Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for M'Kay
Census records are among the most useful records available for family tree building.
There are currently matching M'Kay records at Ancestry.com!
Start exploring this online M'Kay family history resource today.
Death Records
Military Records
Origins of the M'Kay Surname
There are no clear, concise answers to why or how one of your M'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.
M'Kay DNA Projects
Don't believe the hype! When DNA testing was first made available for genealogical purposes, some companies boasted how it could solve all your M'Kay family tree mysteries. DNA testing can be a useful tool, when applied properly to a given research issue. If you are seeking an answer to the question, How do I know which DNA test is right for M'Kay research?, then this FAQ may help.
M'Kay Family History
Every family has a different history, and every document you discover about your M'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 M'Kay family history on the Internet? is always useful.
Photo Collections
Networking with M'Kay Researchers
If you are doing genealogy research in a particular town or region distant from where you live, you may want to consider posting a message board query requesting a lookup; often local volunteers or residents are willing to lend a hand, but remember to be specific in your request and be respectful of others' time. The article "The Art of Posting Queries" provides some valuable tips for posting successful M'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 M'Kay ancestors.
M'Kay Achievements & Celebrities
Web Sites & Blogs with M'Kay Research
If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of M'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.
Upcoming M'Kay Family Reunions
Whenever possible, consider holding the family reunion in place where you have a strong M'Kay family history, which provides opportunities to share stories and visit cemeteries or old home sites; you may even want to consider as a one-day activity, having each family take on the task of gathering information from the local courthouse, school district, public library, etc. -- this, of course, requires advance planning and assignment, but could generate considerable interest and results. The article "A Great Way to Unite a Newly-Found Family" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful M'Kay reunion.
See Also
MacKay McKay Kay McKay McCay McAy McKai McKey McKoy McKau
Surname Finder, The M'Kay Genealogy and Family Tree Page [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 2023.