Welcome to the McKenley 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 McKenley 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 McKenley ancestry. Share this page on Twitter!
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The McKenley Family Tree
Everyone has different reasons for building a family tree; your personal motiviation will influence whether the McKenley family tree has more depth or breadth. Have you struck a McKenley brick wall? Read "Genealogical Research Habits" for some helpful advice.
Best Tree Collections for Discovering McKenley Ancestors
McKenley Genealogy
Keep an open mind when searching through McKenley 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 I locate old newspapers for McKenley research?, then read this frequently asked question.
Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for McKenley
Census records are among the most useful records available for family tree building.
There are currently matching McKenley records at Ancestry.com!
Start exploring this online McKenley family history resource today.
Death Records
Military Records
Origins of the McKenley Surname
It is quite possible for two people with the McKenley last name to have been given that surname for entirely different reasons. Discovering the country from which your McKenley ancestors originated can often yield additional clues for the meaning of the surname. Keep in mind that it was not unusual for a last name to be altered as an ancestor entered a new country.
McKenley DNA Projects
While DNA testing cannot conclusively tell you if two McKenley ancestors were related, it can easily prove if they weren't. Be sure you understand what types of research issues each different DNA test can address before you spend any money. If you're not sure how DNA testing could aid your McKenley research, read "When do you use DNA?".
McKenley Family History
There is more to exploring your McKenley ancestry than just gathering a bunch of names and dates. Understanding where your ancestors lived, how they were employed, and what they did for fun, may give you a better appreciation of your heritage. Whether you are a beginner or expert genealogists, knowing Where can I find a biography of my McKenley ancestor? is always useful.
Photo Collections
Networking with McKenley Researchers
In doing genealogy research, we surely don't want to reinvent the wheel; in researching your McKenley 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 "Looking for John Smith - Focusing a Query" provides some valuable tips for posting successful McKenley 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 McKenley ancestors.
McKenley Achievements & Celebrities
Did you know that McKenley was the 46330th most popular surname in the 1990 census of the United States?
Web Sites & Blogs with McKenley Research
If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of McKenley, 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 McKenley Family Reunions
One key to a successful McKenley 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 "Reunions: Beyond Aunt Pat's Rhubarb Pie and Aunt Edna's Wet Kisses" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful McKenley reunion.
See Also
Surname Finder, The McKenley Genealogy and Family Tree Page [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 2023.
