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About McCraysOnline

Welcome to McCraysOnline, where our family tree and genealogy come together to tell the story of who we are and where we come from.

As of April 11, 2026, this growing family history archive holds more than 4,182 individuals, with roots reaching back to the year 1229, when De Bonbury was born. Across roughly 18 generations, over 1,332 marriages have woven together the branches of our family, forming a rich and enduring legacy.

Over time, certain branches have grown larger than others. The Harshbarger, McCray, Brensing, and Thorne families stand as some of the strongest limbs on our family tree, each contributing to the story that continues to unfold today. Along the way, more than 1,104 unique surnames have become part of this journey, including names such as Dow, Hitz, Troutbeck, Quick, Tech, and Zapp. Each one represents a chapter in our shared history.

This journey began in 1980, when David McCray first created the family tree as a way to preserve and share our family history. What started as a simple record soon became a cherished tradition. Each year, he brought the family tree to gatherings, where relatives would come together to review the names, trace their branches, and add new updates.

Family members contributed important moments as life unfolded, including births that welcomed new generations, marriages that joined families together, divorces that marked life’s changes, and, sadly, the passing of loved ones. With each addition, the tree continued to grow not only in size, but in meaning.

Over time, this yearly tradition became more than record keeping. It became a way for the family to stay connected, remember those who came before, and ensure that no part of our story was lost.

In 2001, Randy McCray carried that work into the digital world by creating McCraysOnline.com using a copy of David’s records. As the years passed, the family tree database continued to grow. In 2023, David entrusted the future of this work to Randy, ensuring that the story would continue to be preserved, expanded, and shared.

Today, McCraysOnline stands as more than a collection of names. It is a living family tree, a place where history, ancestry, and legacy come together, connecting past generations to those still writing the story.