Family Tree History
Welcome to McCraysOnline, where our family tree comes to life, and our genealogy tells the story of who we are and where we come from.
As of April 26, 2026, our family history archive includes more than 4,182 individuals, tracing our roots all the way back to 1229, with the birth of De Bonbury. Over roughly 18 generations, more than 1,333 marriages have connected the branches of our family, weaving together a rich and enduring legacy.
Some branches of our family have grown larger than others. The Harshbarger, McCray, Brensing, and Thorne families represent the larger branches of the family tree, each contributing to the story that continues to unfold. Along the way, over 1,104 unique last names—such as Dow, Hitz, Troutbeck, Quick, Tech, and Zapp—have become part of our shared history, each representing a chapter in our family’s journey.
David McCray is the heart and creator of the modern version of our family tree. Beginning in 1980, he carefully researched and documented our history, gathering stories and information from relatives, family records, and other historical sources. To share his work, David would bring a physical scroll of the tree to family reunions, rolling it out across three or four tables so everyone could see it. Family members would gather around, tracing branches, sharing memories, and adding names and dates for babies, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths. As the family grew, the tree expanded over the years and today takes more than ten tables to display in its entirety. What began as a simple record became a cherished tradition, bringing generations together and keeping our family connected.
Kenny McCray also contributed by researching and updating the family tree, helping to uncover missing information on the Harshbarger side and strengthening that branch of the family history. He continued working on the family tree until his passing in 2025.
In 2001, Randy McCray brought this work into the digital age by creating McCraysOnline.com, preserving a copy of David’s records for everyone to explore. In 2023, David entrusted the family tree fully to Randy, ensuring that the story of our family would continue to grow, be shared, and celebrated for generations to come.
Today, McCraysOnline is more than a list of names. It is a living, breathing family tree, where history, ancestry, and legacy come together. Every branch tells a story, every name carries a memory, and every new generation adds to the ongoing journey of our family.
Alexander McCray Family History
Alexander McCray, born in 1861, is a central figure in our family tree and a proud bearer of the McCray last name. He was the fourth person in our records to carry the name, following his father Apion (born 1834), grandfather Alexander (born 1798), and great-grandfather Samuel (born 1769). The first McCray in this branch of the tree is James McCray, born in 1730.
Before James, the family's last name evolved over time. James’s father, John McQuery (or Macquarrie), was born in 1681, and his father, Robert McKerrow, was born in 1620. Names often changed for many reasons—differences in spelling, pronunciation, or how record-keepers wrote them. Somewhere along the line, the family name shifted from McKerrow to McQuery or Macquarrie, and eventually became McCray with James.
In 1884, Alexander married Mary Luvina Harvey, and a new chapter of the family began. The following year, in 1885, Mary Luvina gave birth to their first child, and over the next 28 years, the couple welcomed 14 children into the world—nine daughters and five sons. Two little daughters, however, passed away at birth. Their youngest child, born in 1913, completed this extraordinary generation.
From these 14 children, the next generation of McCrays carried forward the family story. Their five sons ensured the McCray name continued, while their daughters and their families extended the branches of the family tree. Today, descendants of Alexander and Mary Luvina thrive across communities, connected by the same resilience, love, and spirit that began with this remarkable couple.
Full McCray Family Tree
The McCray family tree continues to grow as new generations are added and family history is preserved across centuries. As of 2026, the tree includes over 4,200 individuals, more than 1,300 marriages, and countless family connections across many generations and last names.
Some information for living individuals is not displayed in order to respect privacy and protect personal details.
You can explore the complete McCray family tree online through our family history database. View the full family tree here