May genealogy

The earliest known members of this family are George May born abt. 1744 and Elizabeth King born abt. 1748, in the Parish of Chieveley, Berkshire. George and Elizabeth married 17 May 1769 in Chievely. There are 3 known children, George born 1772, Elizabeth born 1779 and James, the child that this web site is concerned with, born 1778:

James was born in Chieveley, Berkshire, England on 21 December 1778 and christened at Oare, Chieveley the same day. James married Martha Emmons, christened 23 May 1784 at Oare. Martha died 16 March 1862.

Chieveley as used here refers to the Parish of Chieveley, and it seems likely that the family actually lived in Oare, a little to the east of the village of Chieveley, but in the ecclesiastic Parish of Chieveley.

James and Martha's children were:
Elizabeth born 20 September 1806 in Oare.
George born 20 June 1809 in Chieveley. George married Hannah Hobson, christened 19 March 1809 at Chieveley. George died 23 June 1852 at Winter Quarters, Nebraska, Hannah died 4 July 1852 at Winter Quarters, Nebraska.
Thomas christened 21 August 1812 in Chieveley.
Richard christened 24 July 1814 in Chieveley.
Hannah christened 30 March 1817 in Chieveley.
William christened 28 June 1818 in Chieveley.
Eliza christened 30 April 1820 in Chieveley.
Harriet christened 7 May 1823 in Chieveley.

George and Hannah's children were:
Elizabeth born December 1830. Elizabeth died 27 June 1852 at Council Bluffs, Pottawattami County, Iowa
James born 1 June 1832 in Chieveley. James married Martha Allen 24 August 1856 in Salt Lake City, Utah and Rhoda Ann Lang in St. George, Washington County, Utah on 21 November 1877. He was buried 2 April 1910 in Harper Ward, Box Elder County, Utah.
William born 7 February 1836, died 3 October 1837 in Chieveley.
Harriet born 30 June 1838 in Chieveley and christened 5 August 1838. She died 18 September 1887 in Deweyville, Box Elder County, Utah.
Thomas born 11 December 1840 and christened 25 December 1840 in Chieveley. He died September 1860.
Richard born 9 July 1843 and christened 6 August 1843 in Chieveley. He died 26 January 1910.
William born 28 February 1846 and christened 5 April 1846 in Chieveley. He died in Council Bluffs, Pottawattami County, Iowa, 2 July 1852.
Joseph born 9 March 1848 in Chieveley and died before 1852.
Emily born 11 April 1850 in Chieveley and died in Winter Quarters 27 June 1852.

The May party
who left England in 1852

George May born 1809
Hannah May born 1809
Elizabeth May born 1830
James May born 1832
Harriet May born 1838
Thomas May born 1840
Richard May born 1843
William May born 1846
Emily May born 1850

Henry Ballard born 1832

This narrative gives only the known experiences of the May family, together with brief details of the conditions they are likely to have experienced on their journey. There are many more detailed accounts of such journeys, and these can be accessed through the 'Sources' button on the left.

This web site is a work in progress which I have put 'on-the-air' in the hope of making contact with those who know more than I about the subject.

I will be adding to the narrative and the data as I learn more.