Tracing My Family History with Ancestry.com: From Mayflower to Modern Day—A Journey Through Time, Service, and Discovery

As someone with a background in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, I’ve always been fascinated by the power of data to uncover hidden patterns and insights. It’s no surprise, then, that genealogy quickly became a passion of mine. Using Ancestry.com, I’ve traced my family’s roots by blending my analytical skills with historical research. Along the way, I’ve relied on key records such as birth, marriage, death, immigration, and military documents to track down my ancestors—including both of my grandfathers who served in World War II, one as a physician in India and the other as an expert in Morse code aboard a ship. I’ve even uncovered a possible connection to Mayflower passengers, founders of Plymouth, and ancestors who were colonels at the founding of Jamestown. To my surprise, I also discovered that I am related to knights, mayors, and other elites who played significant roles in their communities. I’ve traced relatives who fought and died in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, and one of my ancestors escaped the Irish Potato Famine by immigrating to the U.S. My surname evolved from Meije to Meij to de Meij, and eventually to DeMay as my ancestors migrated. Medicine also “runs in my blood,” as my grandfather and great-grandfather DeMay were both physicians, along with their doctor siblings. I’ve also uncovered a line of relatives who served as colonels, majors, captains, and even enlisted privates who rose through the ranks in the U.S. military. Additionally, I uncovered an ancestor from Sweden who changed his last name, which posed challenges in finding his birth records under a different name. Now, I’m preparing to travel to the Netherlands in two weeks to explore the origins of my surname in the town of Maij and track my Dutch ancestors, who escaped religious persecution in Great Britain. However, this process has not been without its challenges—especially the time-consuming work of tracking relatives and the uncertainty of relying on others’ family trees on Ancestry.com.

1. Building My Family Tree: Where Data Meets Discovery

When I first started using Ancestry.com, I applied many of the same principles I use in my career in Business Intelligence. Just as in data analysis, genealogy requires collecting, verifying, and interpreting large volumes of information to build an accurate picture. In this case, it wasn’t business metrics or customer insights I was after—it was my family history.

I started by entering known information—names, birth dates, and family relationships—and began using Ancestry.com’s vast record collection to fill in the gaps. The process felt familiar: identifying relevant data points, cross-referencing them, and uncovering the bigger story. Each record was like a piece of a puzzle that gradually formed a picture of my ancestors’ lives. Some of the most important records—birth, marriage, death, immigration, and military documents—proved essential in tracking and verifying these ancestors.

2. How Birth, Marriage, Death, Immigration, and Military Records Shaped My Search

One of the key elements in building an accurate family tree is the use of vital records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, as well as military and immigration documents. These records offer a wealth of information that not only confirms dates and relationships but also provides context about the lives of our ancestors.

For example, birth certificates helped me verify exact dates of birth for several ancestors, which allowed me to distinguish between people with similar names. They also often included parents' names, helping to connect generations. Marriage records were crucial in identifying spouses and verifying family ties, as well as providing information about previous generations through the mention of parents' names.

Death certificates provided not only the date of death but also the cause, occupation, and sometimes even the name of the cemetery, bringing a new level of understanding to my ancestors' lives. Immigration records, particularly passenger lists, revealed the journeys my ancestors made from Europe to the United States, providing dates, places, and context about their migration.

One of the most significant discoveries in my family’s immigration history was learning about a relative who escaped the Irish Potato Famine in the mid-1800s. This relative fled Ireland during one of the country’s most devastating periods of starvation and economic hardship and made their way to the U.S. By analyzing passenger records and immigration documents, I was able to trace their journey to the U.S., which marked a turning point for this branch of my family. Understanding this journey gave me a greater appreciation for the sacrifices and struggles my ancestors faced in search of a better life.

Military records have also been invaluable in piecing together my family’s history, especially as I discovered ancestors who served in pivotal moments of U.S. history. These documents not only provided dates and places of service but also shed light on their experiences during the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and other conflicts.

3. Both of My Grandfathers’ Service in World War II

One of the most personal and moving discoveries in my family’s history was learning more about both of my grandfathers, who served in World War II. Their experiences in the war were quite different, but both played significant roles in the defense and service of the United States.

My paternal grandfather was a physician in India during World War II, providing medical care to soldiers and civilians alike. His role in the war effort involved treating the wounded, managing illnesses, and helping maintain the health of troops in the challenging conditions of the South Asian theater. His work as a doctor during this period highlighted the importance of medicine and care during times of conflict.

On the other hand, my maternal grandfather served on a ship during World War II and was an expert in Morse code, a crucial skill for communication during wartime naval operations. His ability to send and receive Morse code messages helped his ship stay in contact with command and other vessels in an era where radio silence was often required to avoid detection. This skill placed him in a critical position aboard the ship, contributing directly to its ability to navigate the war safely. Learning about his expertise in Morse code and the role he played aboard the ship has given me a greater appreciation for the diverse contributions my family made to the war effort.

4. Colonels, Majors, Captains, and Privates Who Rose Through the Ranks

In addition to my relatives who fought in the Revolutionary War and Civil War, I discovered ancestors who served in various high-ranking positions in the U.S. military. My family’s contributions extended beyond individual battles—several relatives served as colonels, majors, captains, and even enlisted privates who rose through the ranks to become respected officers.

These individuals began their military careers as privates, often in difficult and challenging conditions. Their rise through the ranks highlights the perseverance, discipline, and leadership qualities that defined their service. Starting from the lowest enlisted ranks and working their way up, they eventually earned commissions as officers, demonstrating a dedication not only to their country but also to their personal growth and development within the military.

The colonels in my family led troops in major conflicts, guiding soldiers through strategic military operations. The majors handled the coordination and management of military campaigns, while the captains were often responsible for leading companies of soldiers in the field. Their leadership and dedication to service reflect a strong tradition of military duty in my family, spanning generations.

These military records not only provided specific dates and ranks but also allowed me to piece together the broader role my ancestors played in shaping the history of the U.S. through their leadership and service in the armed forces.

5. Physicians in the DeMay Family: How Medicine Runs in My Blood

One of the most personal discoveries I’ve made during my genealogical journey is the history of medicine in the DeMay family. Both my grandfather and great-grandfather DeMay were physicians, and several of their siblings were doctors as well. This legacy of medical service within my family has had a lasting impact and is one of the reasons why I feel that medicine “runs in my blood”.

From treating patients during times of hardship to serving their communities as trusted healthcare providers, the DeMay doctors were known for their dedication and service. This multi-generational commitment to medicine has inspired me and provided a sense of pride, knowing that my ancestors devoted their lives to healing others. Their influence extends beyond the family, leaving a lasting legacy in the medical field.

6. My Ancestor’s Name Change in Sweden: A Challenge in Finding Records

While tracing my Swedish ancestors, I encountered an interesting and challenging discovery: one of my ancestors from Sweden changed his last name after immigrating to the United States. This was a common practice among Scandinavian immigrants, who often adopted new surnames based on their place of origin or to better integrate into their new communities.

This name change created a significant challenge in locating birth records and other documents under his original name. Swedish patronymic naming traditions—where surnames were derived from a father’s first name—added another layer of complexity. The combination of these factors meant that my ancestor’s birth record was initially difficult to trace.

After sifting through Swedish church records and immigration documents, I was able to uncover his original surname and piece together his early life before his name changed. This discovery was both frustrating and rewarding, as it helped me connect a critical part of my family tree and provided a deeper understanding of the cultural shifts my ancestors experienced during their immigration journey.

7. The Evolution of My Last Name: From Maij to DeMay

One of the most fascinating discoveries during my research has been the evolution of my last name. Originally, my ancestors came from the small town of Maij in the Netherlands. As I traced my family line, I found that the surname evolved over time, from Maij to de Maij—which means "from Maij" in Dutch. This was a common naming convention in the past, where surnames reflected a person’s origin.

As my ancestors migrated and settled in different areas, the name eventually changed from de Maij to DeMay as they adapted to English-speaking countries like the United States. This evolution of the surname tells the story of migration and adaptation, reflecting the journey my family took as they established themselves in new lands.

Now, in just two weeks, I am embarking on a trip to the Netherlands to visit the town of Maij and explore the history of my ancestors. One of the most interesting discoveries about this part of my family line is that they likely escaped religious persecution in Great Britain and found safety in the Netherlands before eventually migrating to other countries. I plan to visit local archives and walk the streets where my ancestors once lived, deepening my connection to my Dutch roots.

8. Helping Others with Their Ancestry Research

As I’ve made these incredible discoveries, I’ve realized that genealogy is truly a labor of love—a passion that grows deeper as you uncover the lives and stories of your ancestors. This journey has inspired me to help others with their own research. While I’m available to assist others in their genealogical searches, I’ve come to understand that the process is most meaningful for the person doing the research.

Genealogy can be extremely time-consuming, and it often involves navigating complex historical records, family stories, and databases. However, I believe that the deeper connection to your relatives and ancestors comes from doing the research yourself. It’s more than just piecing together names and dates—it’s discovering who you are and where you come from. I’m happy to help guide others and provide support as they explore their family histories, but my greatest joy comes from seeing others develop that same passion for uncovering their roots.

9. The Flag: A Symbol of Family Sacrifice During WWII

One of the most poignant symbols of my family's involvement in World War II is the flag in the attached photo. My great-grandparents proudly hung this flag outside their home to let others know that they had children fighting in the war—my grandfather and his brother. These flags were often displayed by families with military members serving overseas, a powerful reminder to the community of the sacrifices being made by those on the home front. Knowing that this flag was part of my family's history serves as a touching connection to their dedication and sacrifice during one of the most critical periods in U.S. history.