The McKays in Big Timber, Montana

This is the genealogy of James William McKay, born 1903 in Saute Rapids, Minnesota, of his immediate family and numerous descendents living in Montana, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona and California. There are more questions in this genealogy than there are answers, but that's to be expected from a look into history. May your look at our genealogy give you insight into your own family's history.

Please, let me tell you a story. Montana is a large place, miles of nothing but pale yellow honey scented grasslands rolling on to the horizon and snowcapped mountains grasping for the mammoth dome of azure sky. Big Timber is a very small town in a sea of knee-high Sweetgrass. Life is without a care, and life can kill you in a heartbeat. Nothing much matters in the real world, but day to day survival & everything is a gift. Without a support system of family and friends to watch over you, you're easy prey for the Bad Things or seduced by the Good Things. Oh, you know the Bad Things: cold, hunger, mosquitoes, ignorance, poverty, rattlesnakes, desperation and loneliness; dark and evil things ravenous to pull you down, down into the darkness of despair. Or the Good Things: picnics, fishing, shared friendships, wonder, intimate secrets, freedom, carefree innocents; sweet and lovely things that envelope you in nature’s velvet caress. The wilderness that is life can be found in many places, and has many forms.

This family is a thousand voices whispering in a crowded room a thousand stories. Maybe, we are tell the tale of you.
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If you feel you are in some way related to any of these saints & sinners, please feel free to contact me at the listed email address. Good Luck in your search for connections.

My Family History

• Surname List


• Index of Individuals


• InterneTree


• Sources

Family Photos

• Jim, Rose & their adult children (30 KB)
  James McKay & Rose Meserve have six children that lived to adulthood. Top row from left to right is Thomas, Timothy, Judy, Steve & Sharon. Bottom row left to right is Rose Marie, Rose & James. The photo was taken in Fremont, California during Christmas of 1980.
• Jim & his young son Pat McKay (16 KB)
  James W. McKay holding his young son Jimmie Patrick (Pat) McKay.

Related Links

• Sweetgrass County, Montana by WebGen Project