I have been trying to find the homeland of my family since I began my Dunaway research back in 1984. First let me unqualify myself. I am not a professional genealogist,and lack the left brain skills to be much good at the statistics gathering required at such a profession. What I do have is a desire to find my roots and the tenacious will to keep up the pace until I get the information I am after.

I had in my beginning years three mentors. James Dunaway of Florida and David Duniway of Oregon. and Rev. H. Clay Dunaway of Tennessee They all have since died unfortunately, but before doing so laid out for me a multitude of years and years of their research. David spent 11 years in the National Archive before moving back home to Oregon. Once there he started the Oregon State archive in Salem, Oregon. Today there is a room called ‘The Dunniway Room’ dedicated to this wonderful man and his famous grandmother, Abigail Jane (Scott) Duniway. She was a woman’s rights advocate and first woman to vote in Oregon for her efforts. James Dunaway’s daughter, Elaine Baselice of Florida continues to grant me access to her fathers research notes. The Rev. H. Clay was gone before I could personally meet him, but his notes were part of what was sent to me by David and James.

I find these Dunaway men and their families to be deeply religious and fiercely independent. They did not seem to mix with the indigenous people, but opposite to this were involved in the many fights with them that came with living on the frontier for nearly 200 years in the beginning days of this country as most of these early Dunaway ancestors of ours did

For those who are interested, my Dunaway family begin's with John and Kathryn (Eyes) Dunaway in Northumberland,Virginia- circa 1666, and follows them to Kentucky with the Boonsborough defense of 1778 and beyond. This family migrates to Illinois in 1836, and finally California in 1905.

Any feedback is appreciated. This is a work in progress and I will take any comments into consideration. Any one who reads this knows that nothing in genealogy is in concrete. If you can give me contrary data I will consider myself wrong. Thanks for listening

Regards>>>Will Dunniway 951-817-5113 or email

• Will Dunniway's Family Tree GEDCOM (321 KB)
  These Dunaway's begin in Virginia in the 1600's migrate through Kentucky in the 1770's and then into Illinois in the 1830's and finally California in 1905

• David Dunniway 1800-1869 (107 KB)
  David Dunniway. Son of Benjamin and Cinthia (Goosey) Dunnaway. Kentucky born 1801 died in Illinois 1869. Image is an ambrotype circa 1858
• Dunniway Barber Shop -Griggsville, Illinois (303 KB)
  Will Dunniway at center by door with wife, May (Donson) standing with him. Will and his brother Frank ran this business together. 1889-1904
• David Dunniway's Tombstone (127 KB)
  Located in the Bethel Cemetery outside Detroit,(NOT Michigan!) Pike County, Illinois
• Will Dunniway and Family. Pike County, Illinois (134 KB)
  Will and his wife May (Donson) Dunniway with their two children, Ray and Harry (baby). Griggsville, Illinois circa 1895
• My Dunniway Family. Colton, CA 1949 (61 KB)
  The only known family image of my father and mother and us boys. Donald (son of Harry Dunniway) and Marjorie (Sharp) with me (Will) being held by dad and Steven being held by mother. Mike standing in front. Colton, San Bernardino County, California, 1949
• John William Dunniway. Pike County, Illinois 1865 (125 KB)
  John William Dunniway. Son of David and Anna Dunniway. Cased ferrotype image, circa 1865. Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois 1865
• Julia Ann (Rupert) Dunniway circa 1865 (168 KB)
  Julia Ann Dunniway. Daughter of David and Martha (Lynch) Rupert. Cased ferrotype image, circa 1865. Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois 1865
• Flowers Grocery Store. Redlands, CA (98 KB)
  At far left is my grandfather, Harry Dunniway (son of Will and May). This was taken in the Flowers Grocery Store. Redlands, CA. Old man Flowers is at right. Harry bought this store in 1922 and renamed it Dunniway Grocery Store. The building is still there at 342 Orange Street, Redlands, San Bernardino County, California

Will Dunniway
2188 Turnberry Lane
Corona, CA 92881
United States
831-338-9473
willdunniway@mac.com

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