Lists about 2500 books found in major libraries throughout the U. S. containing genealogies of families from Virginia and West Virginia. The books listed deal with families of Virginia origins but often follow their descendants far and wide across the continent. Each book is listed under the surname of the primary Virginia family covered in it. Many of the titles listed deal with several families, not all of which may have Virginia roots. Citations to all these allied families are listed in a cross-reference table, regardless of the geographic focus of the family, making this bibliography of use to researchers with interests outside Virginia also.

Claiborne B. May (ca.1798-1860/1865) moved from South Carolina to St. Clair County, Alabama, and married twice. He later moved to Tallegdega County, then Coosa County, and finally Greene County, Alabama. Descendants and relatives lived in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas and elsewhere.