Andrew Kenneth May

 

This series started back in 2009, driven by a personal need to correct and clarify a lot of incorrect 'facts' about Frederick May, his family and his foundry. This desire to sort fact from fiction turned into Andrews hobby, whilst running a business full time with his Son James. Having spent his whole life-to-date invested and intrigued by his family history, Andrew has now completed two factual books about his Great Great Grandfather Frederick May. All of the information in these books has been extensively researched and checked. To name a few research avenues, Andrew has spent countless hours researching in or at State and National Libraries, as well as the Geological Society of Australia; made numerous trips to Gawler, Moonta and surrounding areas, and visited family members. This was (and is) all in an effort to chase photographs, memorabilia, articles and family knowledge, seeking the truth. His efforts did not necessarily stop in South Australia, having also advertised nationally for information in such publications as The Old Machinery Magazine and the Sunday Mail. 

 

His tireless and dedicated work has resulted in two beautiful hard-cover books with a over 780 pages combined and more than 600 photographs (in both colour and black and white), recounting his amazing family history and documenting its impact on not only South Australia but agriculture and engineering alike. The result of all of this - the countless hours and hours of research, investigating and fact-checking - is his series,

       

          The Mechanical Genius; John Frederick May

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To see the Trove listing of The Mechanical Genius; John Frederick May, please click here​.

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in 2019, Andrew released his third book The Poseidon Boom. More information can be found here.