First published in 1911 by Seth C. Cary, this book was created to provide the various members of the Cary family with a handy reference source with all of the available lineage data within a single cover. The author and his assistants managed to discover Cary ancestors in Medieval-era England, their presence in tombs such as Westminster attesting to the importance of the clan. The Cary family were among the earliest settlers of New England, with John Cary arriving in Plymouth Colony in 1634, and his sibling James arriving in Charlestown five years later.

To assist readers, this book is organized into numbered sections, each of which encompasses a single family grouping. The indexes which preface the sections allow for ease of reference; one concerns the names of all the Cary family, while another concerns marriages. Many of the sections are quite brief, noting the birth and death dates of the persons concerned, while a minority are longer - if a Cary did notable deeds or ascended to some position of repute, said accomplishments are told.

Overall this is a comprehensive genealogy, the product of countless hours' research, and a worthy read for researchers and enthusiasts.