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Research Our Genealogy

Our understanding of our lineage has evolved over time. Previously, our earliest known ancestor was Joshua, who lived approximately from 1758 to 1799. However, recent advancements in DNA research conducted in conjunction with The National Society of the Claiborne Family Descendants and Family Tree DNA have allowed us to trace our roots back even further to an English branch originating in Westmorland County in northern England.

You’re invited to begin the journey of our family’s history by reading about our ancient origins and Joshua Clyburn. From there you can move on to specific biographical sketches of Ephraim Claybourn and his children, including John B. Claiborne, William Divine Claybourn, James Thompson Clayborn, Luticia Achea Claiborne, Mary Elizabeth Claiborne, and Martha E. Claiborne. The hundreds of descendants from these three sons are chronicled as well and gets progressively more detailed as the generations progress toward modernity. To access descendants follow the links at the bottom and side of each biography. Below is an outline setting forth certain biographies, with numerous additional ancestors set forth therein.

The site is organized in a hierarchical structure and information about individuals can be accessed by following links within their ancestors’ biographies, or using the tree outline below. Also consider using the search engines below. Information on the Claybourn wives can be found on the pages of their husbands. This was done primarily for archival ease, and also because there is simply more historical evidence and information available about men of the family. But there remains a treasure trove of information about the Claybourn women and that is typically included on their husband’s pages.

Visit the CGS News page to keep on the latest news and findings. If you have other questions, click here to contact us.

The Grand Family Tree

This index uses the d’Aboville System, a descending genealogical numbering method developed by Jacques d’Aboville in 1940 that is very similar to the Henry System. This system assigns the number 1 to the individual who starts the line of descent. The first child of No. 1 is 1.1; the 10th would be 1.10. The first children of the latter would be 1.10.1. This index does not list each individual on this website. Rather, it generally follows the delineation of chapters so that each individual with a unique page is included here. Joshua is the earliest ancestor and his descendants are numbered thereafter.

Ancient Origins

Joshua Clyburn (1758 – 1799)

  1. Sarah “Sally” Claybourn (1785 – 1853)
  2. Rhoda Clyburn (1785 – 1854)
  3. Mary Clyburn (1787 – 1876)
  4. Ephraim Claybourn (1788 – 1850)
    1. Sarah W. Claybourn (1811 – c. 1875)
    2. John B. Claiborne (1812 – 1874)
      1. Mary Jane Claiborne (1832 – 1889)
      2. Amelia “Millie” Claiborne (1836 – 1908)
      3. William B. Claiborne (b. 1836)
      4. Matilda F. Claiborne (1838 – 1888)
      5. John H. Claiborne (1842 – 1932)
      6. Pleasant T. Claiborne (1844 – 1863)
      7. Arthur Smith Claiborne (1846 – 1936)
        1. Elnora Claiborne (b. 1870)
        2. William B. Claiborne (1872 – 1946)
        3. James M. Claiborne (1874 – 1956)
        4. Mattie M. J. Claiborne (1876 – 1877)
        5. Annie E. Claiborne (1878 – 1956)
        6. Martha Claiborne (1880 – 1882)
        7. Alcora L. Claiborne (1882 – 1934)
        8. Arthur S. Claiborne, Jr. (1885 – 1962)
          1. Mildred K. Claiborne (1910 – 1925)
          2. Walter W. Claiborne (b. 1913)
          3. Harry E. Claiborne (1917 – 2004)
        9. Aver Claiborne (1886 – 1886)
        10. Dell Claiborne (1887 – 1961)
        11. Sarah K. Claiborne (b. 1890)
        12. Kineth C. Claiborne (1892 – 1892)
        13. Ethel G. Claiborne (1898 – 1917)
      8. Thomas J. Claiborne (b. 1852)
      9. Samuel B. Claiborne (b. 1858)
    3. Catherine E. Claybourn (1815 – 1939)
    4. Nancy J. Claiborne (1817 – 1840)
    5. William D. Claybourn (1819 – 1896)
      1. Mary C. Claybourn (1839 – 1910)
      2. Sarah J. Claybourn (1841 – 1913)
        1. Ina Hawkins (1868 – 1946)
        2. Ira Hawkins (1869 – 1943)
        3. Otto Hawkins (1873 – 1975)
        4. Ala Hawkins (b. 1875)
        5. Harry Hawkins (1877 – 1902)
        6. Elsie Hawkins (b. 1880)
      3. James H. Claybourn (1843 – 1920)
        1. Ada V. I. Claybourn (1866 – 1868)
        2. Minni Claybourn (1868 – 1868)
        3. Eva Maud Claybourn (b. 1869)
        4. Alma B. Claybourn (1878 – 1946)
        5. Norah E. Claybourn (1874 – 1963)
        6. Orley F. Claybourn (1877 – 1938)
          1. William R. Claybourn (1906 – 1964)
          2. James F. Claybourn (1925 – 2004)
        7. Birtie May Claybourn (1879 – 1961)
        8. Libbie F. Claybourn (1881 – 1958)
        9. Lena G. Claybourn (1884 – 1965)
        10. Addie Claybourn (1886 – 1886)
      4. William Pratt Claybourn (1844 – 1900)
      5. John Bethel Claybourn (1846 – 1937)
        1. Carrie Mae Claybourn (1867 – 1940)
        2. Henry A. Claybourn (1868 – 1877)
        3. Lillie M. Claybourn (1871 – 1872)
        4. Walter W. Claybourn (1873 – 1964)
        5. Harry D. Claybourn (1875 – 1951)
        6. Minnie Claybourn (1877 – 1943)
        7. Mourten F. Claybourne (1881 – 1959)
        8. Leslie W. Claybourn (1883 – 1956)
        9. John G. Claybourn (1886 – 1967)
      6. Harriett Claybourn (1849 – 1852)
      7. Ephraim S. Claybourn (1851 – 1909)
      8. Elizabeth Claybourn (1852 – 1852)
      9. Joseph M. Claybourn (1854 – 1927)
      10. Reuben C. Claybourn (1854 – 1921)
        1. Rosella F. Claybourn (1878 – 1961)
        2. Minnis S. Claybourn (1880 – 1881)
        3. J. Verner M. Claybourn (1882 – 1962)
        4. Ethel B. Claybourn (1883 – 1919)
        5. Beatrice F. Claybourn (1885 – 1974)
        6. Ruby M. Claybourn (1886 – 1960)
        7. Carl H. D. W. Claybourn (1888 – 1941)
        8. Anna L. Claybourn (b. 1890)
        9. Noel C. Claybourn (1892 – 1956)
        10. Opal L. Claybourn (1895 – 1941)
        11. Wesley V. Claybourn (1898 – 1979)
      11. Candace F. F. Claybourn (1856 – 1948)
      12. Livona C. Claybourn (1858 – 1930)
      13. Cashus M. C. T. Claybourn (1860 – 1936)
        1. Hershel Claybourn (1881 – 1881
        2. Ira M. Claybourn (1882 – 1967)
        3. Arthur E. Claybourn (1885 – 1941)
        4. Verdie C. Claybourn (b. 1887)
        5. Mary M. Claybourn (1890 – 1983)
        6. Earnest T. Claybourn (1893 – 1961)
        7. Guy R. Claybourn (1897 – 1963)
        8. Glenn D. Claybourn (1900 – 1972)
        9. Forrest C. Claybourn (1903 – 1909)
      14. Unnamed infant (1863 – 1863)
      15. Charles F. Claybourn (1865 – 1939)
        1. Mabel P. Claybourn (1886 – 1918)
        2. Frank W. Claybourn (1888 – 1957)
        3. Sophia J. Claybourn (1890 – 1982)
        4. Harley P. Claybourn (1894 – 1978)
        5. Montie E. Claybourn (1900 – 1968)
        6. Eula B. Claybourn (b. 1905)
      16. Lucy B. Claybourn (1867 – 1949)
      17. Minnesota Claybourn (1869 – 1870)
    6. James Thompson Clayborn (1822 – 1900)
      1. Mary E. Clayborn (1844 – 1921)
      2. Martha M. Clayborn (1846 – 1865)
      3. Sarah Clayborn (b. 1847)
      4. John B. Clayborn (1849 – 1932)
      5. Ephraim Cleibron (1852 – c. 1905)
      6. Phoebe Ann Clayborn (b. 1854)
      7. Lutecia A. Clayborn (b. 1865)
      8. William H. Clayborn (1857 – 1902)
        1. Eva Clayborn (1886 – 1958)
        2. Charlie Clayborn (1888 – 1957)
        3. Maudie J. Clayborn (1890 – 1979)
        4. Bonnie E. Clayborn (1892 – 1967)
        5. Clay Evans Clayborn (1894 – 1983)
        6. William Elijah Clayborn (1898 – 1961)
          1. Howard E. Clayborn (1917 – 1990)
        7. Tina Melinda Clayborn (1902 – 1980)
      9. James F. Clayborn (1859 – 1861)
      10. Thomas Bethel Claybourn (1861 – 1936)
      11. Malinda Clayborn (1862 – c. 1905)
      12. Manson Clayborn (1864 – 1865)
      13. Nancy Jane Clayborn (1867 – 1944)
    7. Luticia A. Claiborne (1824 – 1891)
      1. John M. Williams (1843 – 1924)
      2. David R. Williams (1845 – 1900)
      3. Sarah E. Williams (1846 – 1891)
      4. James C. Williams (1849 – 1889)
      5. Nancy J. Williams (b. 1852)
      6. Mary C. Williams (b. 1854)
      7. William C. Williams (1856 – 1932)
      8. George W. Williams (1859 – 1941)
      9. Jesse M. Williams (b. 1864)
    8. Mary E. Claiborne (1827 – c. 1857)
    9. Martha E. Claiborne (b. 1831)

Search

If you cannot find the information you’re seeking, or you wish additional information, do not hesitate to contact us and request more info.

Citing to CGS

If you wish to cite to this website in research, we recommend using the Chicago Manual of Style. For notes, footnotes, or endnotes, use the following format:

  • “[Insert name of article here],” The Claybourn Genealogical Society, accessed [insert date page was accessed], [Insert specific URL here].

Within a bibliography, use the following format:

  • The Claybourn Genealogical Society. “[Insert name of article here].” Accessed [insert date page was accessed]. [Insert specific URL here].