Established 2001

Clay Family Society

Public

POC-2018-03 – POC, 2018 Qtr 3, Vol. XV Issue 3

Record Summary

Evidence Category:
Published Source
Record Type:
Newsletter
Date:
3rd Quarter 2018
Individuals Mentioned:
Nancy Acord-Greathouse, Mary Akers, Ned Boyajian, Casie Clay Branson, Corliss Clay, Dave Clay, David M. Clay, Donna Parisi Clay, Rear Admiral Edward Sneyd Clay, Elizabeth Clay, Ernest Clay, Finney Mack Clay, Francis Clay of the Hill, Hercules Clay, Honor Clay, John Clay, Sir John Clay, John Mitchell Clay, John S. Clay, John Wilkinson Clay, Lawrence Clay, Luke Clay, Sgt. Major Matthew Clay, Peter John Clay, Robert Clay, Rev. William Clay, John Claye, S. Douglas Cline, Connie Collins, Nancy Cook, Christine Clay Dabbs, Pat Dunford, Linda Gunnoe, Helen Handley, Bess of Hardwick, Greg Hatcher, Marcia Hovenden, Linda Pittano, Elizabeth Clay Rains, Mary Richardson
Repository:
Clay Family Society Digital Archives
Archive Reference:
Folder: 01_Pieces_of_Clay/2007-2025

Summary

Focused on Clay Project at FamilyTreeDNA, 2018 Gathering – Casie (Clay) Branson President

Clay Line: Board

Asset

View Public Asset

Source Citation

Pieces of Clay, Clay Family Society, (Summer 2018): 6 pages; CFS Archive ID POC-2018-03.

Historical Context

DNA Project Status: The Family Tree DNA Clay Project has expanded its yDNA cadre to 48 participants, including American Clays, English Clays, and individuals not surnamed Clay who are proven descendants. The project also includes over 50 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) kits for tracking female Clay ancestors, alongside various autosomal tests.

Ancestry Obstacles: While the project has brought researchers closer to identifying the English roots of some New England participants, it has not yet identified the specific English ancestors of the 1613 immigrant John Claye. It was also confirmed that Sir John Clay is not an ancestor of the 1613 immigrant, as his only two sons died young.

Marker Upgrades: Testing has progressed from 12- or 25-marker genetic tests to a standard 37-marker test. To eliminate distant matches, the project is actively upgrading participants to 67 and 111 markers.

New Discoveries: During a gathering in Bonsall, attendees uncovered a previously unknown headstone for Elizabeth (Clay) Rains, the sister of Robert Clay, after removing ivy from the gravesite.

Family Connections: Attendees Luke Clay and Christine (Clay) Dabbs discovered they are second cousins. Both share a lineage tied to Lance Corporal Ernest Clay, a World War I hero commemorated on the Blidworth war monument.