Kirby Family History & Genealogy
Kirby Last Name History & Origin
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Name Origin
From the word Kirkby ... living near a church
Spellings & Pronunciations
Kirkby, Kerby
Nationality & Ethnicity
Ireland
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Early Kirbies
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Kirby Family Members
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Based on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding Mattie and her family:
Martha “Mattie” or “Matty” Mays or Jane KIRBY was b. 29 Nov 1856 in Newberg, OR to parents John Brammer KIRBY (1808-1870) and Rachel B. KIRBY (1821-1871). Mattie had two full siblings, a brother George William KIRBY (1862-1864) and William KIRBY (b. 1853) and four half siblings including Sarah; Joel Anderson; Mary Jane; and John Henry KIRBY, all born between 1832 and 1849.
Mattie married Claiborne Alphonso WOODDY (1856-1918) on 30 Jun 1879 in McMinnville, OR and they had three children including Merle Hilda WOODDY FINLEY (1885-1973); Carroll Hill WOODDY (1891-1935); and Marie Hazel or Sarah WOODDY (1905-1980). Mattie died 27 Feb 1936 in Portland, OR and is buried in the Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Portland, OR.
Mattie’s obituary lists her surviving family including daughters Mrs. Joseph A. FINLEY of Portland; Miss Marie WOODDY of Portland; her brother-in-law Edward WOODDY of Chehalis, WA; and a nephew Joel KIRBY of Peshastin, WA.
Mattie’s husband was b. 8 Feb 1856 in Brownsville, OR to parents Reuben Burrow WOODDY (1828-1899) and Sydney Anna HILL (1824-1860). Claiborne was one of two children born to this couple including as sister Mary Jane WOODDY WALKER (1859-1944). After his mother died his father remarried and three additional children were born including Martha Ellen; Theodosia Elisabeth; and Robert Edwin WOODDY, all born between 1862 and 1867.
Claiborne attended McMinnville College, University of Oregon (class of 1881), and the Rochester Theological Seminary obtaining his degree there in 1884. The couple was still living in Rochester, NY in 1887-1888. Claiborne was a minister in Pendleton, Weston, and Amity, OR. He was also the principal at the Indian Industrial School in Chemawa, OR. Claiborne came to Portland, OR in 1890 to become the editor of the Pacific Baptist weekly.
Then in 1902 he became superintendent of missions for the pacific region and Claiborne died 9 Nov 1918 in Portland, OR and is buried in the Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Portland.
I’d like to get this wonderful old photograph to a family member and would appreciate you contacting me if you are a member of this family or know someone who might be.
Thanks,
Shelley


Dane Russel Kirby,
Dane passed away June 18, 2017 in Chilliwack at the age of 46 years. He is survived by his parents Finch and Lavina; brother Blake; niece Amethyst; numerous aunts and uncles and other family members and dear friends. Dane lost his battle with aggressive cancer and will be missed by everyone who knew him.


Warren Lyons KIRBY was b. 11 Oct 1898 in Barry, IL to parents John Hiram KIRBY (1866-1946) and Lillie L. LYONS (1869-1956) who were married 2 Oct 1890 in Pike County, IL. It appears that Warren was their only child. Warren married Phoebe A. HENDERSON (1897-1984) on 24 Jun 1924 in Joliet, IL and Warren died 3 Feb 1976 in Earl, WI and is buried in the Cemetery of the Pines in Boulder Junction, WI.
I am hoping to get the photograph back to this family and would appreciate you contacting me if you are a member of this family or you know someone who might be.
Thanks,
Shelley


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Kirby Death Records & Life Expectancy
The average age of a Kirby family member is 72.0 years old according to our database of 20,121 people with the last name Kirby that have a birth and death date listed.
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Oldest Kirbies
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Followers & Sources

My mother's father was also George but I do not know the name of her mother. I believe that he could be a descendant of Bishop Hugh Latimer who was burnt at the stake in Oxford England for heresy. Their children were Enid, Dorothy, Florence (Flo), George, Norman and my mother Lola.
Many English speaking families in South Africa have their roots in the 1820 Settlers but neither the Kirbys nor the Lattimers were among them and must have left Britain at a later stage.