Kerby Families

Although Kerby is of British origin, this branch of the family is predominantly German. The various German families (Mock, Stambaugh, Dively and Imler) appear to have immigrated in the 1700’s, coming through Maryland and Pennsylvania before eventually settling in Bedford County, PA. Our family members generally settled in the area of St. Clair Township near or on Bob’s Creek, and Greenfield Township in what is now Blair County. Where the Kerby’s came from and when they immigrated is unknown but the Mulvihill branch appears to have immigrated in the 1850’s. The earliest known Kerby was Joseph Kirby, born in 1829 in Bedford County. His father is unknown but it is speculated that his grandfather may have been Joseph Kirby, also a shoemaker, who lived in the county in the 1810’s and passed away in the 1820’s. However, Joseph’s widow and her children relocated to Ohio before our Joseph Kirby was born and since he was born in Pennsylvania, it throws doubt on this lineage.

The name Kerby has been spelled various ways in the records including: Kirby, Kerby, Korby, and Curby. It was Joseph’s son, Frederick, who changed the spelling from Kirby to Kerby.

Our early ancestors in Bedford County would have lived in log cabins. Tax records for Jacob Dively in 1796 show that he was living in a 16′ x 20′ log cabin, which was fairly typical for the area at the time. German architectural influences would have been reflected in the cabins including a high pitched gable roof, double doors and two windows.