My first Mabry book, published in 1987, focused on the family of Francis Maybury of Surry County, Virginia. It was reprinted with some additions in 1997. Since then I have been researching the wider Maybury family which originated in 16th century England. My new book, will include many branches of the family now found in England, Ireland, Canada, the United States and Australia. It will hopefully be published early in 2010. For more information see The Mayburys.

Until very recently I planned to publish family data up through the current generation and many have already submitted that information. However, the concern of many about privacy and the fear of identity theft has made it necessary to revise that plan. The new book will contain descendant listings only through the generation born about 1920. For a fuller explanation of this decision please see the latest update on plans for The Mayburys.

NO, HE WAS NOT! Several years ago a careless researcher looked at the International Genealogical Index and found a Francis Maybury, baptized to Richard and Elizabeth Maybery on 17 May 1647 in Longnor, Shropshire. The researcher jumped to the conclusion that, "this must be Francis Maybury who came to Virginia". So he submitted this information to "The World Family Tree", where it was published on a CD. Since then others have read it there and passed it on believing it to be true.

However, just because something is in print or found on the internet doesn't make it true! We asked the Shropshire Records Office to examine the original parish register and they reported to us that, the record actually says: "Francis, daughter, of Richard and Elizabeth Maybery....". "Francis" is usually the masculine spelling today but in the 17th century it was commonly used for females as well. Thus we know that Francis Maybury who came to Virginia was NOT the son of Richard and Elizabeth of Shropshire. Please help us inform others about this error.

Our Maybury DNA Project and conventional genealogical research show that:

1. Most Mayburys, Mayberrys, Mabrys, etc. descend from John Maybury, who married in Sussex in 1565.
2. A smaller number of Mayberrys in the U.S. descend from Frederick Mayberry (ca 1730-1801), who some believe came from Germany about 1750. Others believe he was of English ancestry. While the DNA signature of his descendants differs from that of the English Mayburys, Frederick could still belong to the English Mayburys. We are currently researching records in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the hope finding more information.

In the meantime any male Maybury (Mayberry, Mabry, Mabery, Mabray, etc.) can take a simple "Y-DNA" test to determine whether he descends from Frederick Mayberry or from a particular branch of the larger English Maybury family.

We have had a few participants in our DNA Project whose DNA does not match either the known DNA signature of the "English Mayburys" or that of the Frederick Mayberry family. The most likely explanation for a non-matching DNA signature is a "paternal event" -- which often means an adoption or an illegitimate birth among one's male ancestors which occurred in a past generation.

It is not necessary to have a DNA sample from an ancestor who died decades or even centuries ago. Every male passes on to all his sons a family "DNA signature" which is found on the Y chromosome. Except for minor "mutations" which occur infrequently, that family DNA signature remains unchanged over many generations. The "DNA signature" found on the Y chromosome of a contemporary male is virtually identical to that of his direct male ancestors, even though they lived centuries ago.

Possibly. If the oral history of an African American family suggests that an ancestor was a white slave owner, a Y-DNA test may be helpful. If the oral history is accurate, the test should point to the DNA signature of the European ancestor. The test may also show whether or not that European ancestor was a Mabry.

DNA tests show that the Maybury family and the Marbury family are not related. Most Marburys/Marberrys descend from Francis Marbury who came to Maryland from England about 1680. A separate Marbury/Marberry DNA Project has been established to learn more about the relationships in that family. If you would like to know more about the Marbury/Marberry DNA Project, please contact John Marberry.

No. The Mayburys were not landed gentry and no branch of the family ever had a "coat of arms" or "family crest". But that doesn't stop people from trying to make a buck by designing one for you! A number of unethical companies advertise "authentic coats of arms" for various families, including the Mayburys, Mayberrys, Mabrys, etc. on the internet. Most of these have a search engine where you can type in any family name and come up with an attractive family crest, coat of arms, or shield. These are usually sold with a "family history" which someone has improvised from easily available sources. And, of course, you are invited to buy numerous products with your "authentic family crest" on them (ash trays, glassware, plaques, belt buckles, etc.) Don't be fooled. It's all a scam.