Robert Elam, an immigrant from England, was in Henrico County, Virginia, by 1638. His daughter, Ann Elam (ca. 1629-before 1694), married Gilbert Elam (ca. 1631-1696), probably her cousin. Their descendant, Gilbert Elam (ca. 1795-ca. 1868), was born in Russell County, Virginia, the son of William C. and Rebecca Ranze Elam. He married Catherine Cooley, daughter of Daniel Cooley, ca. 1817. They and their children migrated to Morgan County, Kentucky, ca. 1836. Their grandson, Marion Elam (1856-1913) was born on the Wheelrim Fork of Johnson Creek in Morgan County, Kentucky, the son of Joel and Susanah Lykins Elam. He married Elizabeth Ward in 1879. The had nine children, 1881-1899. Descendants listed lived in Kentucky, Ohio, and elsewhere.

Scrapbooks include newspaper clippings, original colored maps, original photos. relating to the Elam family.

John H. Elam was born in 1863 in Arkansas. His parents were George B. Elam, II and Angeline Carter. He married Marion Haynes (1866-1940) in 1886 in Attala County, Mississippi. They had nine children. Ancestors, descendants and relatives lived mainly in England, Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas.