See if link helps...

Well, just be careful not to hurt the new growth, otherwise, the clematis root might have been taken too much hurt this year and may struggle for the remainder, though that's not to say it would have died. It is pretty hardy.

Not knowing at what level the root was planted, you'll just have to be careful about digging into the ground and trying to lift up the root. Once you get it, consider to bury it either at the same level it was in before, so that your new shoots are still above ground, or bury a little deeper than it was before, depending on how deep it was.

Well I dive in with the shovel this afternoon. Them roots were way deeper than I expected, so I did cut some of them with the shovel. But I got 20 inches deep. I put it in a 26" pot with the same dirt I dug up and filled it with water. I think if it's looking healthy tomorrow, we should be good. :)

20" deep is pretty good to know that it would have enough energy to push through all that soil to come up. I have been scared about that, and plant mine anywhere around 6-12" deep, though I don't know if it settles in deeper after that (or also the age of the plant, which may find itself going deeper as it gets older)

It may take a few more days than just 24 hours to see it bounce back but either way, hopefully you have gotten it in good shape. Since you cut through some roots, and possibly left some pieces behind, I would be curious to see if it grows again at your grandpa's place.

It's doing great. It has sent up brand new shoots and leaves I think it's doing great!!