Who was Henry Thoreau?

Henry Thoreau (1817–1862) was born in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts and died in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts. 12 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching Henry?

Right now, 12 researchers on YourRoots have Henry in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 13 generations of this lineage.

What records do they have for Henry?

Records vary by researcher and can include census, vital, parish, cemetery, and family sources.

How do I compare family trees?

Use Compare Tree on an available researcher profile to compare overlapping people and records.

Henry David Thoreau 1817–1862

Public Tree Person

What is a Public Tree Person?

A Public Tree Person is an ancestor documented independently by multiple YourRoots tree owners. When several researchers' family histories converge on the same person, we publish a shared page that combines what they've documented.

Why this is a Public Tree Person

Full name consistent across 12 independent trees

Birth year and location consistent across 12 trees

Death year and location consistent across 12 trees

Compare a Public Tree Person with your own tree using Compare Tree.

B Reliability

Reliability Score: B

Medium — based on the source tree

Grade scale

A 3 criteria (Strong)
B 2 criteria (Medium)
C 1 criteria (Basic)

Verification checklist

Record available
Descendant's record available
Star tree owner

12 researchers on YourRoots have Henry Thoreau in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 13 generations. If this ancestor is in your tree too, you can compare what you've found and fill in the gaps together.

Last updated: July 22, 2026 · Reliability: B — verified across 12 independent trees

Born 12 Jul 1817 · Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Died 6 May 1862 · Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Father John Thoreau Sr

Mother Cynthia Dunbar

Siblings Helen Louisa Thoreau, Sophia Elizabeth Thoreau

Records

1850 United States Federal Census 1860 United States Federal Census Family Data Collection - Individual … Handy Book of American Authors, … U.S., Find a Grave® Index, … The New England Historical & … Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography OneWorldTree United States Billion Graves index … US Census 1850 - Findmypast

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Researchers connected through Henry Thoreau 1817–1862

and 11 more tree owners connected with Henry Thoreau 1817–1862

Immediate Family

Parents

John Thoreau Sr

Cynthia Dunbar

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

No children recorded

Biography

In 1817, Henry David Thoreau entered the world in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, born to john thoreau sr and cynthia dunbar. Henry David Thoreau passed away in 1862 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts.

Sources

1

Census 1850 United States Federal Census
2

Census 1860 United States Federal Census
3

Record Family Data Collection - Individual Records
4

Record Handy Book of American Authors, 1907
5

Burial Records U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
6

Record The New England Historical & Genealogical Register
7

Record Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography
8

Record OneWorldTree
9

Record United States Billion Graves index - Findmypast
10

Record US Census 1850 - Findmypast

Life Timeline

1817

Birth of Henry David Thoreau in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Birth

1862

Death of Henry David Thoreau in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from Henry Thoreau

This ancestor line traces from Loch Awe, Argyll, Scotland (1370) to Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, (1817) across 13 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: Henry Thoreau (1817–1862) was born in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts and died in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts. 12 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees, each with their own records. This page combines what they've independently documented and assigns a Reliability Score (B) based on cross-tree validation.
: Right now, 12 researchers on YourRoots have Henry in their trees. They're working independently, so connecting with them is a good way to cross-check your records and find things you might have missed. You can also explore the ancestor migration map that traces 13 generations of this lineage geographically.
: It varies by researcher — some have census records, others have marriage certificates, parish registers, or family Bible entries. Scroll up to see exactly what each person has cited.
: Use the "Compare Tree" button on any researcher's profile above. You can compare your tree side by side with theirs, see where your records overlap or differ, and collaborate to fill gaps.