Who was James Richardson?

James Richardson (1886–1916) was born in Ramsey, Fayette, Illinois, USA and died in Decatur, Macon, Illinois, USA. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching James?

Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have James in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 2 generations of this lineage.

What records do they have for James?

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.

James Zephaniah Richardson 1886–1916

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 2 independent trees

Birth year and location consistent across 2 trees

Death year and location consistent across 2 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

2 researchers on YourRoots have James Richardson in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 2 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 2 independent trees

Born 11 Apr 1886 · Ramsey, Fayette, Illinois, USA

Died 7 Mar 1916 · Decatur, Macon, Illinois, USA

Father Shelton Ward Richardson

Mother Harriet B Donaldson

Siblings Arthur Richardson, Clarice Deward Richardson, Dennis Eugene Richardson, Earnest Earl Richardson, Esther Pearl Richardson, Ethel May Richardson, Gretrude May Richardson, Inez Adella Richardson, Jepha Richardson, Lewis Robert Richardson, Oral Bill Richardson, Ward Richardson, William Nelson Richardson

Compare Tree

Researchers connected through James Richardson 1886–1916

and 1 more tree owner connected with James Richardson 1886–1916

Immediate Family

Parents

Shelton Ward Richardson

Harriet B Donaldson

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

No children recorded

Biography

James Zephaniah Richardson was born in 1886 in Ramsey, Fayette, Illinois, USA, the child of shelton ward richardson and harriet b donaldson. James Zephaniah Richardson passed away in 1916 in Decatur, Macon, Illinois, USA.

Sources

Life Timeline

1886

Birth of James Zephaniah Richardson in Ramsey, Fayette, Illinois, USA

Birth

1916

Death of James Zephaniah Richardson in Decatur, Macon, Illinois, USA

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from James Richardson

This ancestor line traces from Nineveh, Johnson, Indiana, United States (1863) to Ramsey, Fayette, Illinois, USA (1886) across 2 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: James Richardson (1886–1916) was born in Ramsey, Fayette, Illinois, USA and died in Decatur, Macon, Illinois, USA. 2 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, 2 researchers on YourRoots have James 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 2 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.