John Smith (1819–1896) was born in Ledyard, Connecticut, USA and died in Norwich, Connecticut, USA. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching John?

Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have John in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 30 generations of this lineage.

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

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John Owen Smith 1819–1896

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.

A Reliability

Reliability Score: A

Strong — 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 John Smith in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 30 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: A — verified across 2 independent trees, with linked records

Born 6 OCT 1819 · Ledyard, Connecticut, USA

Died 1 MAY 1896 · Norwich, Connecticut, USA

Father Prentice Park Smith

Mother Maria Avery

Spouse Abbie Shepleigh King

Children Julia Octavia Smith, Owen Shepleigh Smith

Siblings Austin Avery Smith, Ezra Leonard Smith, Frances Harriet Smith, Henry Nelson Smith, Lucian H Smith, Mary Louise Smith, Prentice Orrin Smith, Sally Maria Smith, William Curtis Smith

Records

1880 United States Federal Census Connecticut Town Birth Records, Pre-1870 …

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Researchers connected through John Smith 1819–1896

and 1 more tree owner connected with John Smith 1819–1896

Immediate Family

Parents

Spouse(s)

Children

Biography

In 1819, John Owen Smith entered the world in Ledyard, Connecticut, USA, born to prentice park smith and maria avery. In 1880, John Owen Smith resided in Franklin, New London, Connecticut, United States. John Owen Smith married abbie shepleigh king, and had children including julia octavia smith, owen shepleigh smith. John Owen Smith passed away in 1896 in Norwich, Connecticut, USA.

Sources

1

Census 1880 United States Federal Census
2

Birth Records Connecticut Town Birth Records, Pre-1870 (Barbour Collection)

Life Timeline

1819

Birth of John Owen Smith in Ledyard, Connecticut, USA

Birth

1880

John Owen Smith resided here in Franklin, New London, Connecticut, United States

Residence

1896

Death of John Owen Smith in Norwich, Connecticut, USA

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from John Smith

This ancestor line traces from Eure, Loire, Rhone-Alpes, France (1000) to Ledyard, Connecticut, USA (1819) across 30 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: John Smith (1819–1896) was born in Ledyard, Connecticut, USA and died in Norwich, Connecticut, 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 (A) based on cross-tree validation.
: Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have John 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 30 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.