Who was Joseph Smith?

Joseph Smith (1886–1973) was born in Baxterville, Marion, Mississippi, United States and died in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching Joseph?

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

What records do they have for Joseph?

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.

Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith 1886–1973

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 Joseph Smith 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: August 25, 2026 · Reliability: B — verified across 2 independent trees, with linked records

Born 4 JAN 1886 · Baxterville, Marion, Mississippi, United States

Died 17 AUG 1973 · Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi

Father Grady Lee Hartfield

Mother Maurice H Davis

Spouse Jesse Cox

Children Lewis Cox

Siblings Deborah Lee Deb Hartfield, Kimberly Ann Kim Hartfield, Steven Hartfield

Records

1900 United States Federal Census 1930 United States Federal Census U.S., Find a Grave® Index, … U.S., Social Security Death Index, … U.S., World War I Draft … U.S., WWI Civilian Draft Registrations Social Security Death Index (CD … U.S., Find A Grave Index, …

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Researchers connected through Joseph Smith 1886–1973

and 1 more tree owner connected with Joseph Smith 1886–1973

Immediate Family

Parents

Spouse(s)

Children

Biography

The story of Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith began in 1886 in Baxterville, Marion, Mississippi, United States. In 1900, Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith resided in Marion, Mississippi. In 1918, Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith resided in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi. Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith married jesse cox, and had children including lewis cox. Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith passed away in 1973 in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi.

Sources

1

Census 1900 United States Federal Census
2

Census 1930 United States Federal Census
3

Burial Records U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
4

Death Records U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
5

Military U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
6

Military U.S., WWI Civilian Draft Registrations
7

Death Records Social Security Death Index (CD ROM)
8

Record U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1700s-Current

Life Timeline

1886

Birth of Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith in Baxterville, Marion, Mississippi, United States

Birth

1900

Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith resided here in Marion, Mississippi

Residence

1918

Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith resided here in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi

Residence

1930

Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith resided here in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi

Residence

1973

Death of Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith in Hattiesburg, Forrest, Mississippi, United States

Death

1973

Burial of Joseph Rutillus "Tillus" Smith in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi

Burial

Oldest Ancestor Line from Joseph Smith

This ancestor line traces from Kiln, Hancock, Mississippi (1857) to Baxterville, Marion, Mississippi (1886) across 2 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: Joseph Smith (1886–1973) was born in Baxterville, Marion, Mississippi, United States and died in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi. 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 Joseph 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.