Ruth Smith (1886–1972) was born in Shanghai, China and died in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching Ruth?

Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have Ruth in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 11 generations of this lineage.

What records do they have for Ruth?

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

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Ruth Bailhache Smith 1886–1972

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 Ruth Smith in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 11 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 23 JAN 1886 · Shanghai, China

Died 14 OCT 1972 · Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Father John Nicolas Bailhache Smith

Mother Fannie Madorah Strong

Spouse Clarence Lucius Foster

Children Elizabeth Foster, Jeannette Foster, John Foster, Katharine May Foster, Margaret Ruth Foster

Siblings Edward Morgan Smith, Francis Strong Smith, Helen Katherine Smith, James Addison Smith, John Erwin Smith, Madorah Elizabeth Smith, Mary Louise Smith

Records

U.S., Find a Grave Index

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Researchers connected through Ruth Smith 1886–1972

and 1 more tree owner connected with Ruth Smith 1886–1972

Immediate Family

Parents

John Nicolas Bailhache Smith

Fannie Madorah Strong

Spouse(s)

Clarence Lucius Foster

Children

Biography

The story of Ruth Bailhache Smith began in 1886 in Shanghai, China. Ruth Bailhache Smith married clarence lucius foster, and had children including elizabeth foster, jeannette foster, john foster, katharine may foster, margaret ruth foster. Ruth Bailhache Smith passed away in 1972 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Sources

1

Burial Records U.S., Find a Grave Index

Life Timeline

1886

Birth of Ruth Bailhache Smith in Shanghai, China

Birth

1972

Death of Ruth Bailhache Smith in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from Ruth Smith

This ancestor line traces from London, England (1571) to Shanghai, China (1886) across 11 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: Ruth Smith (1886–1972) was born in Shanghai, China and died in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 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 Ruth 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 11 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.