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Thomas Alva Edison 1847–1931

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 8 independent trees
Birth year and location consistent across 8 trees
Death year and location consistent across 8 trees

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

B Reliability
B
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

8 researchers on YourRoots have Thomas Edison in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 18 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 8 independent trees

Born 11 Feb 1847 · Milan, Erie, Ohio, USA
Died 18 Oct 1931 · West Orange, Essex, New Jersey, USA
Father Samuel Ogden Edison
Mother Nancy Elliott (1810–1871)
Spouse Mary Jane Stillwell
Children Charles Edison, Madeleine Edison, Marion Estelle Edison, Theodore Miller Edison, Thomas Alva Edison Jr, William Leslie Edison
Siblings Carlile Snow Edison, Eliza Smith Edison, Harriet Ann Edison, Mabel Clare Edison, Marion Wallace Edison, Maryette Edison, Maude M Edison, Samuel Ogden Edison Iii, William Pitt Edison

Researchers connected through Thomas Edison 1847–1931

and 7 more tree owners connected with Thomas Edison 1847–1931

Biography

In 1847, Thomas Alva Edison entered the world in Milan, Erie, Ohio, USA, born to samuel ogden edison and nancy matthews elliott. Thomas Alva Edison married mary jane stillwell, mina miller, and had children including charles edison, madeleine edison, marion estelle edison, theodore miller edison, thomas alva edison jr, william leslie edison. Thomas Alva Edison passed away in 1931 in West Orange, Essex, New Jersey, USA.

Sources

  1. 1
    Census 1880 United States Federal Census

  2. 2
    Census 1910 United States Federal Census

  3. 3
    Burial Records U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current

Life Timeline

1847
Birth of Thomas Alva Edison in Milan, Erie, Ohio, USA
Birth
1931
Death of Thomas Alva Edison in West Orange, Essex, New Jersey, USA
Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from Thomas Edison

This ancestor line traces from Évreux, Eure, Haute-Normandie, France (1000) to Milan, Erie, Ohio, USA (1847) across 18 generations.

Direct Lineage
generations

Frequently Asked Questions

Thomas Edison (1847–1931) was born in Milan, Erie, Ohio, USA and died in West Orange, Essex, New Jersey, USA. 8 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, 8 researchers on YourRoots have Thomas 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 18 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.

Thomas Edison's Ancestors

Pedigree chart — 3 generations on record

Self
Thomas Alva Edison PTP
1847–1931
Milan, Erie, Ohio, USA
Parents
Unknown
Nancy Matthews Elliott PTP
1810–1871
New Berlin, Chenango, New York, USA
Grandparents
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown

Thomas Edison's Descendants

1.
TE
Thomas Alva Edison PTP 1847–1931