Who was William Cotton?

William Cotton (1609–1661) was born in Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England and died in Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England. 3 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching William?

Right now, 3 researchers on YourRoots have William in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 1 generations of this lineage.

What records do they have for William?

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.

William Cotton 1609–1661

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 3 independent trees

Birth year and location consistent across 3 trees

Death year and location consistent across 3 trees

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

C Reliability

Reliability Score: C

Basic — 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

3 researchers on YourRoots have William Cotton in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 1 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: C — verified across 3 independent trees

Born 15 Jan 1609 · Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England

Died 25 Mar 1661 · Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England

Children Jane Cotton

Compare Tree

Researchers connected through William Cotton 1609–1661

and 2 more tree owners connected with William Cotton 1609–1661

Immediate Family

Parents

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

Jane Cotton

Biography

In 1609, William Cotton entered the world in Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England. William Cotton had children including jane cotton. William Cotton passed away in 1661 in Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England.

Sources

Life Timeline

1609

Birth of William Cotton in Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England

Birth

1661

Death of William Cotton in Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from William Cotton

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: William Cotton (1609–1661) was born in Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England and died in Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England. 3 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 (C) based on cross-tree validation.
: Right now, 3 researchers on YourRoots have William 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 1 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.

Related Records

William Cotton's Ancestors

Pedigree chart — 3 generations on record

Self

William Cotton PTP

1609–1661

Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England