Who was William Drake?

William Drake (1553–1616) was born in Halstead, Essex, England and died in Elmstead, Essex, England. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching William?

Right now, 2 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 Drake 1553–1616

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 William Drake 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: B — verified across 2 independent trees

Born 5 May 1553 · Halstead, Essex, England

Died 3 Nov 1616 · Elmstead, Essex, England

Spouse Joane Merrylls

Children Robert Drake

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Researchers connected through William Drake 1553–1616

and 1 more tree owner connected with William Drake 1553–1616

Immediate Family

Parents

Spouse(s)

Joane Merrylls

Children

Robert Drake

Biography

The story of William Drake began in 1553 in Halstead, Essex, England. William Drake married joane merrylls, and had children including robert drake. William Drake passed away in 1616 in Elmstead, Essex, England.

Sources

Life Timeline

1553

Birth of William Drake in Halstead, Essex, England

Birth

1616

Death of William Drake in Elmstead, Essex, England

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from William Drake

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: William Drake (1553–1616) was born in Halstead, Essex, England and died in Elmstead, Essex, England. 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 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 Drake in the US Census

View census records

William Drake's Ancestors

Pedigree chart — 3 generations on record

Self

William Drake PTP

1553–1616

Halstead, Essex, England