Who was William French?

William French (1603–1681) was born in Halstead,Essex,England and died in Billerica,Middlesex,Ma. 13 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching William?

Right now, 13 researchers on YourRoots have William in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 5 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 French 1603–1681

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 13 independent trees

Birth year and location consistent across 13 trees

Death year and location consistent across 13 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

13 researchers on YourRoots have William French in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 5 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 13 independent trees

Born 15 MAR 1603 · Halstead,Essex,England

Died 20 NOV 1681 · Billerica,Middlesex,Ma

Father Thomas French (1643–1656)

Mother Agnes Or Anne Olmstead

Siblings Ann French, David French, Dorothy French, Edward French, Eleanor French, Elizabeth French, Francis French, Jemima French, John French, Judith French, Margaret French, Martha Toothaker Hill, Mary French, Robert French, Samuel French

Records

Geneanet Community Trees Index U.S., Find a Grave® Index, … Historic Land Ownership and Reference … History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts … Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, …

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Researchers connected through William French 1603–1681

and 12 more tree owners connected with William French 1603–1681

Immediate Family

Parents

Thomas French

1643–1656

Agnes Or Anne Olmstead

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

No children recorded

Biography

In 1603, William French entered the world in Halstead,Essex,England, born to thomas french and agnes or anne olmstead. William French passed away in 1681 in Billerica,Middlesex,Ma.

Sources

1

Record Geneanet Community Trees Index
2

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

Record Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases, 1507-2000
4

Record History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men
5

Record Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-Current

Life Timeline

1603

Birth of William French in Halstead,Essex,England

Birth

1681

Death of William French in Billerica,Middlesex,Ma

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from William French

This ancestor line traces from Great Leighs, Chelmsford Borough, Essex, England (1460) to Halstead,Essex,England (1603) across 5 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: William French (1603–1681) was born in Halstead,Essex,England and died in Billerica,Middlesex,Ma. 13 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, 13 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 5 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.