Who was William Pettit?

William Pettit (1927–2007) was born in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA and died in Livonia, Wayne, Michigan, USA. 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 11 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 James Pettit 1927–2007

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.

A Reliability

Reliability Score: A

Strong — 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 Pettit 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: July 22, 2026 · Reliability: A — verified across 2 independent trees, with linked records

Born 8 Nov 1927 · Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA

Died 19 Dec 2007 · Livonia, Wayne, Michigan, USA

Father Cyril Joseph Pettit

Mother Harriet Agnes Helen Forestell

Siblings Cyril Anthony Pettit, Harriet Ann Pettit, Joseph Allan Pettit, Margaret Ellen Pettit

Records

1930 United States Federal Census 1940 United States Federal Census 1950 United States Federal Census U.S., Social Security Death Index, …

Compare Tree

Researchers connected through William Pettit 1927–2007

and 1 more tree owner connected with William Pettit 1927–2007

Immediate Family

Parents

Cyril Joseph Pettit

Harriet Agnes Helen Forestell

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

No children recorded

Biography

The story of William James Pettit began in 1927 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA. In 1930, William James Pettit resided in Detroit (Districts 501-750), Detroit, Wayne, Michi. In 1935, William James Pettit resided in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. William James Pettit passed away in 2007 in Livonia, Wayne, Michigan, USA.

Sources

1

Census 1930 United States Federal Census
2

Census 1940 United States Federal Census
3

Census 1950 United States Federal Census
4

Death Records U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014

Life Timeline

1927

Birth of William James Pettit in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA

Birth

1930

William James Pettit resided here in Detroit (Districts 501-750), Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA

Residence

1935

William James Pettit resided here in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan

Residence

1940

William James Pettit resided here in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA

Residence

1950

William James Pettit resided here in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA

Residence

1954

William James Pettit - Ordination

Ordination

2007

Death of William James Pettit in Livonia, Wayne, Michigan, USA

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from William Pettit

This ancestor line traces from Norwich, Norfolk, , England (1580) to Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA (1927) across 11 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: William Pettit (1927–2007) was born in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA and died in Livonia, Wayne, Michigan, 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 (A) 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 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.