Who was William Smith?

William Smith (1823–1881) was born in Great Neston, Cheshire, England and died in Ararat, Victoria, Australia. 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 7 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 Smith 1823–1881

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 Smith in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 7 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: A — verified across 2 independent trees, with linked records

Born 23 Mar 1823 · Great Neston, Cheshire, England

Died 16 Oct 1881 · Ararat, Victoria, Australia

Father William Smith

Mother Catharine Walley

Spouse Annie Wright

Children Annie Smith, Catherine Fanny Smith, Charles Edward Smith, Chester Hamilton Whalley Smith, Emily Smith, George Robert Smith, Henry James Smith, John Smith, Lizzie Wright Smith, Lucy May Smith, Mary Elizabeth Smith, Sarah Smith, Thomas Smith, William Smith

Siblings Annie Smith, Emily Smith, James Smith, John Smith

Records

1851 England Census Australia Cemetery Index, 1808-2007 Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922 Geneanet Community Trees Index Victoria, Australia, Wills and Probate … England, Select Marriages Australia Death Index Victoria, Australia, Death Index Liverpool, England, Church of England … OneWorldTree Victoria, Australia, Birth Index, 1837-1917

Compare Tree

Researchers connected through William Smith 1823–1881

and 1 more tree owner connected with William Smith 1823–1881

Immediate Family

Parents

Spouse(s)

Children

Catherine Fanny Smith

Charles Edward Smith

Chester Hamilton Whalley Smith

Biography

The story of William Smith began in 1823 in Great Neston, Cheshire, England. In 1851, William Smith resided in Hyde, Cheshire, England. William Smith married annie wright, mary parry, and had children including annie smith, catherine fanny smith, charles edward smith, chester hamilton whalley smith, emily smith, george robert smith, henry james smith, john smith, lizzie wright smith, lucy may smith, mary elizabeth smith, sarah smith, thomas smith, william smith. William Smith passed away in 1881 in Ararat, Victoria, Australia.

Sources

1

Census 1851 England Census
2

Burial Records Australia Cemetery Index, 1808-2007
3

Birth Records Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922
4

Record Geneanet Community Trees Index
5

Probate/Wills Victoria, Australia, Wills and Probate Records, 1841-2009
6

Marriage Records England, Select Marriages
7

Death Records Australia Death Index
8

Death Records Victoria, Australia, Death Index
9

Record Liverpool, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1932
10

Record OneWorldTree
11

Record Victoria, Australia, Birth Index, 1837-1917

Life Timeline

1823

Birth of William Smith in Great Neston, Cheshire, England

Birth

1851

William Smith resided here in Hyde, Cheshire, England

Residence

1881

Death of William Smith in Ararat, Victoria, Australia

Death

1881

William Smith - Probate

Probate

Oldest Ancestor Line from William Smith

This ancestor line traces from Cheshire, England (1599) to Great Neston, Cheshire, England (1823) across 7 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: William Smith (1823–1881) was born in Great Neston, Cheshire, England and died in Ararat, Victoria, Australia. 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 7 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.