Who was William Smith?

William Smith (1939–1984) was born in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi and died in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi. 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 23 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 Riley Smith 1939–1984

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 23 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 May 1939 · Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi

Died 8 Sep 1984 · Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi

Father Jesse James Smith Sr

Mother Katherine Kat Parker

Siblings Claude Herschel Smith, James Ershell Tokey Smith, Jesse James Smith Jr, Jimmie Eli Smith, Lillian Lorraine Smith, Mary Nell Smith, Mavis Marie Smith

Records

1940 United States Federal Census U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs … U.S., Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current U.S., Social Security Applications and … U.S., Social Security Death Index, … U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index Social Security Death Index (CD … Newspapers.com - Hattiesburg American - … Washington, D.C., U.S., Arriving Passenger … Web: Mississippi, Find A Grave …

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Researchers connected through William Smith 1939–1984

and 1 more tree owner connected with William Smith 1939–1984

Immediate Family

Parents

Jesse James Smith Sr

Katherine Kat Parker

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

No children recorded

Biography

In 1939, William Riley Smith entered the world in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi, born to jesse james smith sr and katherine kat parker. In 1940, William Riley Smith resided in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi. William Riley Smith passed away in 1984 in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi.

Sources

1

Census 1940 United States Federal Census
2

Death Records U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010
3

Newspaper U.S., Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current
4

Social Security U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
5

Death Records U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
6

Newspaper/Obituary U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index
7

Death Records Social Security Death Index (CD ROM)
8

Record Newspapers.com - Hattiesburg American - 7 Sep 1984 - Page 2
9

Record Washington, D.C., U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists of Airplanes, 1942-1962
10

Record Web: Mississippi, Find A Grave Index, 1798-2011

Life Timeline

1939

Birth of William Riley Smith in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi

Birth

1940

William Riley Smith resided here in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi

Residence

1969

William Riley Smith resided here in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi

Residence

1984

Death of William Riley Smith in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi

Death

1984

Burial of William Riley Smith in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi

Burial

Oldest Ancestor Line from William Smith

This ancestor line traces from Wendover, Buckinghamshire, England (1231) to Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi (1939) across 23 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: William Smith (1939–1984) was born in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi and died in Baxterville, Lamar, Mississippi. 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 23 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.