Who was William Wells?

William Wells (1604–1671) was born in Norwich, Norfolk, , England and died in Southold, Suffolk, New York, Colonial America. 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 3 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 Wells 1604–1671

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 Wells in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 3 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: B — verified across 13 independent trees, with linked records

Born 10 Feb 1604 · Norwich, Norfolk, , England

Died 13 Nov 1671 · Southold, Suffolk, New York, Colonial America

Father John Wells

Mother Elizabeth Elyott

Siblings Alice Wells, Richard Wells

Records

Geneanet Community Trees Index The Compendium of American Genealogy, … U.S. and International Marriage Records, … OneWorldTree William Wells of Southhold and …

Compare Tree

Researchers connected through William Wells 1604–1671

and 12 more tree owners connected with William Wells 1604–1671

Immediate Family

Parents

John Wells

Elizabeth Elyott

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

No children recorded

Biography

In 1604, William Wells entered the world in Norwich, Norfolk, England, born to john wells and elizabeth elyott. William Wells passed away in 1671 in Southold, Suffolk, New York, Colonial America.

Sources

1

Record Geneanet Community Trees Index
2

Record The Compendium of American Genealogy, Vol. VII
3

Marriage Records U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
4

Record OneWorldTree
5

Record William Wells of Southhold and his descendants, A.D. 1638 to 1878

Life Timeline

1604

Birth of William Wells in Norwich, Norfolk, England

Birth

1671

Death of William Wells in Southold, Suffolk, New York, Colonial America

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from William Wells

This ancestor line traces from Ringstead, Northamptonshire, England (1537) to Norwich, Norfolk, England (1604) across 3 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: William Wells (1604–1671) was born in Norwich, Norfolk, , England and died in Southold, Suffolk, New York, Colonial America. 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 3 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.