Who was Willis Smith?

Willis Smith (1875–1937) was born in Jones, Mississippi, United States and died in Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, United States. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching Willis?

Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have Willis in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 3 generations of this lineage.

What records do they have for Willis?

Records vary by researcher and can include census, vital, parish, cemetery, and family sources.

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Willis Berry Smith 1875–1937

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.

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

2 researchers on YourRoots have Willis Smith 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: August 25, 2026 · Reliability: B — verified across 2 independent trees, with linked records

Born 11 OCT 1875 · Jones, Mississippi, United States

Died 28 MAY 1937 · Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, United States

Father Robert Reade

Mother Mary Lilly

Siblings Margaret Reade

Records

1880 United States Federal Census

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Researchers connected through Willis Smith 1875–1937

and 1 more tree owner connected with Willis Smith 1875–1937

Immediate Family

Parents

Robert Reade

Mary Lilly

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

No children recorded

Biography

Willis Berry Smith was born in 1875 in Jones, Mississippi, United States, the child of robert reade and mary lilly. In 1880, Willis Berry Smith resided in Pineville, Jones, Mississippi. Willis Berry Smith passed away in 1937 in Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, United States.

Sources

1

Census 1880 United States Federal Census

Life Timeline

1875

Birth of Willis Berry Smith in Jones, Mississippi, United States

Birth

1880

Willis Berry Smith resided here in Pineville, Jones, Mississippi

Residence

1937

Death of Willis Berry Smith in Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, United States

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from Willis Smith

This ancestor line traces from Georgia (1805) to Jones, Mississippi (1875) across 3 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: Willis Smith (1875–1937) was born in Jones, Mississippi, United States and died in Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, United States. 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 (B) based on cross-tree validation.
: Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have Willis 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.