Wells Family Genealogy & History

H. G. Wells, born Herbert George Wells on September 21, 1866, in Bromley, Kent, was a prolific English writer renowned for his groundbreaking science fiction novels. His most notable works include "The Time Machine," "The War of the Worlds," and "The Invisible Man." Wells earned the title "father of science fiction" and was praised by contemporaries like Joseph Conrad. A futurist and social critic, his visionary ideas encompassed aircraft, space travel, and the World Wide Web. Nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature four times, Wells also co-founded The Diabetic Association (Diabetes UK) in 1934.

Wells was the fourth child of Joseph Wells, a former domestic gardener and professional cricketer, and Sarah Neal, a former domestic servant. The family struggled financially due to the failure of their shop and Joseph's cricketing injury. Wells’s early life and education were marked by hardship, influencing his literary themes of social realism and class critique.

Jaylen Wells, born on August 26, 2003, is a promising American basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. After an impressive high school career at Folsom High School in Sacramento, California, Wells showcased his talents in college basketball with the Sonoma State Seawolves and the Washington State Cougars. Known for his scoring prowess, he was named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year. Drafted 39th overall by the Grizzlies in 2024, Wells made an impactful NBA debut, earning Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors. Despite a rookie season-ending wrist injury, he ranked fourth among eligible rookies with 10.4 points per game.

Dawn Elberta Wells (1938–2020) was an iconic American actress, most renowned for her portrayal of Mary Ann Summers in the beloved sitcom "Gilligan's Island." The series, which aired from 1964 to 1967, cemented her status as a pop culture icon. Wells reprised her role in various spin-offs and reunions, including "Rescue from Gilligan's Island" and "Gilligan's Planet." Her career also spanned appearances in shows like "The Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island." Wells further celebrated her character through ventures like "Mary Ann's Gilligan's Island Cookbook" and her book "What Would Mary Ann Do? A Guide to Life," which marked the show's 50th anniversary.

Dawn Wells was born in Reno, Nevada, to parents Evelyn (née Steinbrenner) and Joe Wesley Wells, who owned a construction company named "Wells Cargo." She graduated from Reno High School and pursued higher education at Stephens College and the University of Washington, where she graduated with a degree in theater arts and design. Her familial background in Reno provided a stable foundation for her future success in Hollywood.

Ida B. Wells was a pioneering African American journalist, educator, and civil rights leader. Born in 1862, she was a co-founder of the NAACP and a key figure in the fight against racial prejudice and violence. Her investigative journalism, particularly on the lynching of African Americans, was groundbreaking. Notable works include "Southern Horrors" and "The Red Record," which exposed the brutality of lynching. An advocate for African American and women's rights, Wells was also active in the suffrage movement. Her courageous reporting and activism earned her a posthumous Pulitzer Prize special citation in 2020.

Ida B. Wells was born into slavery to James Madison Wells and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Warrenton in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Her father, James, was the mixed-race son of an enslaved woman and her white enslaver, and he became a trustee of Shaw University after emancipation. Lizzie was trafficked away from her family in Virginia and became known as a renowned cook. The Wells family lived on the Boling Farm, where both parents were enslaved. After emancipation, James founded a successful carpentry business and was active in politics. Ida was the eldest of their eight children.