Jane Shirley Smith is a name that appears across historical records, but finding a single, definitive identity for her proves challenging. This is because “Jane Shirley Smith” is a name shared by multiple individuals across different times and places .
This article explores what can be pieced together from historical records and genealogical data. We will examine the different individuals who carried this name, their families, and the lives they led. If you are searching for a specific Jane Shirley Smith—perhaps the one connected to media mogul Ted Turner —this guide will help you navigate the available information and understand the complexities of tracing a common name through history.
Quick Bio Table
It is not possible to create a single bio table for Jane Shirley Smith, as records point to multiple individuals with this name. Below are summaries of the prominent individuals identified through genealogical research.
Jane Shirley Smith (born c. 1936)
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jane Shirley Smith |
| Known For | Recorded in the 1940 U.S. Census |
| Birth Year | About 1936 |
| Birthplace | Alabama, USA |
| Race | White |
| Residence in 1940 | Thornhill Road, Jefferson County, Alabama |
| Parents | Masse A. Smith (father), A.G. Smith (mother) |
| Siblings | Masse D. Smith Jr. |
Shirley Jane Smith (1889-1965)
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shirley Jane Smith (also Jane Shirley Smith) |
| Birth | 30 January 1889 in Adelaide, South Australia |
| Death | 1965 |
| Parents | George Smith (father), Ellen Burgess Crockett (mother) |
| Emigration | Emigrated to the United States in 1923 |
| Known For | Lived with her friend Jeannie MacFadyen; buried together with a stone reading “Friends For Life” |
| Final Resting Place | Mount Hope Cemetery, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York |
Who Is Jane Shirley Smith?
The search for Jane Shirley Smith reveals that she is not just one person, but a name shared by several individuals. This section will break down the different lives documented in public records.
Jane Shirley Smith of Alabama
The 1940 U.S. Census records a four-year-old girl named Jane Shirley Smith. She was living on Thornhill Road in Jefferson County, Alabama . Her family at the time consisted of her father, Masse A. Smith, her mother, A.G. Smith, and her younger brother, Masse D. Smith Jr.
Shirley Jane Smith of Australia and New York
Another individual, Shirley Jane Smith, was born on January 30, 1889, in Adelaide, South Australia, to George Smith and Ellen Burgess Crockett . The family moved to Scotland by 1897, and she later emigrated to the United States in 1923 . She lived with her friend Jeannie MacFadyen in New York, and the two were buried together in Mount Hope Cemetery in Hastings-on-Hudson, with a headstone that read “Friends For Life” . She passed away in 1965 .
A Note on Other Individuals
The name Shirley Jane Smith is also connected to other individuals in genealogical databases. These include:
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A woman born in 1932 in Montana who passed away in 1990 .
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A woman born in 1933 in New York who passed away in 1999 in North Carolina .
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A woman born in 1927 in Nebraska who married George Eugene Higer and passed away in 1975 .
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A woman born in 1927 in Superior, Nebraska, whose detailed obituary notes she was one of seven children and a bookkeeper .
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A woman born in 1959 who lived only a day .
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A woman born in 1926 in Detroit who passed away in 2006 in Florida .
The Confusion of Names
The challenge in creating a single biography for Jane Shirley Smith is that she is multiple people. Without a specific identifier—like a date of birth, a spouse’s name, or a known life event—it is impossible to know which “Jane Shirley Smith” you are searching for.
For example, a search result for “Jane Shirley Smith” leads to a biography of Ted Turner’s second wife, but the source is inaccessible and does not provide further clarifying details . This reinforces the need for specificity when researching individuals with common names.
Key Takeaways
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The name “Jane Shirley Smith” is shared by at least two distinct individuals found in historical records.
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These records span from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century and cover different countries, including the U.S., Australia, and the UK.
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Without more specific details, it is difficult to determine which Jane Shirley Smith is the subject of a search.
FAQ Section
Who is Jane Shirley Smith in the 1940 census?
The 1940 U.S. Census lists a Jane Shirley Smith as a four-year-old girl living in Jefferson County, Alabama, with her parents Masse A. Smith and A.G. Smith, and her brother Masse D. Smith Jr. .
Was Jane Shirley Smith born in Australia?
Yes, one Shirley Jane Smith was born on January 30, 1889, in Adelaide, Australia .
What is the story of Shirley Jane Smith and Jeannie MacFadyen?
Shirley Jane Smith (1889-1965) emigrated to the U.S. and lived with her friend Jeannie MacFadyen. They were buried together under a headstone inscribed “Friends For Life” .
Was Jane Shirley Smith married to Ted Turner?
One search result suggests that a “Jane Shirley Smith” was the second wife of Ted Turner, but the specific details are unavailable and require further research .
Final Thoughts
The search for Jane Shirley Smith is a reminder that history is not always straightforward. A single name can belong to many people, each with their own unique story. From a four-year-old in Alabama to a woman born in Australia, the name “Jane Shirley Smith” appears across the 20th century, tied to a tapestry of different lives. To find the person you are looking for, it is essential to have more specific details. Otherwise, you may find yourself discovering not one life, but many.
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