Though no birth records exist, church records indicate that a William Shakespeare was baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. From this it is believed he was born on or near April 23, 1564.William was the third child of John and Mary Shakespeare. The first two were daughters and William was himself followed by Gilbert who died in 1612 and Richard who died in 1613. Edmund (1580-1607)