Subject: Re: Merrill family William H Merrill
Date: Tue, September 2, 2008 3:34p

Question: Barb Merrill Flint wrote:

I am a desendent of Nathaniel Merrill through Mead Merrill. I do not know much of this branch. Rensslear Merrill married a Henriette Laura Sweet in Cortland but can not find her family. Can you help? Thanks Barb

Answer: Barb:

We do not have much info on Henrietta Laura Sweet except that in the 1850 census her mother, Olive Sweet, 64, b. MA was living with Renssalear, 51, and Henrietta L, 46, and family in Almira NY

How do you descend from Renssalear?

We are Howard and Jean Merrill. For twenty five years we have been trying to database the Merrill/Merrell family nationwide from the original immigrants down to the present day for all immigrant lines. So far we have info on over 60,000 Merrill males plus their wives and daughters in our database, but we estimate there have been well over a100,000 so we have a long way to go, and need and appreciate all the help we can get, particularly with the later generations. We use this database strictly to try and help folks trace their Merrill roots. Be assured that no info on living individuals will become internet accessible from us.

While our database is not internet searchable, we will be glad to search it for anybody and share what we find at no cost. All we ask is that folks share their Merrill data with us so that we can expand our database and do a better job of helping solve Merrill lineage problems.

Howard and Jean Merrill

Subject: Re: Merrill family Nathan P Merrill
Date: Sat, September 6, 2008 4:54p

Question: Stacy Merrill wrote:

I've searched the Merrill Memorial and cannot find a connection. I'd really appreciate your advice on where to go. I am of the Merrills of Burns Twp Shiawassee county michigan. I'm stuck at Nathan Merrill b.1823 d.1892 married to Ann Euler b. 1833 d.1913(census indicates they were born in New York-I lose the trail there) parents of: Daniel Merrill b. 1871 d. 1938 married 1897 to Orpha L. Fraiser. I appreciate any advice you can give me and would be happy to share what I have.

Thank you, Stacy Merrill

Answer: Stacy:

Your Nathan P (7) Merrill is believed to be a descendant of "Thomas, son of Thomas, baptized 1646 Nov 1 in Hartford CT" mentioned on pg 643 of MM under unidentified CT Merrills. His lineage is believed to be Nathan P (7), Jeremiiah C (6), Gad (5,4), John (3), Thomas (2,1). John (3) and son Gad (4) are mentioned on MM pgs 641 and 642. More details are available.

We are Howard and Jean Merrill. For twenty five years we have been trying to database the Merrill/Merrell family nationwide from the original immigrants down to the present day for all immigrant lines. So far we have info on over 60,000 Merrill males plus their wives and daughters in our database, but we estimate there have been well over a100,000 so we have a long way to go, and need and appreciate all the help we can get, particularly with the later generations. We use this database strictly to try and help folks trace their Merrill roots. Be assured that no info on living individuals will become internet accessible from us.

While our database is not internet searchable, we will be glad to search it for anybody and share what we find at no cost. All we ask is that folks share their Merrill data with us so that we can expand our database and do a better job of helping solve Merrill lineage problems.

What is your Merrill line from Nathan down to the present? Is your father living, or do you have a brother? In addition to wanting to collect Merrill information, your line is of particular interest. On MM page 40/41 there is a relationship chart for immigrant Nathaniel, his ancestors and cousins. His uncle Thomas and Rose Pearson had a son Thomas b. before 1600. It has been proposed that this son Thomas, Nathaniel's cousin, may be the Thomas whose son was baptized in Hartford in 1646. This brings up the new technique of DNA testing. The DNA associated with the male Y-chromosome is passed essentially unchanged from father to son for many, many generations, tens or hundreds. All of Nathaniel's male descendants share the same DNA pattern, and cousin Thomas's descendants would also. The problem is that we have been unable to find a living male Merrill descended from Thomas of Hartford, willing to be DNA tested. It is a simple saliva test. So if your father is living, or you have a brother, male Merrill cousin, or Merrill uncle, we would be very interested in contacting them about DNA testing. This new tool could answer the question, Were Nathaniel and Thomas of Hartford cousins?

Howard and Jean Merrill

Subject: Re: Merrill family photo exchange
Date: Sun, September 7, 2008 4:47p

Question: Jessi  wrote:

Hello Do you know of any Merrill site that has photo sharing? I have a few photos of my great great grandparents from Utah who were Merrill's up to my family. I would like to see other Merrill photos if they are out there to add to my collection.

Answer: Jessi:

Sorry we don't know of a site to share Merrill photos. Some of our correspondents have offered photos, but with a database as big as ours, we have no room for photos.

We are Howard and Jean Merrill. For twenty five years we have been trying to database the Merrill/Merrell family nationwide from the original immigrants down to the present day for all immigrant lines. So far we have info on over 60,000 Merrill males plus their wives and daughters in our database, but we estimate there have been well over a100,000 so we have a long way to go, and need and appreciate all the help we can get, particularly with the later generations. We use this database strictly to try and help folks trace their Merrill roots. Be assured that no info on living individuals will become internet accessible from us.

While our database is not internet searchable, we will be glad to search it for anybody and share what we find at no cost. All we ask is that folks share their Merrill data with us so that we can expand our database and do a better job of helping solve Merrill lineage problems.

What is your Merrill line?

Howard and Jean Merrill

Subject: Re: Merrill family William H Merrill
Date: Sun, September 7, 2008 7:50p

Question: Jim Merrill wrote:

I am trying to find information about my ancestry on my grandfather's side. His name was James Edward Merrill and he said he was born in Lynn Mass on 9/9/1884, married to Nellie Erb in 1917 and spent most of his adult life in Battle Creek MI. His parents were William H. Merrill and Margar! et E. Johnson and I believe he also had a sister. I have found a William H. Merrill in the US Census in 1920 (Lynn MA), 1880 (Salem MA), and 1860 (Salem MA). However the 1880 Census shows the Spouse as Emma P. Merrill so I am not sure this is the correct William H. Merrill. Seems like it must be since the age of this William H. Merrill (born 1850) would have put him at 34 when my Grandfather was born and also has him in Lynn Mass. Any information you have is appreciated. Jim Merrill

Answer: Jim:

We are sorry, we do not know who the parents of your James Edward were. We can, however, pretty much eliminate the William Harvey (9) and Emma P Hill who were in Salem, Essex, MA in 1880 and 1900, and in Lynn in 1910 and 1920 [Emma had d. by 1920]. We thought Emma might have d. and William remarried Margaret in time for James to be b. But the 1900 census is the clincher that disproves that. Emma has had 5 children and all are living: Harvey S, 1881 Jan; Malcolm H, 1882 July; twins Gertrude and Mabel, 1885 Feb; Ethel P, 1887 Mar. No room for James. William H is listed as Harvey W in 1900.

We also have copied the MA vital records to 1900. No record of James E's b. in Lynn in 1884. No MA record of a m. of William with a Margaret E Johnson, nor a MA b. record of any children for them. We could not find James in Lynn or Essex Co, MA in 1900 or 1910 with William or Margaret as parents. We didn't find James [that we could identify] in MI until 1920 when he is already m.

Let us welcome you to the Merrill DNA Genealogy Group. Let us introduce our selves. We are Howard and Jean Merrill. We are also co-moderators for the Group. For twenty five years we have been trying to database the Merrill/Merrell family nationwide from the original immigrants down to the present day for all immigrant lines. So far we have info on over 60,000 Merrill males plus their wives and daughters in our database, but we estimate there have been well over a100,000 so we have a long way to go, and need and appreciate all the help we can get, particularly with the later generations. We use this database strictly to try and help folks trace their Merrill roots. Be assured that no info on living individuals will become internet accessible from us.

While our database is not internet searchable, we will be glad to search it for anybody and share what we find at no cost. All we ask is that folks share their Merrill data with us so that we can expand our database and do a better job of helping solve Merrill lineage problems.

While we don't know who James parents were, we would be very interested in his Merrill surname descendants, down to the present.

Sorry we can't be more help,

Howard and Jean Merrill

Subject: Re: Merrill family Charles Pinkney Merrill
Date: Sun, September 21, 2008 8:35p

Question: Sandra Nash  wrote:

Need Info on the Merrill listed below: Charles Pinkney Merrill b. 1816 Rowan, N.C. Died in Clarke County, Mississippi. My great Grandmother was Nancy Isabella Merrill m John Sanders in Mississippi. My Grandfather was Charles Pinkney Sanders b. Jan. 18, 1883 in Wayne County,MS Thank you, Sandra

Answer: Sandra:

We do not have any information about the m. of the daughter Isabella of Charles Pinkney (6) Merrill and 2nd wife Susan Cooley. Isabella was age 6 in the 1870 Shubuta, Clarke, MS census. It seems likely that she is your great Grandmother, Nancy Isabella Merrill who m. John Saunders and had Charles Pinkney Saunders in 1883 when she would have been ca 19. Do you have her dates and when she m. John Saunders? Do you have a d. date for Charles Pinkney Merrill?

The 1850, 60 and 70 census all show that Charles Pinkney Merrill was b. SC not NC. His father Abel was also indicated to be b. SC [1850 and 60 census]. Charles Pinkney (6)'s lineage is Abel (5), Charles (4), Benjamin (3), William (2,1). More details are available.

We are Howard and Jean Merrill. For twenty five years we have been trying to database the Merrill/Merrell family nationwide from the original immigrants down to the present day for all immigrant lines. So far we have info on over 60,000 Merrill males plus their wives and daughters in our database, but we estimate there have been well over a100,000 so we have a long way to go, and need and appreciate all the help we can get, particularly with the later generations. We use this database strictly to try and help folks trace their Merrill roots. Be assured that no info on living individuals will become internet accessible from us.

While our database is not internet searchable, we will be glad to search it for anybody and share what we find at no cost. All we ask is that folks share their Merrill data with us so that we can expand our database and do a better job of helping solve Merrill lineage problems.

Howard and Jean Merrill

Subject: Re: Merrill family Asher Merrill
Date: Fri, September 26, 2008 5:56p

Question: Joan Welsh wrote:

Hello, I am trying to find the death date and location of Asher Merrill (1734/1735-believed 1807). He was born in Hebron Conn. and from all sources died in Herkimer, NY in 1807. I have contacted Historical Society of Herkimer and they have sent me letters from other people who were under the same impression as I. He is not buried up there. His wife was Delight Sawyer (1739-?). My line with the Merrills: John Merrill(1694-1757)w:Elizabeth Stricklin (1694-1768) Asher Merrill (1734-1807) w. Delight Sawyer(1739-?) Sybil Merrill(1774-1863) h. John Douglas (1772-1842) I know where Sybil Merrill is buried, but can't find her father Asher. I have documentation for Sybil Merrill and John Douglas if you would like, and will gladly share. Any help is appreciated.

Thank-you Joan

Answer: Joan:

We do not know where and when Asher d. Like you we have penciled in "Herkimer NY after 1807". He is listed in the 1790 census in Canaan, Columbia, NY and in Hillsdale, Columbia, NY in 1800. His son Reuben is in Canaan in 1800, 1810 and 1830, but d. in Wayne Co MI, 1838 Sep 25. His youngest son, Asher was with his his parents in 1790 and 1800 and was in Ontario Co NY in 1810 and d. there in 1819 before Oct 18. His widow, Elizabeth (Van der Cook) was there in 1820 next door to her parents. We haven't tried to follow the whereabouts of Asher and Delight's daughters.

Asher's grandfather is believed to be the Thomas, son of Thomas, who was bapt in Hartford 1646 Nov 1. He m. 2nd, Hannah (Parmalee) Hill, 1693 May 25 in Saybrook, CT, and d. there 1711 Nov 7. There has been speculation that the elder Thomas MIGHT be the cousin of Nathaniel Merrill, immigrant of Newbury MA, but this has not been proven. It is hoped that DNA studies will soon answer this question, for we have recently found a male Merrill descendant of Thomas willing to be DNA tested. If his DNA pattern matches those of descendants of Nathaniel it will show they are closely related. The DNA associated with the male Y-chromosome is passed from father to son essentially unchanged over many, many [tens or hundreds] generations, so male cousins and their male descendants should share the same pattern.

We are Howard and Jean Merrill. For twenty five years we have been trying to database the Merrill/Merrell family nationwide from the original immigrants down to the present day for all immigrant lines. So far we have info on over 60,000 Merrill males plus their wives and daughters in our database, but we estimate there have been well over a100,000 so we have a long way to go, and need and appreciate all the help we can get, particularly with the later generations. We use this database strictly to try and help folks trace their Merrill roots. Be assured that no info on living individuals will become internet accessible from us.

While our database is not internet searchable, we will be glad to search it for anybody and share what we find at no cost. All we ask is that folks share their Merrill data with us so that we can expand our database and do a better job of helping solve Merrill lineage problems.

Howard and Jean Merrill