Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Birth, Parent-Proof, Designation notes for William Martz (U5b)
There was a William Martz listed in the Census in Dauphin County, PA in 1850-1880, always of an age implying he was born about 1812. I suspect he was also the William Martz reported there in 1840. In 1840, with a wife age 20-29 and three children under the age of five, I suspect his reported age of 40-49 should have been 20-29.
Dauphin County is one of the few places in America where there was mixing of the lines — i.e. descendants of different original ancestors finding their way to the same place. In particular, Daniel Martz (H1d) was there by 1820. Jacob Martz (U1) was also there by 1820 and while I do not know who he was for sure, I don’t think he was related to Daniel. Johannes Mertz, who I have designated H6b, though I’m not 100% sure that is right, was there briefly in the 1815 period and then moved elsewhere.
So it is curious that we also find Solomon Mertz (born 1808) and William Mertz) both there in 1840 and who continued living there. Who were they? Were they related to each other? Were they related to any of these other Dauphin County persons? I have no idea.
My guess would be they were brothers but I don’t know that to be true. With all the analysis I’ve done on everyone named Mærtz, I would have taken notice if I found someone with sons named Solomon and William born in about the 1810 period who then I was unable to account for. That’s the way the Mærtz Hierarchical Project works — it is an attempt to find and identify everyone of those names. But I have no suspects.
So for now both Solomon and William go into the U5 bucket of people meaning they are random people I am still looking to find their father. William is designated U5b.
The aforementioned Daniel had a son William born 1806 but he was a different man than this William. Daniel’s son William is designated (H1d1).
I may know one more important thing about this William, U5b. The obituary of his son Richard F says Richard was born in Sunbury, PA and death certificates of several of William’s children say their mother was Harriet (or Henrietta) Hoover. There were no doubt people named Hoover all over Pennsylvania in the mid-1800’s but importantly it is a name I know from the Sunbury area.
Was William from the Sunbury area? If so, shouldn’t I know him? I would like to think this mystery will solve itself someday.
Dauphin County is one of the few places in America where there was mixing of the lines — i.e. descendants of different original ancestors finding their way to the same place. In particular, Daniel Martz (H1d) was there by 1820. Jacob Martz (U1) was also there by 1820 and while I do not know who he was for sure, I don’t think he was related to Daniel. Johannes Mertz, who I have designated H6b, though I’m not 100% sure that is right, was there briefly in the 1815 period and then moved elsewhere.
So it is curious that we also find Solomon Mertz (born 1808) and William Mertz) both there in 1840 and who continued living there. Who were they? Were they related to each other? Were they related to any of these other Dauphin County persons? I have no idea.
My guess would be they were brothers but I don’t know that to be true. With all the analysis I’ve done on everyone named Mærtz, I would have taken notice if I found someone with sons named Solomon and William born in about the 1810 period who then I was unable to account for. That’s the way the Mærtz Hierarchical Project works — it is an attempt to find and identify everyone of those names. But I have no suspects.
So for now both Solomon and William go into the U5 bucket of people meaning they are random people I am still looking to find their father. William is designated U5b.
The aforementioned Daniel had a son William born 1806 but he was a different man than this William. Daniel’s son William is designated (H1d1).
I may know one more important thing about this William, U5b. The obituary of his son Richard F says Richard was born in Sunbury, PA and death certificates of several of William’s children say their mother was Harriet (or Henrietta) Hoover. There were no doubt people named Hoover all over Pennsylvania in the mid-1800’s but importantly it is a name I know from the Sunbury area.
Was William from the Sunbury area? If so, shouldn’t I know him? I would like to think this mystery will solve itself someday.
Known Sons notes for William Martz (U5b)
From Census, William had three sons who were born before 1850: Charles born about 1839, Jacob about 1841 and Richard born about 1844. Jacob may have died young as he was not living with his parents in 1870.
I have learned more about Charles designated U5b1 and Richard designated U5b2.
I have learned more about Charles designated U5b1 and Richard designated U5b2.
Parent-Proof notes for Harriet (Henrietta) (Spouse 1)
Her maiden name comes from the death certificate of several of her daughters.