Who was William Merritt?

William Merritt (1838–1906) was born in Wayne City, Wayne, Illinois, United States and died in Wayne City, Wayne, Illinois, United States. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching William?

Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have William in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 15 generations of this lineage.

What records do they have for William?

Records vary by researcher and can include census, vital, parish, cemetery, and family sources.

How do I compare family trees?

Use Compare Tree on an available researcher profile to compare overlapping people and records.

William H Merritt 1838–1906

Public Tree Person

What is a Public Tree Person?

A Public Tree Person is an ancestor documented independently by multiple YourRoots tree owners. When several researchers' family histories converge on the same person, we publish a shared page that combines what they've documented.

Why this is a Public Tree Person

Full name consistent across 2 independent trees

Birth year and location consistent across 2 trees

Death year and location consistent across 2 trees

Compare a Public Tree Person with your own tree using Compare Tree.

B Reliability

Reliability Score: B

Medium — based on the source tree

Grade scale

A 3 criteria (Strong)
B 2 criteria (Medium)
C 1 criteria (Basic)

Verification checklist

Record available
Descendant's record available
Star tree owner

2 researchers on YourRoots have William Merritt in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 15 generations. If this ancestor is in your tree too, you can compare what you've found and fill in the gaps together.

Last updated: August 25, 2026 · Reliability: B — verified across 2 independent trees

Born 4 Feb 1838 · Wayne City, Wayne, Illinois, United States

Died 25 Aug 1906 · Wayne City, Wayne, Illinois, United States

Father Stephen Merritt

Mother Elizabeth Meritt Harris

Siblings Elzira C Merritt, Ephraim Merritt, Green Maynard, Isaac Merritt, John Merritt, Malinda Merritt, Mary Ann Merritt, Matilda Merritt, Robert S Merritt, Sanford F Minyard, Stephen E Merritt

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Researchers connected through William Merritt 1838–1906

Immediate Family

Parents

Stephen Merritt

Elizabeth Meritt Harris

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

No children recorded

Biography

The story of William H Merritt began in 1838 in Wayne City, Wayne, Illinois, United States. William H Merritt passed away in 1906 in Wayne City, Wayne, Illinois, United States.

Sources

Life Timeline

1838

Birth of William H Merritt in Wayne City, Wayne, Illinois, United States

Birth

1906

Death of William H Merritt in Wayne City, Wayne, Illinois, United States

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from William Merritt

This ancestor line traces from Drayton Beauchamp, Buckinghamshire, England (1362) to Wayne City, Wayne, Illinois, United States (1838) across 15 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: William Merritt (1838–1906) was born in Wayne City, Wayne, Illinois, United States and died in Wayne City, Wayne, Illinois, United States. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees, each with their own records. This page combines what they've independently documented and assigns a Reliability Score (B) based on cross-tree validation.
: Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have William in their trees. They're working independently, so connecting with them is a good way to cross-check your records and find things you might have missed. You can also explore the ancestor migration map that traces 15 generations of this lineage geographically.
: It varies by researcher — some have census records, others have marriage certificates, parish registers, or family Bible entries. Scroll up to see exactly what each person has cited.
: Use the "Compare Tree" button on any researcher's profile above. You can compare your tree side by side with theirs, see where your records overlap or differ, and collaborate to fill gaps.