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Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have William in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 18 generations of this lineage.

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William Howard Merritt 1923–1977

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.

A Reliability

Reliability Score: A

Strong — 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 18 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: A — verified across 2 independent trees, with linked records

Born 9 OCT 1923 · Livingston, Park Co., Montana, USA

Died 20 SEP 1977 · Dillon, Beaverhead County, Montana, United States of America

Father Harry Glenn Merritt

Mother Caroline E Carrie Rentschler

Siblings Betty Lou Merritt, Doris Merritt, Fern Gladys Merritt, Fern Irene Merritt, Lula Berniece Merritt, Robert Lee Bobby Merritt

Records

1940 United States Federal Census U.S., Find a Grave® Index, …

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Researchers connected through William Merritt 1923–1977

Immediate Family

Parents

Harry Glenn Merritt

Caroline E Carrie Rentschler

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

No children recorded

Biography

The story of William Howard Merritt began in 1923 in Livingston, Park Co., Montana, USA. In 1935, William Howard Merritt resided in Livingston, Park, Montana. In 1940, William Howard Merritt resided in Livingston, Park, Montana, USA. William Howard Merritt passed away in 1977 in Dillon, Beaverhead County, Montana, United States of America.

Sources

1

Census 1940 United States Federal Census
2

Burial Records U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current

Life Timeline

1923

Birth of William Howard Merritt in Livingston, Park Co., Montana, USA

Birth

1935

William Howard Merritt resided here in Livingston, Park, Montana

Residence

1940

William Howard Merritt resided here in Livingston, Park, Montana, USA

Residence

1977

Death of William Howard Merritt in Dillon, Beaverhead Co., Montana, USA

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from William Merritt

This ancestor line traces from Drayton Beauchamp, Buckinghamshire, England (1362) to Livingston, Park Co., Montana, USA (1923) across 18 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: William Merritt (1923–1977) was born in Livingston, Park Co., Montana, USA and died in Dillon, Beaverhead County, Montana, United States of America. 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 (A) 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 18 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.