Hi List; Gosh, you guys are doing better than I am. My grandfather was James William Merritt, b. August 17, 1876, Olender or Oleander, Alabama, d. August 23, 1943. He was married to Ruby Belle Burroughs Merritt, b. June 13, 1889, Plattsburg, Mississippi, d. January 12, 1927. After much runaround and many letters I finally got my grandfather's death certificate last fall and found his parents to be simply listed as John Merritt and Emely Black Merritt. How many John Merritts do you think there were in Alabama during this period.......a BUNCH!!! From there I am clueless. I am trying to trace back and have yet to get any info on either John or Emely. We also visited my Dad's Uncle Eke when I was a kid and since he was never at the Burroughs (my paternal grandmother's family) reunions I can only assume he was my grandfather James Merritt's brother. Of course, I am sure that Eke was a nickname and can find no evidence of any Merritt that lived in the area at the time that might match an Eke. No family alive to give me a clue! If any of this rings a bell with anyone or you need more info.....like the children of James and Ruby Belle I will be happy to furnish any info I can. There comes a point where the search just gets frustrating and I am to that point! :-) Warm regards from East Texas; Nancy Merritt