In a message dated 3/19/2008 8:13:04 AM Central Daylight Time, bjburdan@dejazzd.com writes: > Patty, > > At 08:15 AM 3/19/2008 -0400, you wrote: > >Looking for evidence of Settlement Papers for JOHN HENRY MERTZ (JOHANN > >HEINRICH MERTZ) who died in Whitehall Twp, Northampton County, PA in 1786 > > Have you checked the estate files at Berks County. I have an ancestor who > died in Montgomery County, his estate was filed in Montgomery County, but > for some reason part of it was also filed in Berks County. According to > the Berks County Resgister of Wills estate file index the following Mertz > estate files were filed in the 18th century in Berks. > > Nicholas Mertz, 1761, Longswamp > John Y. Mertz, 1764, Rockland > Jost Mertz, 1764, Rockland > John Mertz, 1773, Maxatawny > Maria Mertz, 1776, Longswamp > John Mertz, 1786, Longswamp > Peter Mertz, 1782 Long Swamp > John Mertz, 1786, Longswamp > Melchoir Mertz, 1792, Oley > > Betty > Betty: Good idea! That John Mertz, 1786 looks intriguing. I'm putting it on my list to check out when I go to Reading next. I wonder why there are two entries for John of Longswamp? Something to investigate. This just might be the answer to our query! Thank you so much, Betty. Kindest regards and best wishes, Patty ************** Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home. (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=aolhom00030000000001)

Patty, You might not have to wait for your trip to Reading. The Berks County Register of Wills does look ups and will send you a copy of the will at a fee per page rate. You can check out their web site at http://www.co.berks.pa.us/rwills/cwp/view.asp?a=2148&Q=482800&rwillsNav=| If you sent for a copy of the estate file you would know in advance if the estate file in question would pertain to your ancestor. Betty