This is the Original "MERZ" speaking, and I would like to say that I was quite intrigued to see the interest my name sparked by so many readers of your list. Actually, I should say I am flattered. But now to my name itself, "Merz" is spelled without "T", although when I say my name out loud it sounds as if there was a "T" in it, because that's just the way we original Germans pronounce the letter "Z" (Tzet) like Zeppelin. Now have my mail I get from English speaking friends comes with the "T", and I guess that's what happened with most Merz's that after a while you just stop fighting, and adopt what is inevitable, and so, in many cases they original "Merz" became a "Mertz". That is not to say that the name MERTZ did not exist on its own, when I was young over at the old country, I dated a girl by the name of "Mertz", could you imagine what kind of research problems I would have today if I had married her? Have a good day, everyone, your Hessian John "Merz". <http://www.cgo.wave.ca/~hessian>