She is named as the adopted daughter of John P Mertz in the 1880 Census.

Will of Lydia Krause Mertz written 19 Nov 1925 proved 6 Jan 1926 leaves cash and household items to the lady she's been living with -- Mrs. Annie Riegle. She leaves personal effects/keepsakes to a whole slew of people but says if the Mertzes and Moyers want keepsakes they shall have them, and finally mentions sister Amelia Hummel and half-brother Henry Riegle and half-sister Emma Spangle.