We know Benjamin as Benjamin’s son from his presence in his father’s 1850 Census household as well from his death certificate that says his parents were Benjamin Mertz and Susan Christenan. Benjamin is designated H3b2.

I found a Benjamin Mertz of the right age in the 1870 Census to be him, but since he lived in Montgomery County, I had to be sure. Some evidence was that his mother was present too and his brother Daniel — or in any event people of those names and the correct ages.

But the proof evolved when Benjamin was still in Montgomery County in 1880 with the same occupation (carpenter) from 1870 and now a wife named Mary A.

And then I found a death certificate for him and a find-a-grave memorial with dates matching his death certificate. Finally, in the same cemetery where Benjamin was buried, his wife Mary Anne Angstadt was there too. She is linked to her parents, buried in Berks County. It all ties together.

His death certificate gives exact birth and death dates for him, his find-a-grave memorial only says 1838-1927.

The only child they ever seem to have in Census is a daughter Mary A born about 1883. The obituary of Benjamin’s wife, Mary Anne, refers to their daughter as adopted.