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« on: Tuesday 30 November 10 15:22 GMT (UK) »
Hi - I think I am a direct descendant of William Merritt Gillam - He was born in 1805 and died in Guayaquil Ecuador in 1859, after spending some time in ?India and California(1854) . His grandson, Norman was my grandfather, and had at least 2 brothers (Hope died WW1) and Basil who emigrated to Australia. Norman Merritt Gillam fought in WWI and emigrated soon after, first to South Africa. There he married a relative of the Bullers (need to check my records). He eventually went to Blantyre Nyasaland (now Malawi) where he set up the first Barclays Bank there (early 1920's). from there he went to Beira Mozambique and eventually Umtali Rhodesia (now Mutare zimbabwe) all with Barclays Bank. He eventually returned to the UK in the late 70's where he died in Norfolk. He had 2 children Boyd Merritt b 1924 d 1989, and Fiona Merritt. Boyd Had 5 children of which I am one and I have 2 sons - We all still keep the Merritt in our names. Should you wish further more detailed info I can assist. I would also appreciate any info of williams ancestors as my info ends with him. I look forward to hearing from you