Sometime between 700 - 800 AD the Merkel families came from South Tirol (today, northern Italy) and settled in a sparsely populated area called Murgtal in the North Black Forest. They were wood cutters in what today would be the cities of Forbach, Gausbach, and Langenbrand. Around 1200 AD, my paternal Merkel branch left this area and moved northwest eventually settling in the high lands of the Rhein River as landlords of Iffezheim. (Map showing closeness of Iffezheim and Langenbrand).  

The earliest records that I have found show that my GGGGG grandfather was Joseph Merkel . He was married to Katharina Krietenweis and they had 6 children. His direct descendants continued with his son Joes Michael followed by Joes George who lead to Caspar.  Caspar was a key figure in the evolution of the Merkel line. He was married 4 times. His first three wives died so for his fourth wife, he married someone from the family. Her name was Barbara Pfetzer (his second cousin, 1 generation removed) and together they had 11 children.One of those 11 children was Jacob Merkel, my Great Grandfather. In 1867, apparently via the Atlantic harbor Le Harve, Jacob emigrated to America and eventually Rochester, NY.

Jacob had 11 children in Rochester including Gustave, my grandfather. Two of his other children, Edwin and Anna Mary also married.