Yes yes yes Brian ! At last another Merrikin. I am descended from Elizabeth Merrikin 1794-1865 born in Hull, d of William Merrikin (mariner) chr Grainthorpe Feb 1761, son of Wiliam Merrikin and Sarah Bernie. William jnr founded a Hull dynasty and I have quite a lot on them- they were well to do tradesmen. I've got nothing further back than Wm snr, but I'm fascinated by the fact there's a spot on the Lincs coast not far from Grainthopre called Merrikin's Landing. I can let you have the Hull branch with pleasure.