This site contains what we know of regarding the genealogical history of Dora Berniece Mericle (Palki), along with her mother Sarah Gladys Handlen (Mericle), and her father Frank Mericle.   It's rich with stories including several who died in the Revolutionary War; one, in particular,  was Samuel Clason. He served in 1776 as Capt. Jonathan Whitney's Company, Col. John Meade's 9th  Regiment, Gen. Wooster's Brigade of the Connecticut Militia. He was discharged on 28 Jan 1777.  Another historical figure appears because she was tried and acquitted during the 1692 witch trials in  Connecticut - Elizabeth Clason. You'll also find heroes who fought for the Union in the Civil  War - Asa N. Clawson and William Handlin. You'll learn about our great grandfather Jackson J Mericle, he was the first white child born in Fort Dodge, IA (1851). The earliest ancestor in our records who lived in British Colonial America (United States) was Reverend Bishop. He was in Taunton, Ma in 1640 according to Savage's  Genealogical Dictionary of New England, and was known as the Taunton Schoolmaster. The Mayflower was in 1620.

It is with deep gratitude that we acknowledge the vast contribution of Florence Mae (DeRosier) Clarey and Coy Vernon Lansbery.  They worked hard to gather history and we're so glad that they've passed it along.

Further, this history contains all that we know of our dad's history. Born Arvid Henry Palkki,  he was a first-generation American. His parents came to the USA in the late 1800s to avoid the poverty of Finland and Russian oppression.  Dad lost a 'k' while they lived in California, working in the shipyards,  due to a government paperwork error.

From that point on there were 2k family members and 1k family members. The Palkki's were industrious - farming, mining, timber industry, and more. Fishing was our dad's passion along with his love for his family.

The records here are not complete and any help you can give in bringing our family tree up-to-date will be appreciated. Every member can update and change their own family information. Any family member in the lines of Mericle, Handlen, Palki/Palkki, Niskanen, Lansbery, or Sankey that wishes to add details is encouraged to do so.  When you discover inaccurate and/or missing information that you cannot update yourself, please contact me with the corrections and/or additions. There are many family members that I don't have email addresses for so please let your family members know about http://mericlehandlen.tribalpages.com.

Our history is important and it's vital that we pass it on.