MFA Obituaries

Caroline Merrylees (1940 - 2009) Tree #7 Australia
Caroline was the wife of Australia Chieftain Ian Merrylees, and together they produced and circulated a regular newsletter to MFA members. Caroline was an avid researcher for the MFA and undertook the masssive task of updating and combining Merrilees family trees prior to the 3rd International Gathering in Dunedin in 2008. Since then, despite ongoing health issues, she completed a further round of DNA testing to consolidate the MFA family tree database.
The loss of Caroline will be felt not only by the MFA but also among her home community where she was widely known. In the 2006 Queen's Birthday honours she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her services to the communities of Hay and Carrathool as an archivist, author and fund raiser.
She was also an accomplished artist and her sketch of the Merrylees Cottages was printed on a postcard to raise funds for the MFA. Her legacy to the MFA is a global Merrilees Family Tree and a treasure-trove of Merrilees family history, passionately researched and compiled over several decades.
Caroline died on 7th August 2009 after a prolonged illness.
The Hay Shire Council has honoured Caroline by naming a room after her in the Hay Library. The Caroline Merrylees Local History Room was officially opened by the Hay mayor and Caroline’s husband Ian in May 2010 before an enthusiastic crowd of family and friends.
The plaque outside the room (pictured on the Index Page) commemorates the huge contribution that Caroline made over many years to the Hay Historical Society and the Hay community in general.


Ron Merrylees (1922 - 2009) Tree #29 England
Ron became a family history enthusiast after retiring from a career as an electrical engineer, which saw him become Senior Electrical Engineer at Hull Docks. He served in the British Army's Royal Engineers from 1943 - 1947 rising to the rank of captain. He was married to Olive for 51 years before she predeceased him in 1996.
Ron enjoyed many visits to the London and Edinburgh Records Offices, sharing his ‘finds’ with other MFA researchers. He discovered the Testament Dative of James and Elspeth Mirrieleyes (the most recent common ancestor of all Merrilees clan members who died in 1663) and had it translated into modern English. He also researched and wrote the article on the origins of our Merrilees surname, which is published on this website.
Ron died in Sheringham on 19th September 2009. He is survived by his son, three grandchildren and a great grandson.