My 7th great-grandfather was Lorentz Merkel (Merkel-168). I'm actually connected to him through his grandson James (Merkel-59) and through his grandson Frederick (Merkel-56).
Through Frederick, I descend through his daughter, Mary (Miracle-83) and his son, Andrew (Miracle-62).
Through Andrew (Miracle-62, I descend through his daughter, Julia (Miracle-41) and daughter, Sarah (Miracle-49).
I know, I know, I don't have a family tree, I have a twisted ficus. If you think this is bad, you should see my Wilder line where I connect to my fifth great grandfather, Joseph Wilder, five different ways. (Mother's parents were third cousins.)