Introduction

Greetings to all readers of “Daltons in History” !

April has flown by and here we are at the beginning of May already. We have enjoyed some fine spring weather and it’s good to see all the blossom on the trees and flowers in bloom after what has been a long and cold winter here in England. Kate and I have enjoyed two short trips to Europe, one over Easter, staying up in the hills behind Bordighera on the Italian Riviera; and the other to The Hague in The Netherlands where our son now lives and works. Much of interest on both visits but, despite looking out for “Anything Dalton”, we did not spot any Dalton item!

As usual, you will find below my updates to keep you fully informed about all our various DGS events, projects and activities.

Future DGS events

As everyone knows, 2010 marks the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the Dalton Genealogical Society and we are holding a special Gathering and Annual General Meeting in Surrey, England over the weekend of Fri/Sat/Sun 30th/31st July/1st August 2010. Arrangements have been made for the main events on the Saturday to take place at the Surrey National Golf Club, Chaldon, Surrey. These include our conference during the day and a splendid celebratory dinner in the evening. The conference programme will include guest speakers and our AGM, and there will also be entertainment in the evening. The theme of the weekend will be the origins and the history of English Dalton families and particularly those originating from Surrey. Coupled with this we will also review the work of the Society over the past forty years and look ahead to the future. There will be a programme of activities and visits for the Friday and the Sunday. Accommodation has been arranged locally at the Reigate Manor Hotel (www.reigatemanor.co.uk). The Surrey National Golf Club is beautifully situated and has a modern clubhouse with excellent conference and dining facilities. Further information may be found at www.surreynational.co.uk.

More details and booking information for this 40th Anniversary celebration can be found in the “Forthcoming Gatherings” section of this website. For your convenience, they are also reproduced below. They were included as a separate flyer with Volume 51 of the DGS Journal for December 2009 which was mailed to all DGS members in early January. As I write the Gathering is in just three months time and this really is the last opportunity to book. If you have not already done so, please make sure that you reserve the dates in your diary now.

We have had a slow but steady stream of bookings but there is still space to accommodate more delegates. I am therefore extending the deadline for registration for the final time, to the end of May, but you must please register by then at the latest.

As has been said before, it would be very helpful to have the earliest possible indication of numbers attending and, if you have not already sent one, I would appreciate a short email (to michaelndalton@aol.com) as soon as possible, and ahead of your registration form and deposit, if you are planning to come. Thank you to those who have already been in touch. This information is enabling us to ensure that we reserve enough accommodation and it will help with the planning and organisation of the various events and activities over the weekend. We look forward to many members and their families joining us for this very special gathering, and we anticipate that overseas members will use it as an opportunity to visit other parts of the UK as well.

For 2011 we have arranged for the DGS Annual Gathering to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA over the weekend of Fri/Sat/Sun 23rd/24th/25th September 2011.

This will be another very special event and the gathering organiser is our North American Secretary, Karen Dalton Preston. Karen and her team are busy putting the more detailed plans in place. Initial details are on the “Forthcoming Gatherings” section of this website and please keep a watch for further announcements during the coming months.

The DGS Annual General Meeting for 2011 will be held in the UK earlier in the year and an announcement about that will be made later.

For 2012 and beyond we have a number of suggestions already. If you have any particular thoughts about where you might like to meet, or a particular Dalton theme you think we should incorporate, we would really like to hear from you with your ideas.

The Dalton International DNA Project (DIDP)

Issue 3 of the Dalton International DNA Project Progress Report was published in October 2009. This includes all the new participants who have joined the project up to January 2009. There were 99 participants included in Issue 2 of the report published in January 2008 and Issue 3 has 126 sets of markers recorded and analysed. This represents an impressive expansion of the project. Additionally, many participants have extended their number of markers and this adds considerably to the value of the database as a whole to our Dalton family history researches.

The report is a landmark document and extends to 54 pages. The number of separately identifiable genetic families has increased from 10 to 13. The number of singletons has increased by just three, from 18 to 21. This reflects the high success rate that we are achieving, with nearly all new project participants finding matches with existing project members.

All members of the project have been circulated by email and invited to request their copy of the full report. If, as a project participant, you still wish to receive the report but have not advised me, please contact me by email immediately. We do ask that those who receive the report are current members of the DGS. The subscription contributes towards the cost of retaining our consultant and, of course, brings many other benefits as well.

On the “Dalton DNA Project” pages of this website you will find extracts from Issue 3 of the report giving a summary of the main conclusions; the foreword to the report, which includes a history of the project; and a description of the DNA process and how it assists the family historian.

Further participants continue to join the project and there are now approaching 140 sets of markers in our database. DIDP is one of the largest and most respected projects of its type internationally, but we still need to expand it further, particularly with individuals who have documented ancestral lines that take them back to known English or Irish Dalton origins. The strength of the database as a family history research tool lies in its size, and its continued growth is of paramount importance to us all. So, if you are a Dalton male please do think about joining this well established and exciting project.

We are indebted to our DNA consultant, Chris Pomery, for all his assistance with the preparation of the progress report and the advice and guidance that we are able to give to individual project participants. We are now working with him to determine the priorities for further reporting during 2010. The emphasis will be on providing updated reports on individual genetic families.

Some of you may not be aware of the special webpages set up to enable genetic family groups to share data with one another. Initially these are for groups A, B and D. We have added a link to these from the “Dalton DNA Project” homepage here on the main DGS website.

The DGS Journal

The Editor of the DGS Journal, John Dalton, is now assembling material for Volume 52, due to be published in June 2010. As always, he will welcome articles and other items for this issue. Copy was due by the end of April and if you have further material please send it off to John immediately. John is always happy to advise and assist contributors and, if you have any questions or need help, please contact him by email at johndalton78@hotmail.com.

Back issues of the DGS Journal continue to be available. On this website you can access the DGS Journal Index from the homepage. Here you will find a full synopsis of the contents of the Journal of the Dalton Genealogical Society commencing with Volume 1 published back in 1970 through to Volume 41 published in December 2004. Lists of contents are available for Volumes 42 to 51 and the full synopses will be available in due course. Copies of all back numbers are available for purchase and these can be obtained from DGS member, Mrs Pat Robinson (address: Mallards, 3 High Street, The Green, Barrington, Cambridge CB2 5QX, UK email: gandprobinson@waitrose.com.) Details of prices, including postage and packing, will be found with the index.

Conclusion

Enjoy this month’s issue of “Daltons in History”, your regular monthly update on everything that is happening in the world of Dalton family history. We will be back again at the beginning of June.

Thank you for your attention.

Yours very sincerely

Michael Neale Dalton
Chairman and Honorary Life President of the Dalton Genealogical Society

For 2010, the DGS Annual Gathering is a special event to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the Society. It will take place in the Chairman’s home county of Surrey, from Friday 30th July to Monday 2nd August 2010.

The Dalton Genealogical Society extends an invitation to all DGS members and their families to attend the 2010 Gathering of the Society in Reigate, Surrey, England from Friday 30th July to Monday 2nd August. All will be welcome, and the theme of the weekend will be the origins and the history of English Dalton families and particularly those originating from Surrey. Coupled with this we will review the work of the Society over the past forty years and look ahead to the future.

The weekend will include the opportunity to visit a number of interesting places local to Reigate, some with Dalton connections, together with talks about Dalton family history and, of course, the opportunity to meet and chat with fellow members. The special celebratory DGS 40th Anniversary Dinner will take place on the Saturday evening.

Full details of the programme for the weekend, costs and booking arrangements will be found below. If you require any further information or have any queries, please contact Michael Neale Dalton (DGS Chairman and 2010 Gathering Coordinator - email: michaelndalton@aol.com), who will be pleased to assist.

A note about travel arrangements

If you are travelling to England from overseas and are able to fly in to London Gatwick, this is the most convenient airport for Reigate, being about twenty minutes drive away. Alternatively from London Heathrow it is about an hour’s drive.

Reigate is an old market town sitting at the foot of the North Downs. It is about 20 miles south of the centre of London, which can be reached by rail from nearby Redhill station in about half an hour.

It is anticipated that delegates from overseas will want to combine their stay in Surrey with visits to other parts of the UK. There are many options – you can hire a car and explore at your leisure; you can travel by rail between the major cities; or you can take one of the many organised coach tours around the country. It all depends on what you want to see and perhaps whether or not you are a first time visitor to England.

If you need any advice, guidance or assistance with your travel plans, please contact Michael and he will do his best to help you.

A note about the venues

The venue for the Gathering events on Saturday 31st July is the Surrey National Golf Club at Chaldon, Surrey. The club is beautifully situated on the North Downs and the modern clubhouse has excellent conference and dining facilities. Further details can be found at www.surreynational.co.uk.

The recommended hotel for your accommodation is the Reigate Manor Hotel, situated between Reigate town centre and Junction 8 of the M25 motorway and very close to the Chairman’s home. Further details will be found at www.reigatemanor.co.uk.

The Surrey National Golf Club is about 15 minutes drive away from Reigate.

Annual Gathering for 2010
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary
of the founding of the Society
Friday 30th July to Monday 2nd August 2010
Reigate, Surrey, England

PROGRAMME FOR THE WEEKEND

Friday 30th July 2010

Saturday 31st July 2010

Sunday 1st August 2010

Monday 2nd August 2010

REGISTRATION FORM

The form is given below and may be downloaded as an Adobe Acrobat (registrationform.pdf) or Word (registrationform.doc) document for printing, completion and return as per the accompanying notes.

REGISTRATION FORM NOTES

The Registration Form follows. Please note the points below:

Prices for accommodation are as follows:

Reigate Manor Hotel - £85 per night for bed & breakfast for 2 people in a double/twin room, £73 per night for bed & breakfast for 1 person in a single room. (www.reigatemanor.co.uk)

If you prefer to take B&B accommodation there are a number of options locally. Please indicate this on the registration form and we will contact you with details.

Indicative prices for events and visits are as follows:

As soon as final details and costings are known, they will be advised to all those who have made reservations, and they will be published on the DGS website.

Notes for overseas members

Members in the United States and Canada may remit to the Society’s North American Secretary in US dollars. Please convert at the rate of $1.70 to the pound sterling and send your remittance made payable to “Dalton Genealogical Society” together with a copy of the registration form to:

Karen Dalton Preston, DGS North American Secretary
2777 Turtle Head Peak Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135, USA

Members in Australia and New Zealand should contact the Australian Secretary, Maureen Collins by email (mmcollins@ozemail.com.au) for guidance.

Please remember that even if your remittance is being sent to either Karen Preston or Maureen Collins, you must also send your registration form with all the details to Michael N Dalton at the UK address on the form.

REGISTRATION FORM

for THE DALTON GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 40th ANNIVERSARY
GATHERING, REIGATE, SURREY, ENGLAND 2010

Name ……………………………………………………………………………..

Address ……………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………..

Tel No ………………………… Email ………………………………………..

I/we wish to attend the 40th Anniversary Gathering from Friday 30th July to Monday 2nd August 2010.

Please give the names of additional members of your party and indicate clearly the hotel rooms that you wish to book (double, twin or single), together with the nights that you wish to stay (Reigate Manor Hotel is £85.00 per room per night for a double or twin and £73.00 per night for a single room, inclusive of breakfast)

……………………………………………………………………………….………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

I/we wish to extend my/our visit and to book ….. no. of extra nights before
and ….. no. of extra nights after for ….. person(s)

Please indicate any special room requirements and any special needs:-

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

A deposit of £75.00 per room (regardless of type of room and length of stay) is payable to the Dalton Genealogical Society and should be forwarded as soon as possible to:

Michael N Dalton, DGS 2010 Gathering Co-ordinator
2 Harewood Close, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0HE United Kingdom

******* please now turn over and fill in form overleaf and sign declaration *******

Additional elements of the weekend programme

Please fill in to indicate your expected participation in the following events and the numbers in your party:-

Declaration

I have read the enclosed details and ticked the boxes as requested, and enclose my cheque for the total indicated above and made payable to ‘Dalton Genealogical Society’. Alternatively I have made arrangements for the payment to be sent to one of the DGS Overseas Secretaries.

I understand the terms outlined above relating to the return of deposit monies paid to the Society.

In the event of any changes to my booking or cancellation, I undertake to notify the DGS 2010 Gathering Co-ordinator, Michael N Dalton, at the earliest opportunity.

Signed : ……………………………………………………………………. Date……………………….

William (Bill) Dalton - 10th Battalion - The XX the Lancashire Fusiliers - Burma Veteran

Submitted by Rodney G. Dalton

WILLIAM DALTON'S FUNERAL WEDNESDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER, 2009

Today we are celebrating the life of a modest war hero William Dalton, whose exploits in the jungles of Burma during World War II can be read on the Internet (see link below).

Bill served with the Lancashire Fusiliers with the 14th Indian Division. On his coffin are his military jungle hat and his medals and we have a representative of his former regiment here today.

For many years Bill, who passed away at his home in The Orchards here in Croston aged 93, never said a word about his military service and it was only in recent years after much badgering from his son John that he began to reveal something of his experiences in what was some of the toughest fighting in the most inhospitable theatres of the whole war. Not only had the Lancashire soldiers to contend with fighting the Japanese who were experts at jungle warfare, but they had to contend with disease, the climate and the insects.

For those of us who have lived in peaceful times, it is very difficult to imagine what it was like to have been under fire. In one account about Bill, which you will find on the Lancashire Fusiliers official website, his sampan river boat came under fire from the enemy and bullets came literally crackling past his head, so he threw himself into the water. He stood up and the river was up to his shoulders. It was at this point that a major standing just feet away from him was stuck in the head with a bullet and he fell back into the water. Bill regretted he could do nothing for him.

I won't go into great detail about his service, for the account on the website is very long. But is worth mentioning that on one occasion his quick thinking saved the lives of several of his comrades. Four men were sent in a boat to get help, but they were ambushed by the Japanese and never seen again. The commanding officer was of a mind to send another boat in the same direction, but Bill suggested that it might be safer to cross to the other bank, where he hoped the Japanese were not present. His suggestion was carried out and his sergeant later told him that his plan had saved their lives.

Later on Bill was wounded in the leg with machine gun fire and if it had not been the prompt action of a colleague to staunch the bleeding he would have soon died. Bill went on to make a full recovery from his wound and was then assigned to driving officers in military vehicles. It was while on this assignment that he met two civilians working at HQ, who were the parents of a certain Harry Webb, who later became better known as Cliff Richard. Back in 2005 Bill went on a nostalgic tour of the battlefields of Burma and met up with old army colleagues.

But his national service is only part of Bill's fascinating story because he was a man of many talents. Bill was born and brought up in Croston and attended the Methodist school in the village. He left school aged 14 and started an apprenticeship as an electrician, but then swapped to an apprenticeship as a painter and decorator, which became his job for life. However, he had another string to his bow, growing fruit and vegetables and keeping egg-laying hens and had a stall selling his produce on Chorley market. He married his wife Nellie at St Michael's Church in Much Hoole and they lived most of their 57 years married life in Croston at addresses in Ridley Lane and Westhead Road, before moving to The Orchards. The couple enjoyed going on cruises and holidays to Majorca. Nellie died in 2004.

As a young man Bill enjoyed riding motorcycles and owned several machines over the years. He was an accomplished musician playing the piano accordion, the organ and violin and played in dance bands. In his younger days he busked with his violin on the prom at Blackpool.

Bill leaves son John, daughter Audrey, sister Annie, 96, who lives in Leyland and is here with us today, and grandchildren Ian, Jayne, Lee and Katie. I will leave the last words concerning Bill with grandson Ian. "He was brought up in a strict and hardworking environment and continued the same work ethic throughout his life to provide a good standard of living for his wife and family. Despite this he always had a good sense of humour and a beaming smile and he loved a joke or a prank and even the odd saucy story. It is true to say that he gave us honest and traditional values to live by and was loving, caring and supportive in everything he did. Indeed it has been a privilege to have him as a grandparent. Although it is always sad to say goodbye we do this knowing he had a very full and active life and our memories will be with us forever."

Rev Stephen Foster, Trinity Methodist Church, Croston.

Please go here for the entire life story of Bill Dalton:

http://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/feature/Bill_Dalton/dalton.htm

The following was submitted by former DGS member Bill Dalton Philipps, grand-nephew of Frank Dalton

Frank Dalton, U.S. Marshall 1859 - 1887

Following is an obituary for Frank Dalton, a U.S. Deputy Marshall, and brother to the 4 "Dalton Gang" outlaws. This obituary is notable because it lists all of the family members, including their spouses. It also notes the family relationships.

Franklin (Frank) Dalton, U.S. Deputy Marshall of Chelsea, Cherokee Nation, was killed Sunday, November 27, 1887 near Fort Smith, Arkansas while making an arrest. He was a U.S. Deputy Marshall under Judge Isaac C. Parker, Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Mr. Dalton was one of 15 children born to James Lewis and Adeline Dalton. Born May 8, 1859 in Missouri. He was 28 years, 5 months and 19 days old.

Funeral and burial were Tuesday, November 29, 1887 at the Elmwood Cemetery, Coffeyville, Kansas.

He is survived by his Mother and Father James and Adeline Dalton. Brothers: Ben, Cole, Littleton, Grant, Bill and his wife Jane, Bob, Emmett and Simon. Sisters: Elizabeth Lilia Dalton Phillips and husband Thomas Lewis, Eva May Dalton Whipple and husband John, Leona Dalton, Nancy Dalton Clute and husband Charles. Nieces: Maud Whipple and Grace May Dalton. Nephews: Charles Coleman Dalton, John W. and Alford Lee Philipps. Preceded in death by his Brother, Lewis Kossuth Dalton January 1862 and by his Sister, Hanna Adeline Dalton July 6, 1879.

Grave of Frank Dalton, US Marshall

Note: There is a considerable amount of information on Frank Dalton on the internet for those interested in following this small article up. Dairne Irwin, Editor

Mike’s Travels to California during April, 2010

From Mike Dalton, Portland, Oregon, USA

Departed for California on an early Sunday morning, to drive by automobile over the 3 to 4 thousand foot Siskiyou Mountain passes by early afternoon, and was subjected to high winds, heavy rain and snow on the road – chains advised and almost used! Before 1900, traveling by a coastal steamship between Portland and San Francisco would have been a very efficient mode of transportation, as opposed to rail or stagecoach.

On the Monday following, I visited Millicent Craig in Palo Alto, CA. Though retired from American DGS secretarial duties, Millicent is in constant touch with Michael Neale Dalton and Karen Preston - regarding membership, the Dalton International DNA Project and contributions of genealogical material from members. Millicent gave me some of the genealogical material she had on John D’Alton, the Irish author; Cardinal John D’Alton, the Irish Catholic Prelate; John Dalton, the English Quaker chemist; Emmet Dalton, the Irish Republic patriot and two early Dalton settlers of the American Colonies. Expect updates on previously published material about these individuals.

My mid week destination was the harbor of San Pedro. San Pedro is an old fishing port that is now a small part of the huge Los Angeles Area. The objective was off shore scuba diving off Catalina Island (26 miles across the sea) from a 60 foot live aboard dive charter boat. Trips across the Santa Barbara Channel can sometimes be accompanied by dolphins, chasing the boat (dolphin can be a phonetic spelling for the surname Dalton).

On the return trip North, I visited with my brother Bob. Though born in Oregon, Bob considers himself to be a fourth generation Californian. For recreation, Bob took me on a tour of an old gold mine or two in the foothills of the Sierras. The 1849 discovery of gold in California contributed immensely to its growth and the wealth of the United States.

Sacramento, being the Capitol of California is also the home of the California State Archives and State Library. Original land records and Civil War era military records can be found in the archives. Various genealogies on the state and county level can be found in the state library as well as newspapers on microfilm and city directories, dating well back into the 19th Century.

In my early genealogical research (pre-internet), I would be spending some vacation time at various libraries in the Bay Area. Most of my family tree had arrived in California from circa 1866 to 1893. They seemed to have been attracted to the California lifestyle.

California is home to some 35 million people in the 21st Century. There were quite a few less in the 1850 and 1930 Census of California. I happened to be one of the first few members of the public to view the US 1930 Census on microfilm at the San Bruno, CA branch of the National Archives in April, 2002. The US 1940 Census will become available during April, 2012.

Note: Thanks to Mike for sharing this description of his travels in April to do some Dalton research in California. We invite all DGS members to contribute a short description of any Dalton-related travels. It is always interesting to know where your Dalton research is taking you! Karen Dalton Preston

I am Christine Elizabeth Bowker Wilson - my paternal grandmother is Elizabeth Annie Dalton daughter of Charles and Mary Jane Dalton of Lancashire, England. I was born in Lancashire but my family moved to New Zealand in 1953.

I have just discovered the wealth of information that has been gathered and documented about the Dalton family - thank you! thank you! thank you! to everyone responsible. I have not yet digested it but eagerly look forward to doing so.

I have another home in Manchester, England and travel there as often as possible. I am very keen to follow my line of descent and learn more about my ancestors and would welcome any assistance possible. Please feel free to pass my email address onto any other Daltons who may want it (christinebowkerwilson@xtra.co.nz).

Thank you.

Christine Wilson

************

From Maureen Collins, Secretary for Australia and New Zealand

Sorry I have been a bit slack on "Daltons in History" lately. Gerry Dalton has been unwell so we are not good contributors at the moment.

You might already have this news but I am sending it notwithstanding:

Birmingham Pub Blacklist

Ancestry have now released this intriguing new set of records, detailing those Birmingham residents barred from public houses at the turn of the last century. Though small (only three years covered), the collection includes good descriptions, including distinguishing marks, and photographs with which to identify these black sheep and is certainly worth risking a look!

Ordnance Survey Maps now freely available

The UK’s mapping agency is now offering unrestricted access to its data following a public consultation and a new policy of government openness. OS OpenSpace is still in beta, however. Previously the public have been able to devise safe rambling and cycling trails: use it to trace mobile ancestors or compare topography.

The National Archives

New parking arrangements have come into force: the flat fee for one day is now £5 but visitors must book or they will not be permitted to use the car park.

Forthcoming lectures, which are free of charge, include Titanic: the official story, RAF service records, and The South African Empire. Don’t forget these will be available afterward on TNA podcasts.

From Monday 19 April 2010, they are also introducing a new online process to order copies of documents that are not already downloadable from their website which will replace the existing estimate request and Digital Express services.

I leave Sydney on 18 May, 2010 and will have 4 days in Beijing before arriving in the UK and onwards to France. I will be in England from about 3 July, 2010.

************

From Tom and Jerry in Australia:

This gives you a good idea of how big this "patch of red dirt" actually is.

Wide open spaces indeed!

Interesting huh?

BIG ISN'T IT?

I have just returned from the National Genealogical Society's annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference was wonderful and provided an opportunity for me to visit with old friends from high school (yes, from high school!) who were also in town for the conference.

I had no idea how exciting the weather can be in Salt Lake in April. We had rain, snow, hail, and high winds. This made walking to the convention center a challenge. I would never have guessed it was the end of April!

The conference was very well-attended. I attended several sessions on Irish research, and learned that records of rents and land tenants can be a good way to track down ancestors who do not appear in other sources. Many of these land and rent records can be found on FHL microfilm.

I also found the sessions on research skills to be helpful. In particular, I learned a great deal about types of sources, and how to weigh the information when various sources conflict.

I am hoping that this new knowledge might bring me closer to locating the origins of my Daltons!

New Members:

I am pleased to announce the following new members have joined the DGS:

Raymond P. and Cheryl Dalton, St. Louis, MO

John McAlister Dalton and Barbara Dalton, Logan, UT

Milissa Swingle, Flemington, NJ

Dalton Data Bank Update:

In order to stimulate new membership, we now have a pop-up window with a link to the Membership information page on the main DGS site. To minimize any annoyance to the DDB site visitors, the pop-up window only appears once each browser session.

We also ran a limited set of Google Ads in support of the membership drive. This Ad Campaign generated 164 visits to the Membership information page on the DGS site.

During the mid part of April, our hosting provider had an occasional technical problem where the wrong site was being shown when visiting the www.daltondatabank.org web address; this technical issue has been resolved, and we regret any confusion it might have caused visitors to the DDB.

During April, the have been several new additions to the Dalton Data Bank.

For the period 1 April to 28 April 2010:

28 April, 2010

California, USA - 1861 to 1867 Military Records Contributed by Mike Dalton, Oregon

21 April, 2010

Brooklyn, NY - 1865 Census Contributed by Theckla Ledyard, WA

6 April, 2010

Durham, England - Wills and Inventories Contributed by Lynne Rigg, England

3 April, 2010

Dalton Chronicles - Captain John Dalton of Australia Contributed by Rodney Dalton, Utah

1 April, 2010

Dalton Chronicles - Henry Dalton - Pioneer Contributed by Rodney Dalton, Utah

DDB Usage statistics 1 April to 30 April 2010:

7,358 Visits from 74 Countries

Top 10 Countries by Visits:

1. UK - 2,781
2. United States - 2,491
3. Ireland - 431
4. Australia - 405
5. South Africa - 343
6. Canada - 195
7. New Zealand - 121
8. France - 84
9. Spain - 62
10. Columbia - 56

Google Ad Campaign:

6,403 Visitors reached the Data Bank by clicking on one of the 932,369 Google Ads served during the reporting period.

Comparatives:

As compared to the same period last year (1 April 2009 to 30 April 2009), there has been a 70% rise in site Visitors and a 58% rise in the average time spent on the site by all Visitors.

The chart below summarises the change in the number of Visitors by the top 10 Countries:

Number of Visitors

Map showing April Visitor distribution

I wish you all a wonderful May, and to all the Mothers among our members, best wishes for a very Happy Mother's Day!

Karen Dalton Preston
Secretary for North America

Thank you to all who have contributed to the May 2010 issue of “Daltons in History”.

As you can see this month's issue is smaller than usual - we need your contributions!!

Please send me any ideas you may have for future articles or areas of research we could look at. New ideas are needed!!

Please consider contributing a short description of any Dalton-related travels you may have undertaken anywhere in the world. Also members who are travelling to do research, visit a Dalton-connected site, or have made a connection to a distant cousin through the DGS. might be interested in letting other members know what they are doing through "Daltons in History". Photos from the travels would be nice, too. It would also be a way of helping members get to know each other a little better, and might help members who are widely dispersed geographically to feel a bit more connected.

Contributions for the June 2010 issue need to be with me no later than 25th May 2010. (e-mail: dairneirwin@ntlworld.com).