The DGS Gathering and AGM for 2004 is returning to Lancashire, which was last visited in 1998. Join us at the Swallow Hotel near Preston.

FRIDAY 9th July 2004

SATURDAY 10th July 2004

SUNDAY 11th July 2004

Towneley Hall dates from the late 1400s, with numerous extensions and alterations up to the 19th C. It was the home of the Towneley family, but now belongs to Burnley Borough Council, who open it and the grounds to the public. About 1492, a daughter Jane was born to Sir John Towneley and Isabella Pilkington. She was their sixth child and married William, son of Robert Dalton.

Hoghton Tower is the home of the de Hoghton family, and is connected to the Daltons through the marriage in 1683 of William Hoghton of Park Hall, grandson of Sir Richard Hoghton of Hoghton Tower, to Elizabeth Dalton of Thurnham Hall.

There is, so far as I can find, no Dalton connection with Samlesbury Hall, but it is a fine Elizabethan manor house (with ghost) and only a mile from the Swallow.

On the Sunday morning, the nearest church is St. John Southworth (of the Southworths of Samlesbury Hall). It is one of the earliest emancipated Catholic buildings and its baptism register dates from 1795. It should also remind us that the Daltons of Thurnham lost a great deal because of their support, as an ancient Catholic family, for the "old faith".

Swallow Hotel. The hotel we have chosen, the Swallow, is conveniently situated both for access and the planned visits. It is 1 mile from M6 junction 31 and 5 miles from Preston railway station. I can meet trains if required. The rooms are all en-suite and there is an indoor swimming pool and fitness room. We have agreed a special rate for the weekend, to include bed & breakfast on the Friday & Saturday nights, coffee & biscuits at the AGM, buffet lunch, and 3-course dinner on the Saturday night, for the inclusive price of £90 per person. A non-returnable deposit of £10 per head will secure your booking. This should be sent to me with the form below completed. The £10 will be used to defray incidental expenses, including admission to Hoghton Tower. Arrangements can be made if you wish to extend your stay, or attend only part of the event. If you have any queries about the arrangements please contact me directly.

JOHN DALTON
Oswaldtwistle, Lancs
Email: johndalton78@hotmail.com

The Society held a highly successful Gathering in Sydney, Australia on Saturday 3 January 2004. This was hosted by Australian Secretary, Maureen Collins at her home in Mosman on the north shore of Sydney Harbour.

The event was attended by around 20 people in total. These included Michael Dalton, the Chairman of the Society, with his wife Kate, and Howard Dalton, the Society’s Treasurer, and his fiancée Jenny Redpath, who had travelled from England.

Whilst the meeting was kept as informal as possible, the relatively small numbers meant that there was the opportunity for each person present to talk about their Dalton forebears, background and interests and this ensured that there was a very useful exchange of information.

Amongst others present were:

Vernon Dalton and his brother Barry Dalton, together with their respective wives, Robyn and Fay. Vernon and Robyn live in Castle Hill, New South Wales and Barry and Fay in Blayney, NSW on the other side of the Blue Mountains. Vernon and Barry are fourth cousins of Michael Dalton and, of course, share the same Welsh Dalton descent. They were very interested in details from the 2003 Wales Gathering.

Barry, John, Vernon, Michael	Fay, Barry, Robyn, Vernon

John Daniel Prytherch. John lives in Lower Plenty, near Melbourne, Victoria and is also a cousin of Michael’s and of Welsh Dalton descent through James Dalton who married Augusta Ritso. Of course he also was keen to pick up on all the Wales Gathering details. John has done a formidable amount of his own research and he kindly passed copies of some of it to the Chairman.

Virginia Higgins. Virginia lives not far from Maureen and is thrilled that the DNA testing has linked her Manchester Daltons with DGS member, David Dalton of Huddersfield, and with Daltons of Oldham.

Wendy Fleming and her cousin Helen Smith. Wendy lives near Melbourne and Helen in Sydney and they are cousins of Leo Dalton in Sydney who has taken a DNA test.  This has identified opportunities and lines of research to pursue Irish Dalton descent.

Karen Hill. Karen is from Sydney and has now become a member of the Society. She is descended from Daltons of Barwell in Liecestershire and at the meeting she found references to these in back issues of the DGS Journal, which extended her knowledge considerably.

Margaret Dalton. Margaret travelled to the meeting from Canberra and has also now joined the Society. Her husband’s Dalton line originates from Edinburgh in Scotland.

Karen, Michelle, Howard, Michael	Back: Helen, John, Virginia, Howard Centre: Kate, Michael Front: Wendy, Margaret, Maureen, Judy

There was considerable interest in the DNA pboject and the Chairman gave a short overview of its potential to help family history research. There was also much interest shown in the website and the Dalton Data Bank both of which were demonstrated on line.

The meeting was shown a video of a talk given by committee member Lucy Slater at a meeting in Lancashire in 1993. This gave a good background and introduction to Dalton family history and the origins of the Lancashire Daltons and was much appreciated.

Maureen, ably assisted by Jenny Redpath and another Robyn, worked very hard to make the day such a success. As is the custom at DGS Gatherings, no-one starved with a sandwich buffet served at lunchtime and a magnificent hot supper in the evening. This was a full dawn to dusk meeting and, by the end of the day, we all felt that much had been achieved to move things forward.

Maureen, as Australian secretary of the Society has a platform on which to build things up further in Australia. There is no doubt that everyone who attended learnt something that they would never have found out if they had not come along. Letters, emails and telephone conversations have their place, but this proves the great value of meetings and gatherings as a method of communication. We look forward to many more.

Hampshire, England: Parish and Probate Records

Hampshire, England: Marriage Licenses, Bishop of Winchester, 1689-1837

Allegations for Marriage Licences in Hampshire, in the Registry of the Bishop of Winchester.

Addenda. Dalton, William, of St. Michael's, Southampton, coachman, 28, b., & Rebecca Dewey, of the s., 25, sp., at St. M., 08 Oct 1823.

Volume 3. Dalton, Thomas, the younger, of Aldermaston, co. Berks, a minor, with c. of his f., Thomas Dalton, the elder, of Kingsclere, & Hannah Pope, of Silchester, 21, at S., 12 Aug 1798.

Volume 3. Pitt, Jacob, of Knightsbridge, co. Middlesex, and 3rd Reg. of Foot Guards, serjeant, 21, b., & Sarah Dalton, of Stockbridge, 17, sp., with c. of her f., Henry Dalton, of the s., peat cutter, at S., 08 May 1798.

Volume 3. Dalton, James, of Up Nateley, labourer, 21, b., & Anne Dicker, of the s., sp., a minor, with c. of her m., Elizabeth Dicker, of Pamber, at U. N., 09 Sep 1795.

Volume 3. Dalton, Edward, of Gosport & of H.M.S. Princess Amelia, 21, b., & Dorothy Rowe, of G., 21, sp., at G., 18 Jul 1779.

Addenda. Dalton, Edward, of Gosport & of H.M.S. Princess Amelia, 21, b., & Dorothy Rowe, of G., 21, sp., at G., 18 Jul 1779.

Addenda. William Pawlet, of Somborne, & Mary Dalton, of Hurstbourne, special lic. 13 Aug 1779

Addenda. Dalton, Thomas, the younger, of Aldermaston, co. Berks, a minor, with c. of his f., Thomas Dalton, the elder, of Kingsclere, & Hannah Pope, of Silchester, 21, at S., 12 Aug 1798.

Volume 3. Dalton, William, of St. Michael's, Southampton, coachman, 28, b., & Rebecca Dewey, of the s., 25, sp., at St. M., 08 Oct 1823.

Volume 3. Dalton, James, of Up Nateley, labourer, 21, b., & Anne Dicker, of the s., sp., a minor, with c. of her m., Elizabeth Dicker, of Pamber, at U. N., 09 Sep 1795.

Errata. Pitt, Jacob, of Knightsbridge, co. Middlesex, and 3rd Reg. of Foot Guards, serjeant, 21, b., & Sarah Dalton, of Stockbridge, 17, sp., with c. of her f., Henry Dalton, of the s., peat cutter, at S., 08 May 1798.

Hampshire: - Register of Marriages, 1586-1812

Hampshire Parish Registers. Marriages at Faccombe, 1586 to 1812.

Volume 3. William Pawlet, of Somborne, & Mary Dalton, of Hurstbourne, special lic. 13 Aug 1779

Source Information: Hampshire, England: Parish and Probate Records.

from Millicent Craig

For the past 34 years, the goal of the Dalton Genealogical Society has been to to link Daltons to Daltons firstly through its Journals.  Since 1974, connecting people has been a major aspect of the annual gathering and meeting of Daltons.  As internet technology advanced, it increased the Society's ability to reach Daltons round the world through its web sites and to offer an opportunity to post their ancestral information and receive responses to their questions.

Once again the DGS is in the forefront  of  the latest genealogical research revolution. Through the advancements in forensic sciences and outgrowth of DNA testing to aid genealogists,  it has now become possible to take a giant leap forward in linking people to people.  There is no experience comparable to the excitement of finding a genetic cousin and proceeding in a new research  direction.

Latest Results - Linking People to People
For those readers who have been following the developments of the Dalton International DNA Project, the theory that Daltons had numerous founding fathers is being born out by the results of the testing. Thus far six and possibly seven clusters have emerged with several more participants waiting to find  a match.  And for those who do not yet have a match do not be discouraged,  for I am certain that we have only scratched the surface of the potential.  Here is a listing of the clusters as of February 1, 2004.  Several more will be added at  a later date.

1.  The Junior Dalton Line out of England.  The DNA of an American is the fourth match to this line.

2. The Thurnham/Croston line.  (England) . There are two matches and a search is on for other descendents of this line.

3. English Group III.  Matches occurred between two Daltons whose ancestors worked in the textile mills of Manchester.  We hope to add to this through those Daltons who emigrated to the U. S. during or after the U. S. Civil War when the English mills shut down due to lack of cotton imports.

4. Irish Group I.  This group now has six matches, none of whom had previously known each other.  It spans three continents, linking an Australian, four Americans and an Irish member.  The ancestors of these members seem to be concentrated in mid south Ireland and we now know that two were in adjoining parishes.  (A meeting of several members of this group will be held in Palo Alto, CA on Apr 2, 2004).

5. Irish Group II.  The DNA of this group differs from that of Group I and  suggests that they had a different founding father.  We would like our Canadian Daltons to consider testing and linking to others from their lines.

6. The Dalton Gang of America.  As announced in the DGS Journal, the DNA of the only living male descendent of the Gang was deposited in the Project in September 2003.  The DNA of two DGS members match that of the participant and more matches are expected.  Unfortunately some who believe that they are related to the Gang may find otherwise but may find a new and unexpected family in the diverse lines that are being developed.

7. mtDNA Test.  Three of our female members who are or may be descended from the Hampton NH Blake/Dalton line line have agreed to take the test.

8. Multiple Lines.   As of this date there are many English, Irish and American participants in the DNA project who do not yet have a match and because of aberrations in their records some may never have a match.  But there are others who should and will have a match.  We are actively seeking more male Dalton descendents of Hampton, NH or Newburyport, MA., Kansas, Georgia, Utah, Kentucky, Virginia, and in fact from all states.

A Status Report of the project appeared in the latest DGS Journal and more members in England are beginning to seek  participation. We hope to hear from more Americans, Canadians and Australians as well.

Note:  If you would like to  participate in this international project, please be in contact with your Coordinator, Millicent Craig, e-mail:  mailto:Millicenty@aol.com

"A River Away"

by Marilyn Dungan

The following book announcement came from author, Marilyn Dungan at: mdungan@sprynet.com Valentine Thomas Dalton was the ancestor of one or more of our DGS members and the fourth great grandfather of Marilyn.

"A River Away" a historical novel consists of 332 pages of documented information on the life of the Captain.  He was born in Ireland about 1754 (location unknown) and little is known of his childhood.  His family settled in Baton Rouge, Louisiana probably in the late 1760's.  He was an adventurer and the remainder of Dalton's life is well documented since it ran almost parallel to that of General George Roger's Clark.

He accompanied General Clark  on an expedition that historians argue was the most extraordinary feat of the Revolutionary War.  Unfortunately Dalton family research also suggests that Dalton participated in Clark's two private and little known military actions that were thought to be treasonable missions against America. There are more than 150 references to Dalton in General Clark's papers alone.

Inspired by four vintage photographs and corroborated by two hundred 24 year old copies of letters, court records and other documents,  "A River Away" implies that Captain Dalton infiltrated the Spanish High Command as a spy under General Clark.  "A River Away" is not merely a chronological trip through time by ordinary characters.  Instead it tells the story of Captain Valentine Thomas Dalton who intimately knew the historical figures in the this novel of  love intrigue and survival.

Photos of Valentine's second wife, Caty (born 1776), Valentine Jr., Jr.'s daughter Julia Elizabeth, and her son, H.N. Conner and letters, court records and other documents are included in the novel.

Valentine died at Baton Rouge, LA on August 6, 1807.

"A River Away," (332 pages) can be purchased by sending a check for $16 plus $3 for shipping and handling to  Arcane Books, LLC, P.O. Box 5102, Paris, KY 40362 . http://www.amazon.com/ also carries the book.

Northern Ireland

A separate file has been formatted for the Northern Ireland counties of ANTRIM, ARMAGH, DERRY, DOWN, FERMANAGH AND TYRONE.  They are part of the United Kingdom.  Records for these counties have been extracted from the Civil Registrations of Vital Statistics and from the IGI.  Some records may be found in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.  There are 300 surname entries in this file with the most in Counties ANTRIM and DOWN and the least in DERRY (LONDONDERRY. The data supplements that in the file of IRELAND and was extracted by DGS member,  William "Mike" Dalton. Our appreciation is extended to Mike.

Michigan

The earliest Dalton record in Michigan is 1829 in Detroit.  Canadians, Irish and English  prominent in the records and the population grew slowly until industrialization. Wayne County and particularly Detroit accounted for the largest number of Daltons.  The influx can be seen in the Social Security Death Index by observing the large number of Daltons whose Social Security numbers were issued out of state.

Conversely, the exodus to warmer climes (likely in retirement) is evident in the large number of Daltons who moved on to the southern states and to California. This file contains over 1200 surname entries and the sections can be accessed by clicking on a title in the Contents boxes.  Our appreciation is extended to DGS member, K. T. Mapstone for the Death Index.