by Millicent V. Craig Just a few years ago, mentions of Roque Dalton on the internet were fairly scarce with the exception of references to his poetry in university archives. Today there are literally thousands of internet references to this controversial man and his works. Time has modified the early stance of rejection and he has become a figure of international prominence, an El Salvadoran hero. Dalton created a personna that was rife with myths and some may have crept into unoffical biographical material. A Glimpse of Dalton's Life Dalton traveled to Russia in 1957, attended the Moscow Youth Festival and upon his return to El Salvador, joined the Communist Party. He was subsequently arrested for enlisting workers, students and peasants to rise up against the wealthy landowners. Legend is that he was to be executed (although there is not a record of a civil trial at this time), but was spared with the overthrow of the dicatorship. Mexico became his home in exile and during 1961 it was there that he composed most of his early poetry. Roque, a militant revolutionary, travelled to Cuba where he mingled with other Latin American writers and where he published his works from 1962 onward. In 1965 he ventured back to El Salvador where he was again arrested for his political work and although sentenced to death, fate intervened. An earthquake demolished part of the prison from which he extricated himself and fled to freedom. He returned to Cuba and the Party sent him to Prague as correspondent for "The International Review: Problems of Peace and Socialism". Reflecting on his long stay in Czechoslovakia, Dalton wrote "Tavern and Other Places" and this book won the Casa de las Americas poetry prize in 1969. On his return to Cuba he worked for Radio Habana and La Prensa. Dalton believed that only armed revolution would free the masses in El Salvador and this philosophy was at odds with the "legalistic" approach of the Communist Party. He returned to El Salvador and enlisted in a small guerilla group, the ERP, (Ejercito Revolucionario del Pueblo). Because of the publicity that had surrounded him in his lifetime, the organization required him to undergo extensive plastic surgery so that he would not be recognized. Armed with false identity papers, he disappeared "into the world of clandestinity" for eighteen months and it was during this period he penned his most famous "Clandestine Poems", a work that reflected the political situation in El Salvador. Within the ERP, Dalton had political differences with the leaders and was accused of trying to divide it. He was condemned to death and executed on 10 May 1975, four days before his fortieth birthday. For many years the location of his grave was unknown. The Human Rights Division issued a report in 1993 indicating that the burial site was near Quezaltepeque. Because the remains were buried only 50 centimeters deep, the site was dug up by predators and thus no remains of El Salvador's famous writer exist today. A son, journalist Juan Jose Dalton, currently concentrates his efforts on furthering the cause of human rights in his native land. Roque Dalton's Ancestry Despite the fact that the Jesuit University in El Salvador had recently accorded Dalton's works a place of prominence in its literary curriculum, no official biography was on file. Referral was made to Prof. Rafael Lara-Martinez of the New Mexico Institute who is conducting research for a biography. We provided the Professor with possible ancestral background data to use in an interview with relatives of Dalton. The interview took place in El Salvador before Christmas 2000. Preliminary findings indicate that Roque Dalton is a direct descendent of "Henry Dalton, the California Ranchero", who was christened in St. Ann's Parish in the Limehouse section of London on 8 Oct 1804. See "Daltons in History" article on the subject, Vol.3, No. 6, June 2000 and an accompanying article in Vol. 3, No. 8, August 2000. What we have yet to learn is whether Roque is descended from the Peruvian love of Henry or from Henry and his spouse, Maria Guadalupe Zamorano. As Professor Lara-Martinez continues to uncover the true Roque Dalton, we will report additional ancestral findings. In his short lifetime, this prolific writer produced 11 volumes of poetry. A sample of his writings can be found on the internet simply by typing in his name. |
The following list of convicts who were transported to Australia was compiled by Noreen O'Connor of Dublin from records in The National Archives of Ireland. John Byrne, age 16, alias Patrick Dalton. Trial 12/01/1846
in Dublin County, felony count, sentence transportation 7 years |
from Millicent V. Craig The discovery of silver in 1878, made Leadville a boom town almost overnight. The population swelled to some 30,000 and for many it was a case of rags to riches to rags as the veins petered out. Between 1882 and 1890 there were several Dalton miners listed in the city Directories of Leadville. One, Thomas Dalton, was a porter at the Tabor Grand Hotel owned by the famous HAW Tabor who vowed his fortune would return in the Matchless Mine. In 1935, his widow, "Baby Doe", froze to death in a cabin near the entrance to the mine waiting for the mine to come back. E. P. Dalton, laborer for the railway, 1886, 1887 The Colorado State Archives has a wealth of genealogical information. A list of currently available records may be viewed at: http://www.archives.state.co.us/geneal.html The E-mail address is: archives@state.co.us |
by Millicent V. Craig It is becoming more apparent that individuals and family historians are turning to DNA analysis as a means of leaping generations and finding biological connections. Most of the articles on the subject have appeared in scientific or genealogical journals, but it has now become the subject of the mass media. U. S. News and World Report is the latest to devote the cover story of the January 29, 2001 magazine to "Tracing Your Genetic Roots". The story has appeal to those who have become frustrated in their efforts to break down their brick wall. Examples of how this genealogical tool is being used follow. In one case, an African American woman in New York had traced her roots but could not make the connection to Africa. She was always intrigued with the fact that there were expressions in the vocabulary of her relatives that were indigenous to the people of Ghana. She decided on a DNA analysis and a matching against the the DNA profiles that are now available. Indeed, her DNA was a close match to Ghanaian DNA and her search is now centered in a certain area of Ghana. In another case, an American with an unusual surname of European origin, had been trying for many years to connect with his family line in Europe. He recently found several namesakes in Europe and was so determined to find his roots that he paid for the DNA analysis of each of them. Only two of the group, Germans, showed a high probability that they were related to the American. This man believes that he has found his relatives who are as excited as he is with the revelation. He now has a whole new family and an avenue for family research. Implications for Daltons Over the years there are two questions that are constantly asked by Daltons. The first relates to the infamous Dalton Gang. In some cases, elders have passed the word down that their family was related. In other instances, the subject was taboo leading descendents to believe that they are cousins. These queries do not originate only in America, but come from all parts of the globe. Using the Y chromosome of direct male descendents of a Gang family member and matching them against the Y chromosomes of would be male Dalton cousins, will prove or disprove the claims. The second most frequently asked question is more complex and involves spanning the oceans to learn whether a Dalton has Irish or English roots. Male descendents in their adopted countries are needed to match against those who stayed in their native land. This project is more complex because it not only would establish whether there is a close biologicla relationship, but on an anthropological level, might reveal whether the participants are from the same founder father. Are we ready to take the leap? This could also resolve the question of whether our roots or those of the Dalton Gang are in England or Ireland. In a somewhat similar study, the Games Family of Brecon, Wales will be testing against the Gaines family descendents who emigrated to Virginia, USA in 1650 and who claim to be related based on circumstantial evidence. After 350 years, there may be a resolution to the claim. Cautions The laws relating to DNA usage and ownership have not been written. DNA law lags behind the rapidly advancing technology and there are already cases in the courts to determine ownership of an individual's DNA. Commercial enterprises can and do claim rights, particularly if they have put research efforts into "value added" and thus justify sole claim to the "product" and resulting profits. Science is actually on the cutting edge of discovering what secrets your DNA may hold and whether there is commercial viability in it. It thus becomes imperative to determine at the outset of any project who has ownership and what rights you have. Molecular Genealogy Study A project of immense proportions is underway that will ultimately help determine our biological roots. Brigham Young University's Molecular Genealogy Research Group has undertaken a massive study to collect 100,000 DNA samples from 400 populations around the world. As of January 2001, almost 11,000 samples had been collected in the USA and 7,000 from countries outside the USA. The object of the study is to link individuals in "family trees" based on the unique identification of genetic markers that can reveal relationships not found in records. To participate in the study, one has to submit a four-generation chart along with a blood sample. A schedule of blood drawings has been set up at Family History Centers and at Genealogical Society Conferences throughout the U. S. For a schedule of drawings in New Zealand, Australia and Canada, contact your local LDS. There are no applications nor fees required. Just appear at the appointed time with your chart. Will the searching of records one day be obsolete? Will we be satisified with the instant answer, with instant scaling of the brick wall? Time is drawing nigh. For an extensive explanation of the molecular genealogy study, its aims, the location of blood drawings in the year 2001, go to: http://molecular-genealogy.byu.edu/genealogy.htm |
compiled by DGS Librarian, Michael Cayley Holy Trinity, King's Court (otherwise Christ Church) 1716-1812 Baptisms Marriages/Witnesses Burials The above records were extracted by Michael Cayley, DGS Libarian, from the files of the Society of Genealogists (SOG). E-mail: Cayley@lineone.net |