| 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: Millicenty@aol.com
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