From Millicent Craig

The following essay is meant to provide a ray of hope to the dozens of requestors who have asked to participate in the Dalton International DNA Project and who have failed to qualify. They either do not have a living male Dalton relative nor have been able to locate one who could participate in the study.

Hidden in your box of keepsakes or in the attic trunk are DNA remnants of your ancestors. Forensic science techniques can now be applied to these treasures by a fledgling private industry sector known as regenerative DNA. Although still in its infancy, it offers some hope to those who have exhausted all means of obtaining DNA from a living Dalton male relative and who have spent thousands of dollars in pursuit of their ancestors.

Extracting DNA from ancestral keepsakes can vary widely in results and depends on the quality of the sample. Another caution is the accurate "person" identity of the sample. DNA regeneration is a costly procedure and can range upwards from $600 but is worth it to some. Once quality DNA has been extracted it can then be analyzed by existing laboratories and a life-long search can be ended.

Sources of DNA

Hair

Hair is one of the most likely sources of DNA in your treasure box. Parents tended to save the first cuttings of both boys and girls and they are usually found in a yellowed envelope tied with a ribbon. Sometimes cuttings are found in a framed collage with other items belonging to the young child. In the 1920's young women bobbed their hair and saved the long locks that were often braided. In the 1980's men began to shed the long locks of the 1960's and 1970's.

During Queen Victoria's time, the mourning broach was popularized in England. It was made of hair and worn as an ornament. Mourning broaches became stylish in America as well as hair bracelets and necklaces. Betrothed couples exchanged jewelry made from their hair so there are examples of male as well as female ornaments to be found. Again, unless the history of the piece is known and the identity of the donor is certain, this could be a waste of time and money.

Bell displays and shadow box frames often contain the mementos of deceased members of the family. Usually there is a picture of the person along with other items and can include strands of hair. Bell displays rested on your grandmother's parlor table. Person identity is easier in such cases. These are a few instances but one should not overlook old hats, brushes, razors, etc.

A locket is another piece of jewelry that sometimes contained a tiny photograph with a strand of hair. This could be the remembrance of a deceased child and the hair sample is usually belonged to the child.

Letters

How often we hear of families in America and Australia who have saved old letters that were received from relatives in other countries. If the sender could read and write, there is good possibility that the DNA on the back of the stamp and on the seal of the envelope is that of the person who wrote the letter. The reverse is also true. There are many English and Irish who have treasured letters from relatives in Australia, North America and other parts of the world.

Every war has produced millions of letters from servicemen. From these letters the male Y chromosome needed for DNA analysis can be extracted. Mothers, wives and sweethearts cherished these missives and some letters go back as far as the Revolutionary War in America and perhaps the Crimean War in Europe. Unfortunately with self- stick stamps, seals and postage meters, e-mails and faxes, this source will not be available to future generations.

Scrapbooks

A recent story in the Rootsweb Newsletter revealed a most unusual source of DNA although the writer failed to recognize the scientific impact of the discovery. A scrapbook compiled in 1853 found its way to a second hand store and eventually to the hands of a family historian whose husband is related to the compiler. There are 53 individuals arranged in ancestral order on 53 pages. Each page contains a picture of the individual, hair samples, bits of ribbon, a verse and often the handwriting of the subject. What an extraordinary find! The samples are 150 years old and the donors are identified! One wonders whether this was a common family project of the pre- Civil War period in America and how many such scrapbooks still exist. Was it a practice that was brought from the Old World?

Editor's Note. Your grandmother may be able to provide more DNA sources or knowledge of sources. They were frequently handed down in a family. If you have an unusual DNA find in your box of mementos, perhaps you would like to share it with other readers.

It has been over well over a year since two English Daltons volunteered in the winter of 2003 to have their DNA analyzed. They knew little about DNA and less of its use as related to genealogy. By Spring they learned that their DNA was a perfect match and what their ethnic background is. Since that time, 47 members of the Dalton Genealogical Society have joined the study. Thirty-five members have received their results and the DNA of another twelve members is in various stages of analysis. In addition, members who were participants in the Dalton America DNA project have contributed their DNA markers for comparison with markers in the DGS project. This makes a total of 54 members who are participating in the International Dalton Gene Pool.

The object of this study is not to just identify genetic cousins (which in itself is important) but to try and link Americans and Australians to their roots in Ireland or England. This study is quite useful to some English and Americans of believed English descent and who now find that their roots are in Ireland. Others of Irish descent are finding that their roots are in England.

The results thus far are showing sets of perfect American matches, English/American matches, Irish/American/Australian matches and other matches within England. DGS membership in North America is high and growing rapidly and explains the large sector of Americans in the study. Naturally there are those who have not found genetic matches and the DGS intends to keep pursuing this project to enhance opportunities for its members.

Taking a DNA sample with a mouth swab is simple and painless. Family Tree DNA who offers the kit has a group discount price of $169.00 for a 25 marker test. Your Project Administrator will walk you through the steps to order your kit. We look forward to you joining the Project and working with you. When the Project is completed a report will be published in the DGS Journal. Contact your Dalton International DNA Project Administrator, Millicent Craig at: Millicenty@aol.com Become a part of this history making event and the Dalton International Gene Pool.

During the summer months, family historians and genealogists find many exciting  pursuits when children and grandchildren are out of school. The Dalton Journal will arrive at the beginning of the vacation period and we hope that your family will enjoy the contents that are contributed, compiled and edited by our DGS volunteers.  John Dalton, Editor (JohnDalton78@hotmail.com) eagerly awaits your special family story for publishing in the Fall Journal so please give some thoughts to it during the summer months.

To those who are not yet members of the DGS, browse the Contents below and join the  rapidly growing world-wide membership.  Download the Membership and Entitlements page and mail it to your local secretary.

Extracted by DGS Member, Mike Dalton

Births

5 Mar. 1836: Anne age 23 and James Aulton. porter; RC of St. Audeons; a girl.
18 Oct. 1836: Anne, age 29 and James Dalton, laborer; RC of St. Thomas; a girl.
5 Aug. 1837: Jane, age 25 and John Dalton, servant; Prot. of St. Marys; a boy.
12 Dec. 1837: Mary Ann, age 22 and Patrick Dalton, tailor; RC of St. Marys; a boy.
19 July 1838: Eliza Dalton, age 34 and husband age 33; a girl, stillborn; now has 2 boys and 2 girls living.
4 Sept. 1838: Ellen Dalton, age 25 and husband age 38; a boy, stillborn; now has 2 boys living; a previous son died after one week.
4 Oct. 1838: Eleanor, age 25 and John Dalton, laborer; RC of St. Marys; a boy; stillborn.
15 Oct. 1839: Mary Ann, age 24 and Patrick Dalton, laborer; RC of country parish; a boy.
9 Jan. 1840: Ellen, age 27 and John Dalton, laborer; RC of St. Thomas; a boy.
30 Mar. 1840: Susanna, age 30 and James Dalton, servant; RC of St. Georges; girl.
1 Feb. 1842: Eliza, age 38 and John Dalton, laborer; RC of St. Catherine's; a girl.
9 Dec. 1842: Mary Ann, age 30 and Thomas Dalton, porter; RC of St. Andrews; a girl.
24 Jan. 1843: Mary Ann, age 24 and John Dalton, tailor; RC of St. Georges; a boy.
5 Feb. 1843: Margaret, age 20 and Cornelius Dalton, laborer; RC of St. Nicholas; a boy.
8 Mar. 1843: Rebecca, age 21 and James Dalton, porter; Prot. of St. Peters; a girl; baptized Charlotte on 12 Mar. 1843.
22 Mar. 1843: Margaret, age 40 and Patrick Dalton, servant; Prot. of St. Peters; a girl.
10 June 1843: Margaret, age 19 and James Dalton, music teacher; RC of St. Thomas; a girl.
2 Apr 1844: Mary, age 25 and Edward Dalton, shoemaker; Prot. of St. Marks; admitted - no other details.
6 Nov. 1845: Mary A. Dalton, age 26 and John Dalton, tailor; RC of St. Marys; boy.
9 Jan. 1846: Anne, age 25 and James Alton, dealer; RC of St. Marks; a girl.
27 Apr. 1846: Jane, age 22 and John Dalton, miller; Prot. of St. Michans; a girl; baptized Anne on 3 May 1846.
4 May 1846: Mary, age 21 and Michael Dalton, laborer; RC of St. Peters; a girl.
29 June 1846: Mary, age 28 and Edward Dalton. shoemaker; Prot. of St. Wexburghs; a boy.
23 Feb. 1847: Margaret, age 23 and Columbus Dalton, sawmaker; RC of St. Lukes; a boy.
10 May 1847: Mary, age 32 and William Dalton, servant; Prot. of St. Peters; a girl.
29 Oct. 1847: Anne, age 26 and William Dalton, clerk; RC of St. Michans; ____.
21 Mar. 1848: Ellen, age 28 and Edward Dalton, smith; RC of St. Peters; a girl.
18 Aug. 1849 Margaret, age 23 and Patrick Dalton, silk weaver, RC of St. Lukes; a girl.
24 Oct. 1849: Mary A., age 25 and Columbus Dalton, weaver; RC of St. Michans; a girl.
19 Feb. 1850: Anne, age 22 and William Dalton , laborer; RC of Belcamp; ____.
11 June 1850: Mary, age 31 and John Dalton, carpenter; RC of St. Marys; a girl.
22 Aug. 1850: Mary, age 25 and Michael Dalton, laborer; RC of St. Peters; a girl.
31 July 1851: Anne, age 25 and Michael Dalton, sawyer; RC of St. Michans; a girl.
2 Sept. 1851: Mary A., age 28 and Patrick Dalton, weaver; RC of St. Peters; two girls, twins. Both died: 6 Sept. 1851 and 8 Sept. 1851.
2 Oct. 1851: Ellen, age 30 and Edward Dalton, smith; RC of St. Peters; boy, stillborn.
4 Jan. 1852: Mary A., age 27 and James Dalton, shoemaker; RC of St. Marys; boy.
6 June 1852: Ellen, age 31 and Edward Dalton, smith; RC of St. Peters; admitted, no other details.
11 May 1853: Mary A., age 28 and James Dalton, shoemaker; RC of St. Marys; admitted, no other details.
19 Aug. 1853: Margret, age 22 and Michael Dalton, farmer; RC of St. Pauls; a boy.
15 Aug. 1855: Mary A., age 24 and Thomas Dalton, painter; RC of St. Georges; girl.
25 Apr. 1856: Mary A., age 28 and James Dalton, shoemaker; RC of St. Marys; boy.
25 July 1858: Ellen, age 23 and John Dalton, servant; RC of St. Marys; a girl.
9 Dec. 1858: Margaret, age 34 and Patrick Dalton, shoemaker; RC of St. Marys; admitted, no other details.
19 Sept. 1859: Ellen Dalton, age 35; a girl, stillborn; now has 5 boys and 5 girls living.
24 April 1860: Margaret Dalton, age 36; a girl; now has 2 girls living.
13 Dec. 1860: Fanny Dalton, age 23; a boy who died after 12 hours.
1 Oct. 1861: Eliza Dalton: age 19; male child; 1st. born.
9 July 1863: Mary A. Dalton: age 37; male child; now has 4 boys and 1 girl.
4 Aug. 1863: Mary Anne Dalton: age 24; male child; 1st. born; still born.
18 Aug. 1863: Mary Dalton: age 18; male child; 1st. born.

Editor's Note: The entire list of Rotunda Hospital Births will become available in the Republic of Ireland file.

The following Wills have been listed by the Public Record Office. Their listings are constantly updated and should be searched periodically.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/

Hampshire

9 January 1783, Will of Dalton Corder, late of His Majesty's Ship Preston of Royal Hospital Haslar Gosport, Hampshire, Prob 11/1099
16 June 1795, Will of Edward Dalton, Gentleman, Lieutenant in His Majesty's Navy of Petersfield, Hampshire, Prob. 11/1262
12 July 1798, Will of Alicia Dalton, Widow of Hurstbourne Tarrant, Hampshire, Prob 11/1309
13 March 1815, Will of Richard Dalton, Invalid late belonging to his Majesty's Ship the Nisbe, now a patient of Royal Hospital Haslar, Hamsphire, Prob. 11/1566
19 December 1823, Will of Reverend Thomas Dalton, Bachelor in Divinity of Northwood Rectory in the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, Prob. 11/1678
10 May 1834, Will of Dorothy Dalton, Widow of Gosport, Hampshire, Prob. 11/1831

Suffolk

1 December 1727, Will of John Dalton, Staymaker of Bury Saint Edmund, Suffolk, Prob 11/614
1 December 1727, Will of John Dalton, Staymaker of Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk, Prob 11/618
30 December 1763, Will of John Dalton, Taylor of Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk, Prob. 11/894
28 July 1794, Will of William Dalton, Merchant of Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk, 11/1247
12 Jan 1796, Will of Hannah Dalton, Widow of Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk, Prob. 11/1270
15 Jun 1830, Will of Dorothy Sulyard, formerly Dorothy Dalton, Widow of Bury, Suffolk, Prob 11/1773
23 February 1847, Will of Ezra Dalton, Gentleman of Shimpling, Suffolk, Prob 11/2050

Warwickshire

7 July 1740, Will of James Dalton, Linnen Draper of Birmingham, Warwickshire, Prob. 11/703
27 May 1784, Will of Mary Dalton, Widow of Birmingham, Warwickshire, Prob Prob 11/1116
7 Jul 1788, Will of Jacob Dalton, Gentleman of Coventry, Warwickshire, Prob 11/1168
7 January 1806, Will of Edward Dalton, Baker of Brinklow, Warwickshire, Prob 11/1436
29 March 1820, Will of Samuel Dalton, Watchmaker of Rugby, Warwickshire, 11/1626
16 June 1829, Will of George Dalton, Farmer and Grazier of Newnham Regis, Warwickshire, 11/1756
21 February 1835, Will of Thomas Dalton, Silk Dyer of Coventry, Warwickshire, 11.1626

1. From Bob Dalton

DGS member, Robert "Bob" Dalton of KS and his brother, Allen, represented the Dalton Gang at the annual Dalton Days celebration at Meade, Kansas in June. Bob is a contributor of Gang related articles to journals and to the web. His note follows.

"Hi Millicent

I just want to let you know that Susan Foster and everybody else at Meade really hosted us well at the Dalton Days Celebration. My brother Allen, his two daughters, and I really enjoyed the event. Although my brother asked the townsfolk how many "banks" they had and when did they open, we were still treated quite well. I will have to go back next year, if for nothing else but the campfire coffee that you had to strain between your teeth. I would encourage any Dalton to attend. We had a great time.

On this trip, I also found my great, great grandparents graves (Lewis and Talitha Dalton) in a small prairie cemetery near Langdon, KS in Reno county. I last looked for them 30 some years ago without having all the info I needed. This time I found them. I also discovered that my great grandfather, William Henry Dalton, as executor of Talitha's will, failed to heed her request in her last will and testament to give her a marker like her husband's. Her grave is unmarked. I will remedy that.

I wish to thank you for all the work you are doing with Dalton genealogy.

Sincerely, Bob"

2. From Bill Dalton Phillips

DGS member Bill Phillips of OK reports the theft of another Dalton grave marker, that of Julia Johnson Dalton, the widow of Emmett Dalton who was buried near her family in the Dewey, OK cemetery. This is not the first time that Dalton markers have become souvenirs. A few years ago the markers of the Dalton Gang family were removed from the cemetery in Kingfisher, OK and they have since been replaced by Bill. Prior to that a college student made off with the marker of the Bob, Grat and Bill Powers in Coffeyville, Kansas and it was replaced by the town with a replica of Emmett's original. Bill hopes that those who would like to have Dalton souvenirs will contact him. He has a very large collection of Dalton Gang memorabilia that he willingly shares.

3. From Robert W. Dalton

Robert W. Dalton resides in Morgan County, IL. He is descended from a Dalton line that migrated from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina. Robert has helped to solve a mystery that was over 150 years old.

Jacksonville was the home of a Dalton family who emigrated from England and was never heard from again. It is the family of Dr. Lucy J. Slater, committee member of the DGS who lives in Cambridge, England. Robert searched burial records of the Jacksonville cemeteries, took photographs of the gravestones and combed through newspaper files for information about this family. At the AGM in July, Lucy will be the recipient of a large packet of material that will provide closure to this branch of her family. We are deeply grateful to Robert W. Dalton for his efforts on Lucy's behalf.

Note: Lucy has written several long articles on her Oldham Daltons for the DGS Journal and they can be ordered through the DGS Journal Index. Undoubtedly the material from Robert will provide Lucy with enough subject matter for another Journal item.

4. To Ancestors of Henry Milton Dalton

Henry M. Dalton was the son of James Lewis Dalton. James Lewis reportedly was the brother of Benjamin Dalton, the grandfather of the Dalton Gang. A last living descendent of the Gang was located by DGS member, Bill Dalton Phillips. They are third cousins and Bill sponsored his cousin in the International Dalton DNA Project. Bill was anxious to locate his family, to learn the ethnicity of the family and to respectfully preserve their DNA in the event of future likely exhuming events.

He now wants to locate relatives who are descended from James Lewis Dalton. If James Lewis was Benjamin's brother, then James Lewis would be a great uncle to the Gang and to Bill. The father of the Gang, James Dalton and Henry Milton Dalton would be first cousins. The DNA of Henry's male descendents would match the DNA of the Gang. If so, then Bill would be a fourth or fifth cousin to living descendents.

To correctly identify potential descendents, Henry Milton Dalton was born on November 29 1821 in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY and he died on February 16, 1896 in Independence, Jackson, County, MO. If you are a descendent of Henry Milton, please be in touch. Bill Dalton Phillips is descended from one of the sisters of the Gang.

Late item: Bill Phillips has now found one cousin and is anxious to expand his family connections. However he would also like to hear from other cousins.

5. From Melanie Crain

Melanie Crain wishes to remind you to visit the Dalton Newsletter web site at: http://www.dalton-newsletter.com/home.htm Melanie and James Klumpp have been researching the Virginia Daltons and their series of Dalton Journals is posted on this site. Melanie is also the editor of the monthly Dalton Newsletter.

6. From Russell Dalton

DGS member Russell Dalton of Alamagordo, NM is a direct descendent of George Dalton who was a soldier in the British Army during the Revolutionary War. He was captured, released, married in Virginia and his descendents moved into Kentucky. Russell is participating in the International Dalton DNA Project of the DGS and hopes to learn the ethnicity of his forbears and whether a link can be made to his roots in England or Ireland. Other direct descendents of this line are invited to participate.

7. Russell's Ancestral Line

1st Generation

Russell Eugene Dalton was born September 22, 1927 in Bloomington, Illinois, son of Clarence Dalton and Alta Edna Crutchley.

2nd Generation

Clarence Dalton was born June 14, 1889 in Leitchfield, Grayson County, Kentucky, son of Hensley Dalton and Elizabeth J. Mattingly. Clarence died May 11, 1957 in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois. He married Alta Edna Crutchley December 24, 1919 in McLean County, Illinois

3rd Generation

Hensley Dalton was born May 02, 1867 in Grayson County, Kentucky, son of Thomas Foster Dalton and Sarah A. Ramsey. Hensley died July 08, 1890 in Grayson County, Kentucky. He married Elizabeth J. Mattingly February 14, 1886 in Grayson County, Kentucky.

4th Generation

Thomas Foster Dalton was born abt. 1843 in Breckenridge County, Kentucky, son of David Daniel Dalton and Rose Anna Basham. He married Sarah A. Ramsey

5th Generation

David Daniel Dalton was born abt. 1810 in Warren County, Kentucky, son of William Michael Dalton and Winifred Foster, and died after 1880 in Grayson County, Kentucky. He married Rose Anna Basham December 25, 1829 in Perry County, Indiana.

6th Generation

William Michael Dalton was born abt. 1786 in Virginia, son of George W. Dalton and Winneyford (Winnie) Wiggington, and died July 14, 1860 in Allen County, Kentucky. He married Winifred Foster November 17, 1804 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.

7th Generation

George W. Dalton was born 1753 in Ireland or England, and died September 05, 1826 in Allen County, Kentucky. He married Winneyford (Winnie) Wiggington abt. 1783 in Pittsylvania County, Kentucky.

From Millicent Craig

Your editor will be in England when you read this and will return in mid July. In my absence, urgent messages can be sent to: Daltongene@aol.com and will be forwarded to me.

As promised in the June 2004 issue of "Daltons in History", the web site for the Republic of Ireland was set up and construction of the 26 County files is underway. The new format will allow researchers to keyword search all 26 files at one time.

Files for the new site have been updated by Mike Dalton of Oregon. Until construction has been completed, please search the Ireland file for additional counties. Northern Ireland Counties now have a separate site on the Data Bank Home page.

Counties Carlow and Cavan

The new site, Republic of Ireland, opened with the posting of the County Carlow and County Cavan files. Each file contains Births, Marriages, Tithe Applotments, Griffiths Valuations, Defaulters, etc. County Carlow has 400 surname entries and County Cavan contains 250 surname entries.

Birth and Marriage data is being extracted from multiple sources and when completed, the Republic of Ireland web site will contain the largest compilation of Irish Daltons to be found anywhere. Mike could use some assistance with counties having a high population of Daltons and if you have the time he would appreciate your help.