The Dunton Times Vol. III Issue 1

A little over a year ago, when I began the process of mapping out the nature and purpose of this web site, I penned the "A, B, Cs" on the main page. They are a short representation, or mission statement for this genealogical project. They are:

Aid in Dunton / Dunten / Dutton family research.
Be a central repository for family information.
Create a tool for communicating and sharing with other members.

"A" has been met by the act of uploading and maintaining this presence on the World Wide Web. "C' is being accomplished by people using "The Searcher's Page" and by managing the DUTTON-L and DUNTON-L rootsweb mailing lists.

The "B" point of the statement has always been in the works - and I want to thank everyone who has submitted copies of photographs, copies of important papers, genealogies, histories, and other items of importance to the family - but I have finally gotten a first pass of the Archive Page completed.

This project will be a work in progress. The major works in the "paper archive" have been catalogued but it is my goal to catalogue and organize all other resources in the collection. This will be a long process so check back from time to time.

The rest of this article is a copy of the text that forms the preamble to the Archive Page:

The charter of The Dunton Family Homesite includes "reconnecting the lines" of the Dunton family, as well as any and all spelling variations. Since the site went online in December 1996, hundreds of visitors have found us. Many of these are documented relatives.

This particular page is intended to make available the documents, photographs and publications that have been used in researching and documenting our family. Some of these items are secondary sources while others are copies of original documents.

They are organized by category. At first, the list will include published books and unpublished genealogies. As time permits, I will begin to catalogue and update the list with the citations for documents that the archive contains. Please email us for information on how to submit information to the archive.

We will be working on making the information from these documents available to others in the near future. At that time, the proceeds from the fees charged for copying, postage and handling will be used solely towards the furtherance of this Web project and promoting continued research It will not be used for personal gain. The effort behind this family resource has been based on donations of time, talents, resource materials, and money. Any donations are always welcomed and the benefit passed on to all.

"Announcements" - Submit obituaries, marriage, military service, special events, and birth announcements to keep us all up to date!

Sue & Butch (real name is Elwood) Dunton from Ulster, Pennsylvania, will be celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary on January 7, 1998. They would love to hear from other Duntons.

Sgt. Joel R. Dunton of Jacksonville, North Carolina recently received the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, third award, for the period of 12 December 94 to 12 December 97. The award denotes faithfull and honorable service in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Congratulations Sgt. Dunton!

Remembered - Marie Rudolfina Bellong Dunton ("Mitzi") of Babylon, New York, passed away December 1, 1997 at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, New York. She was 85 years old. Mitzi was married to Samuel Cady Dunton (b.1910 in Bethpage, New York, d. Jan. 1976). She is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. In the early 1920s she immigrated from Graz, Austria and during her youth she performed with her parents and sister in a vaudeville act in the New York area. They went on tour throughout the U.S. and Canada and she also performed solo acts. (Submitted by her grandson, Vance Dunton)

"Life On The Farm"
Being a brief monthly accounting of the events from life on the Victor Hugo Dunton farmstead in Oregon

Well, another year has passed and it is hard to believe that the once distant date of the year 2000 is fast approaching us. Although I make my living off of high technology and integrate these technologies into my career, as well as my hobbies, I also have a deep love for days past.

Ever since I was a child I have tried to learn as much about outdoor craft and the "old timey ways" as I could. I ate up the Foxfire series of books and spent as much time with my Great-grandpas and my Grandpas as time (and vacations to Oregon) allowed.

Although I grew up in the suburbs, I always wanted to live in the country and in high school, I even told my Dad that I wanted to live on the old Dunton Family Farm someday. He thought that I was nuts.

Well, they say that you should be careful what you wish for because the opportunity arose, in 1987, to buy the place. I did, we moved in early 1988, and now 10 years have past.

A lot has changed . . . in the world . . . in our family . . . but the farm is very similar to the way that it has always been. It has been modernized a bit over the years, but it still would be recognizable to my Great-granddad.

A new year is here. It is a natural time to reflect on times past and to count our blessings. I hope that you and your families have a great 1998.

Mike Dunton - 12/26/97

If you have an interesting story that you'd like to share, PLEASE submit them.