Hi there. I am not yet active in any geneloogy efforts; sorry - but - after the loss of her brother (Dowe Gibson), father (Robert Gibson) and mother (Goldie Gibson), my mother (Heather Porter, nee; Gibson) invested years documenting our family tree. Someday,when my three kids are older, I'll appreciate this far more - but mom gave my brother and I an extremely well done scrapbook of family history. Mom unearthed a rich history of information that connects the Smiley, Gibson families together. To my knowledge, mom donated all materials not known prior to her efforts to the West Hants Historical Society.
I post this today as the above post about the Smiley history aboard the Dispatch came up in our lives today. One of my daughters (Elliana, 9) is working on a 'Heritage Fair' project regarding Newfoundland Dogs. Amazingly, mom connected that interest to the Dispatch Story. Mom shows Elliana how the Smiley and Gibson lives intersect; but, it was perhaps all made possible from the power of the Harvey family and their Newfoundland dog (Hairy Man; Hairyman).
This all typed, this link may help people -
http://www.ulsterancestry.com/ShowFreePage.php?id=341 It shows the tale of the Dispatch; many family lines are listed therein.