It seems as I trace, I am likely a descendant of Louis Dulin from Nova Scotia. One of the records is George G Dulong born in MA about 1900. My grandfather bore that name with a birthdate of November 21, 1899.
If anyone has any tips for tracing, I'm receptive. Currently live in AZ but family (Dad, 89, lives in RI; brothers George and Bill and sister Maureen live in RI).

Hi Bob,

Take a look here:

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&d...

You and I are third cousins, once removed. Our common ancestor is Reuben Dulin/Dulong, b.1852 in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia.

I'd love to hear any additional info you have about your grandfather and/or his family group.

Cheers,
Geoff Trowbridge
(son of Nancy Jeanne Dulong)

Geoff,
Thanks for your reply. You have filled in a family mystery--"Henry" Smith was aka "Smiley Smith". No one remembered hearing a real first name. He supposedly had Civil War military experience and went on to be police chief in Chelsea MA. My folks tried to find out more but got lost when they found the records were lost in Chelsea. OK, here's the info on my grandfather, George Grant Dulong. Born Nov 21, 1899, to Henry D Dulong and Lillian Smith Dulong. Henry's occupation is listed on the birth record as Stock Fitter and place of birth Nova Scotia (checks with your info). They lived at 87 Sixth Street, Chelsea, MA. My grandmother was Bertha (Donovan) Dulong. They had George Henry (my Dad, born Aug 2, 1921), William (killed in action in WWII), Norman and Lillian (Dulong) Rachiele. Dad will be 89 this year, I don't have the DOB's on Norman and Lillian but will ask my Dad when we visit him in RI later this month.
Geoff, where do you live? My grandfather migrated from Chelsea to Providence with the US Rubber Co when my Dad was a child. The family has remained there except for myself who joined the AF and served for 40 years. Now settled in Phoenix.
Bob

Geoff, forgot to mention, my grandfather went on to the ripe old age of 94, dying in May 1994 (don't recall the exact date). No chronic problems and I saw him six months before he died....he could tell you everything you would ever want to know about the Red Sox (players, front office, upcoming events, etc). I hope I am so lucky to have my faculties at that age!

Bob

Hi Bob,

I've lived in Elkhart, Indiana all my life. But my mother (Nancy Jeanne Dulong) was born in Stoneham, Mass. She moved to Huntsville, Alabama when her father (Harry James Dulong) started working on the rocket programs at Redstone Arsenal. After marrying my father (who was stationed there in the Army), they relocated to Indiana where he had grown up.

Harry's father was Frank Reuben Dulong, who was born in Belleville, Yarmouth County, NS. He was the son of Alexander. Alexander was the brother of your great-grandfather Henry, and in fact Alexander married his brother's widow Lillian after Henry's death.

I've never been to Nova Scotia but I'd love to check out some of the old fishing villages someday.

Cheers,
Geoff

Geoff,

Thanks for all your timely info. We're visiting my Dad in RI next week and he just got all excited to discuss the family tree. What a treat for a guy about to turn 89. He told me Henry died young from the chemicals he worked with in a shoe factory. I had never heard that one.

I spent forty years in the AF, traveling all over the world. As I finished up, the descendants of Richard Dulong found my biography on the web and contacted me. They were my first leads to the "Dulin" side of the house.
In years past, my family talked about "Smiley" Smith who had been the police chief in Chelsea and also was an officer in the Army in the Civil War. We could not find his real name until we exchanged emails this week. I may try to find him in the military archives. Now, you said your Dad was in the Army. I'd be interested to find the military heraldry of our family line.
I share your interest in perhaps checking out the villages of Nova Scotia someday and getting the feel for what their migration was like.
I have printed all the threads and will take them with me to New England to "acquaint" you with your other third cousins, once removed....my oldest brother, George (66), older brother, Bill (63), and my younger sister, Maureen (56). They will be excited to hear we've broken through the Smiley Smith mystery.
You've done quite a bit of detective work. What is your line of work? The Richard Dulong who contacted me was a PhD with extensive genealogical research. Just curious as to your line of work.
Myself, I retired from the military (USAF) in 2009 after 40 years service. 13 years as an aircraft maintenance crew chief followed by 27 years as an aircraft maintenance officer, ending up as the fleet manager for the nation's B-2 Spirit (Stealth)bomber. I retired as a Colonel and after the last several intensive years are just now relaxing in Phoenix, golfing as frequently as I choose to. Life is good.

Thanks for all your help, Cuz,
Bob

Geoff,

I will gather as much info as I can when I go to RI this week. My grandfather (George G) had four children: George H (my Dad, Aug 2, 1921) William (killed in WWII in the Phillipines), Dorothy, Norman, and Lillian.
My Dad was very excited to hear we've broken the code on "Smiley" Smith.

Bob

Hi Bob,

The story about the shoe factory seems to fit, as the census and directory listings show Henry's occupation as a "shoemaker." (See attachments)

However, he couldn't have served in the Civil War, as he wasn't born until 1874 (and came to the US in 1879). Perhaps he served in the Spanish-American War instead?

I believe I may have corresponded with the Richard Dulong you mention, a few years back. Like me, he is descended from Alexander Dulong (Henry's brother) but through his son George. Myself, I'm not a professional researcher, but I do work for the Elkhart Public Library, so I have easy access to a great deal of useful genealogical databases. :-) Let me know if you ever need a lookup of any sort.

I'll look forward to hearing about your trip!

Cheers,
Geoff

Aw, crud... I just realized we're talking about two different Henrys!

I see now, "Smiley" was the father of Lillian (and therefore the father-in-law of Henry D. Dulong the shoemaker). Eventually I get this stuff figured out. LOL!

Yes, it appears that Henry "Smiley" Smith did indeed serve in the Civil War. I've attached a document and a photo that you might find interesting.

Geoff