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From: <>
Subject: French Surname?
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 07:53:04 EST


Hello,
My ancestor, James Dewlen, was born August 4, 1830 in Ohio to parents of
Swiss and French origin. His mother, Elizabeth Hartman, was Swiss. His
father (identity unknown) was always listed as French on the later census
records. James Dewlen couldn't read and write. When he came to Indiana a
schoolteacher showed him how to spell his name as he gave it to her
phonetically. Therefore, all who spell their name "Dewlen" are his
descendants. However, I realize that this would not be the actual French
surname. Anyone got any guesses as to the actual French surname which would
sound like "Dewlen" in English?
Thanks for your input.
Thomas Dewlen

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