How can I get more information on a Mark Durand who shows up on the 1880 census of McDowell County, North Carolina? He is a widower from Switzerland with three children. He is living next door to my gg-grandfather Jules Golay (spelled Julius in the census records).
I thought perhaps the two families came from Switzerland together, but the Durands are not listed on the ships record for the SS Amerique which landed in New York on August 13, 1879. My Golay family members were on this ship.
I still don't think it is by accident that these two Swiss families were living next door to each other in 1880 in Old Fort, NC.
Anyone have any ideas on how to find out about the Durands?
Thanks for any tips.

Durand is a rather common name...
Concerning the Golay, they originated in Le Chenit, Vaud. So you can start your search from here... although by the end of the 19th century there were some in other places in Vaud...
For instance, Salomon François Golay (son of Abraham Isaac, from Le Chenit) was granted the title of bourgeois in Crassier on Feb 1, 1745... there may be others there.