The history of the Gallagher's as I remember them... Part 1

Well, that is another nine months gone, as anyone still reading here can tell. I have stopped updating my genealogy blog. I haven't had time to write about all my adventures or misadventures for a while. Between school, work, and marriage, there was a thin line between sleep and staying up to blog. Then life hit. You know how it is. You are going along, working, living. Then a bunch of things happen all at once. Before you know it, you've been posting on your blog for nine months. 

So, that's why I'm here? Maybe. Has my life slowed down since I finished my genealogy studies at BYU-Idaho? Or is it because life has slowed down (definitely not). Or I'd like to leave my thoughts, cares, and prayers in a space other than Facebook. That's it. My hand-written journaling has also been slacking, so don't be jealous of actual pen and paper. 

Regarding genealogy, there are no significant finds, wall-breaking epiphanies, or groundbreaking records released on FamilySearch or Ancestry😞. However... This is my third senior service mission in the North American Operations of BYU at FamilySearch. In this capacity, I am assisting with the "chat" options to help people like you figure out their family tree, fix mistakes, and merge records that have been duplicated more than twice, I've seen up to six times so far. Also, guiding and introducing people to the basics of research. I am enjoying it so far. 

This is the third mission I have served for FamilySearch. I enjoy serving people by helping them find their family members. So I decided, and with prompting from the Holy Spirit, I applied for my 2nd tour and have been serving since June 2025.   

Something else I'd like to do is revisit Utah and see the Granite Vault (click link), built in the foothills of the mountains surrounding the Salt Lake Valley. However, there is no public access, but nonetheless, it would be cool to see. In the fall, it's too hot (now) to hike a mountain to see something you can't enter. 

Are you still doing genealogy?

The short answer is yes. The long answer is more complicated. It used to be that I logged on to FamilySearch, Ancestry, and my genealogy email multiple times a day. However, when school ended, I slowed down, really slow. Plus, with the uptick in prices in the economy, many people have put genealogy on the back burner. In my research, it appears there haven't been any significant finds, wall-breaking epiphanies, or any groundbreaking records released on FamilySearch or Ancestry. That is, since the 1950 census records 

When Charles Edward Gallagher was born on 11 September 1912 in Brooklyn, New York, his father, Edward, was 39, and his mother, Margaret, was 32. He married Florence Helen Harvey on 20 June 1941, in New York City, New York. They had eight children during their marriage. He died on 12 February 1985, in his hometown at the age of 72.
When I found my late grandfather's obituary, everything matched what I had on FamilySearch and Ancestry, except for one thing: "his late wife," Florence Harvey Gallagher. 1

The thing is, she wasn't deceased in 1985; when Florence Helen Harvey was born on 9 February 1923 in New York City, New York, her father, George, was 33, and her mother, Florence, was 23. She married Charles Edward Gallagher, and they had eight children together.
Then they divorced because of my grandfather's alcoholism and other destructive behavior. There were many times my Sister, who was five years younger than I, would look for grandpa, and the bartender would ask us to bring him home because he was passed out on the floor or on the bar. I'd have to call my dad and tell him where we were. When my father took the train home (which wasn't for free), he got to grandpa's stoop, because we couldn't lift him to walk four flights of marble stairs. Dad hollered at Grandpa as if he were a child. Drinking was and is a family-destroying habit. I felt horrible for Grandpa.


My Sister was contacted by Florence's son, John, from her 2nd marriage to Johan Dagfin Lindland Hansen, who was born on 3 September 1977 in Brooklyn, New York, and found out why Florence left, and how the children were split up to save them from going to orphanages. The two oldest boys stayed with Grandpa, while everyone else stayed with family members from Canada. One son went to an orphanage, and another son was mentally incapacitated, and he was in a hospital until he turned eighteen. Then he has lived in a personal care home since. Alcoholism is hard on everyone in the family, not just the person who is drinking, but even the baby in the family.


Florence died on 16 October 1995, in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 72

I Found My Mom in the 1950 Census

The 1950 US Census was released on 1 April 2022. Thank you to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)[1] for making this census available and for the ability to search the census. This was made possible through optical character recognition (OCR) and artificial intelligence. So when you use the search function, it may not be accurate until humans (like me) review the names. I have been volunteering by way of reviewing names for a couple of days. Tonight I just finished sixty families in Florida. 

 

However, I also have been researching the 1950 Census[2] in the State of New York. I was able to find my mother at the age of two in the household with her father Jacob S. Reuter and Lena Mae, and her baby brother Stephan.[3] From what my grandmother Lena Mae told me, my grandfather’s brother’s also used to live in the same apartment building. So I will continue my search for them later. But right now I am enjoying seeing my family on the 1950 census. 

[1] "National Archives." Archives (https://www.archives.gov/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2022).

[2] "Welcome to the Official 1950 Census Website." 1950census (https://1950census.archives.gov/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2022).

[3] 1950 United States Federal Census, Kings, New York, online images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHN-LQHW-MSWP-1: accessed 2 April 2022) entry for Jacob S. Reuter, Image 2 of 26, Sheet 1, ED 24-1349, Line 13-16, United States. Bureau of the Census. Family History Film # 108838673.

Decisions...Decisions...Decisions...

     

     Recently in a class that I am enrolled in at BYU-Idaho.  I had to choose the name of my business. Though I know that this is a life-changer, a dream, though hearing from people "it's just an assignment, it doesn't have to be real."  Well, this is as real as it gets, for me!  I am finally pursuing a life long dream. To take the writings of a young 9-year-old child (me) and throughout my life, family members that were born or died, and where they lived, entering them in the "Book of the dead." Finally, those ancestor's stories, and dates of birth and death, are coming to life. 

     In the Family History and Genealogy Department at BYU- Idaho I have had several opportunities to share the research that I have been doing through the years. Some of the terminologies were foreign to me, for instance, the Genealogical Proof Standard which is:

• Reasonably exhaustive research.
• Complete and accurate source citations.
• Thorough analysis and correlation.
• Resolution of conflicting evidence.
• Soundly written conclusion based on the strongest evidence.

My first teacher, Profesor Micheal McCormick sent this flowchart [1] to all his students in their first year of Family History. His class was "Introduction to Family History Part One: Record Group." Which is the introductory class and was a class level of 110. 

Now it is labeled at a 200 class, which classes are rated in their difficultly by the class level. 

• 100 class levels are beginner courses and the caseload is not too crazy. However, they are worth 3 credits.
• 200 class levels are intermediate courses. The caseload gets heavier. Still worth 3 credits. 
• 300 class levels are courses of advanced college-level difficulty taken by majors and upper-division students. The caseload is heavy reading, projects, and papers due twice a week, and timed tests at the end of each week. 

This winter semester 2021, I am looking forward to two additional classes offered at BYU-Idaho.[2]

• Genealogical research in the British Isles Specialized Course 1: B.I. Part 1- 
  This course focuses on how to conduct genealogical research in the British Isles. Through case studies and assignments, students will learn about records, including their geographical-historical background and principles of paleography. They will learn methods for the reconstruction of individual families and understand the development of demographic and family history studies. Students will learn key record types for the area and how to use them to find genealogical information. Students will produce a research report on how they solved an area-specific research problem.
  

• Genealogical research in the U. S. Regions Specialized Course2: US Research 2-
  This course focuses on how to conduct genealogical research in the U. S. Regions. Through case studies and assignments, students will learn about records, including their geographical-historical background and principles of paleography. They will learn methods for the reconstruction of individual families and understand the development of demographic and family history studies. Students will learn key record types for the area and how to use them to find genealogical information. Students will produce a research report on how they solved an area-specific research problem.
  

Then for the spring quarter, in 2021. I am going to take my Capstone class, which is level 399. The 399 courses are numbered and designed for juniors and seniors!

Capstone: Professional Research -  in this course, students will apply the skills they have gained in the Family History Applied Associates Degree program as they learn about earning professional genealogical credentials. Students will practice evidentiary analysis and writing skills. Students will learn about real-world genealogical environments. Students will gain experience in completing research projects for clients. They will choose a client (fellow student, family member, or friend) and conduct research. They will prepare a well-organized client report and then submit my portfolio to the board, and become a BCG certified genealogist! [3] 

I only have three more classes remaining!  Then I will graduate, finally!!! 

[1] "How to Conduct Sound Genealogical Research - a Process Flowchart". Genealogy Explained, n.d., https://www.genealogyexplained.com/basics/genealogical-proof-standard/. Accessed 15 November 2020.
[2] "Class Schedule - Public Course Search | BYU-Idaho's Personalized Access". n.d., https://my.byui.edu/ics/class_schedule/. Accessed 15 November 2020.
[3] Jrussell. "Welcome". Board for Certification of Genealogists, n.d., n.d., https://bcgcertification.org/. Accessed 15 November 2020.