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[Andy]

I've just started researching for a client called Gallagher. Both his Father's parents were Gallaghers, all four paternal Great Grandparents - GALLAGHER and all but one of 8 paternal G-G Grandparents Gallagher.

To compound the issue, his mother was supposed to be Welsh but was actually born in Scotland, her, Welsh father James Kane was actually Irish and his mother's name? YUP! Gallagher!!!!! AND BOTH HER PARENTS. The ACTUAL Welsh side, her mother's maternal lines, I'm doing quite well on and that surname is Jones!!!!!!!! With more Joneses!!!!!

At present I've got a Five generation tree with only four surnames - that's a record for me!

[SarahND]

Andy,
That's a record for sure! Any signs of inbreeding? Are all of these Gallaghers unrelated to each other or does the tree just bunch at the top instead of branching out?

You have my sympathy,
Sarah

[Alan SHARP]

Greetings Andy,

And here is me thinking that we have too many “cousins” marrying, within our roots, back in Scotland.

Did they practice patronymic naming, with a small pool of Christian names as well?

With only a few cases, of a second Christian name?

Alan SHARP.

[Andy]

Not a sign of ANY close Gallagher cousins marrying.

Until 1915 (I think) Catholic fourth cousins were forbidden to marry (of course some slipped through the net). My Grandfather continued this until the 1970's when I was bringing home girlfriends. He'd hear their surname and warn me off that I couldn't date a cousin. Well, I had 28 first cousins and knew HEAPS of second cousins. However, when I started digging deeper my Granda was 100% right with the relationships of, increasingly, short term girlfriends - If I'd paid more attention I could have saved a small fortune.

I used to visit a couple of my Granda's "cousins" with him in the early 1960's. I have these McCurdy lines back to the late 1700's, despite my, and the McCurdy Gurus, J.A.I. and Shane we can't see any proven connection. My Granda was adamant that they were cousins and, on a spotless record, I tend to believe him.

If we could find any proof, McCurdy's from Carnmoon in North East Antrim moved to Rathlin Island and were probably related. This would clear up a LOT of puzzles.

Indeed, although my Family Tree is spattered with "Germaine" cousin marriages (on mainland Scotland), it was virtually unknown on Rathlin Island. Until the 20th century, about 1911, I've not found any 3rd cousins marrying!!!

That's from a population of under 500 from 1861. So, on Rathlin at least, the myth of inbreeding on small islands seems to be dispelled!

[Alan SHARP]

Greetings again.

Why I asked about the Gallagher's relationships, was ever since I read the 1799 Statistical Accounts, and in particular the Carmunnock Parish Account, contributed by the Rev. Mr Adam FORMAN, I have been struck by how well it sums up our lot. Especially so, when I stumble on yet another close connection.

At the bottom of page 173, and the top of 174, there are several paragraphs, sub-headed Manners Etc. There in, he concludes that there were but some 15, mainly servants from "out side" who were not related within, the Carmunnock Parish of some 500 souls.

He concludes, "It is the more remarkable, that in the vicinity of a large, and populous city, this Parish should remain, like the Hebrews of old, as a distinct people, and preclude, as it were, the whole world from their alliance."

Our closely related unions involved family raised at Carnummock, Cathcart, and West thereof, into Paisley and down to Eaglesham. But the tradition stayed into the following New Zealand generations.

Alan SHARP.

[Andy]

Hi Alan,

Way before Watson and Crick I'm positive that Highland, Island and even remote Islands had more than an inkling about Genetics.

The North East coast of Antrim had (and has) the Lamaas Fair since the 17th Century. It was a sort of Irish Sea and Land Olympics with rowers, sailors, swimmers and runners vying for prizes.

However, human stock was negotiated! Strapping lads from the Glens were brought across to Rathlin as farm servants - even to help the poorest families and usually to "Take-Up" with one of the local girls. Females were also brought across for the same purpose, but only if they had "Clicked" with one of the Male winners at the Fair.

To The Winner The Toils!!!!!

[Alan SHARP]

When there is a will, there is a way ! Alan SHARP.