Objective:

Was Gladys Katherine Bucher born on 5 Nov 1918 in Montpelier, Bear Lake, Idaho to Ferdinand Frederick Bucher and Katherine Short formally adopted by William Frederick Teuscher and Emma Bucher following the death of Katherine Short on 5 Nov 1918 in Montpelier, Bear Lake, Idaho?

Background Information: 

Information provided by family tradition story, told by her daughter Beverly Jean <Schwab> Hinkson.

• Gladys was born on 5 Nov 1918, Montpelier, Bear Lake, Idaho to Ferdinand Frederick Bucher & Katherine Short.[1]
• Katherine Short (Gladys’ mother) died on 19 Nov 1918.
• Following Katherine’s death Ferdinand gave his sister Emma <Bucher> Teuscher the care of Gladys. Family states that William and Emma Teuscher adopted Gladys, no one is sure if it was a formal or informal adoption.

Research Results:  

Contacted the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, to obtain a record of Gladys’ adoption. During a phone conversation with Ryan (surname withheld) of the Legal Amendment Division, he stated that Idaho was a closed adoption state.[2]  This means that all adoptions are sealed, so it was not possible to determine if the adoption was formal or not. Further explanation of Gladys’ situation and period to Ryan provided an answer to the adoption question. He explained that at that time in history, when a family placed a child with a family member it was a type of informal adoption, more like a guardianship. The new family would raise this new child as their own, and the child usually took the surname. Additionally, he stated that if a formal adoption is done all references to the birth parents are removed and the adopting parents’ information is put in place.

Following the phone conversation, a search of the 1920 and 1930 United States census, along with a search for Gladys Katherine Bucher and Katherine Short’s death certificates.

Katherine Short’s death certificate stated that her birthplace was England[3], and her parents were both born in England. The informant for Katherine’s death certificate was her husband, Ferdinand Bucher, who would know the birthplace of his wife.

Gladys Katherine Bucher’s death certificate provided the name and birthplace of her mother. The informant, Gladys’ husband, would know the name and birthplace of Gladys’ mother.[4] The death certificate revealed Gladys’ mother was Catherine Short*, born in London, England.

The two death certificates provided matching information for Katherine Short’s birthplace. There is one difference between the names on the death certificates, the spelling of Katherine’s name. On Gladys’ death certificate the spelling is Catherine, and on Katherine’s death certificate the spelling is Kathryne. The difference can be explained away as spelling variants.

The search of the censuses established a relationship between Gladys and Emma Teuscher. According to the conversation with Ryan at the Idaho Department of Health, if a formal adoption took place the birthplace of Gladys’ mother will be the same as Emma’s birthplace, which is Switzerland. If guardianship took place, the birthplace of Gladys’ mother will be England.[5]

Gladys was counted twice in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census in two different households. The first time Gladys is found in a 1920 Census, the enumeration date for this census is 7th and 8th January 1920.[6] The head of household was recorded as Ferdinand Bucher. One of the daughter’s names is recorded as Katherine, which is Gladys’ middle name. Katherine’s mother’s birthplace is recorded as England. The second time Gladys was recorded in the 1920 U.S. Census was enumerated on 9th January 1920.[7] The head of household is Ferdinand Teuscher. Emma’s relationship to the head of household is wife; therefore, Gladys’ relationship to Emma would be daughter. The birthplace for Gladys’ mother is recorded as England.

In the 1930 U.S. Census, Gladys was recorded as an adopted daughter, with William Teuscher as head of household.[8] The census shows Gladys’ relationship to head of household is adopted daughter. Emma’s relationship to the head of household is wife; therefore, Gladys’ relationship to Emma would be daughter. The birthplace for Gladys’ mother is recorded as England.

Conclusion: 

Researching the adoption of Gladys Bucher by William and Emma Teuscher has not provided the necessary documents to prove there was a formal adoption. The mother’s birthplace information disclosed in the death certificates and censuses provided the indirect evidence necessary to alleged that William and Emma Teuscher did not formally adopt Gladys. The evidence revealed that Gladys was placed in a guardianship with William and Emma Teuscher. The information provided by Ryan at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, supports the conclusion of a guardianship. Until original court records declare a formal adoption took place, the guardianship relationship will stand.

[1] Personal knowledge of Beverly Jean <Schwab> Hinkson, [605 Broadway #151 Longview, Washington], Hinkson, the daughter of Gladys Katherine Bucher.

[2] Ryan (surname withheld) (Boise, Idaho), interview by Brian Welhoelter, 20 June 2022, transcript privately held by interviewer, Wenatchee, WA, 2022.

[3] Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Death Certificate 24320 (1918), Kathryne Bucher; State Bureau of Vital Statistics, Bosie; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 20 June 2022); citing Idaho. Department of Health and Welfare. Death Index and Images, 1911–1967.

[4] Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Death Certificate 139300 (1944), Gladys Katherine Carlton; State Bureau of Vital Statistics, Bosie; digital image Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 20 June2022); citing Idaho. Department of Health and Welfare. Death Index and Images, 1911–1967.

[5] Ryan (surname withheld) interview by Brian Welhoelter, 20 June 2022.

[6] 1920 U.S. Census, Bear Lake County, Idaho, population schedule, West Montpelier Precinct, p. 3B, dwelling 48, family 60, Katherine Bucher; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 20 June 2022); citing NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls.

[7] 1920 U.S. Census, Bear Lake County, Idaho, population schedule, East Montpelier Precinct, p. 6B, dwelling 97, family 104, Gladys Teuscher; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 20 June 2022); citing NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls.

[8] 1930 U.S. Census, Jerome County, Idaho, population schedule, Hazelton Precinct 7, p. 7B, dwelling 135, family 137, Gladys Teuscher; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 1 Sep 2019); citing National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.T625, 2076 rolls.