Welcome to Gavigan.org

This site was created to facilitate the exchange of information and to help people with the last name Gavigan, and other names, learn more about their history, their roots, & who they are related to

The surname Gavigan”and its more common phonetic variant, Gavigan” is an Anglicized form of the ancient Gaelic name Mag Eachagain, meaning “son of Eachagan.” Originating in Ireland, particularly associated with counties like Roscommon and Westmeath, bearers of this historic name eventually crossed the Atlantic during the waves of Irish emigration in the 19th century, seeking new opportunities in the burgeoning American Midwest.

Our Journey begins with the John Gavigan family. The family supposedly immigrated from Ireland Around 1848. The spent some time in New York then by 1850 they were living in New Jersey. John Sr (age 60) sons Timothy H, John, Patrick, and William, and Daughters Mary Catherine, Marcella, Margaret, Jane were ALL born in Ireland. John Gavigan’s wife Margaret O’Brien died BEFORE they immigrated. By 1855 the Gavigans were in Wisconsin.

Anyone listed in the Genealogy pages NOT named Gavigan or McGilligan are related to a Gavigan or a McGilligan by a marriage or an adoption It’s a very Small World!

There are most likely many errors on this site. If you have corrections or additions use the contact form to let us know

Farm Tragedy

A tragic moment in Time regarding the Stevens family happened in 1936 on the farm of Harry and Jennie Stevens in the Skelton Township of Carlton County MN when Harry Eugene (Gene) Stevens accidentally drove over his brother

St. Michael’s Orphanage, La Crosse WI

John (Jack), Beverly, Roy, and Bob all spent time at St Micheals. Bob spent 13 yrs total. He went in at two yrs. Roy told Tim Gavigan in 2024 that John “Jack” Gavigan ran away from the Orphanage. Roy remembers riding in a car with officials to La Crosse.

Hospitality

Gavigan Hotel (Blanchardville WI), John Starry (Higbee Hotel 102 S Iowa St Dodgeville), Edward McGilligan (512 Oak St Arena WI), Doran (512 Oak St), Crowley (512 Oak St), Rupp (Vilas House, Park Hotel), Murphy (Vilas House), John R McGilligan (Lake City Hotel, Lake View Hotel), Trotter, and Williams owned or worked at lodging and/or Dining establishments (Hotels, Resorts, Pool Halls, and Taverns)

Murder in the Hay-field

Mt. Horeb, Wis. –(AP) — Victor R McKay, 38, of Madison, shot and killed Mrs. Ruby Lund Heydon, 25, of Mt. Horeb, and then fatally wounded himself while they sat in a car in a hay-field near here August 17, 1942, a coroner’s jury decided after an inquest yesterday.

Tragedy On Lake Monona

On July 26, 1900, Ellen Jane Rupp “Jennie”, Fannie Dunn, and Nellie Dunn were being rowed back to Madison by Alexius Baas at 11 p.m. when their rowboat was struck by one of the lake steamers, the Tonyawatha, and the four were thrown into the water. Ellen Jane “Jennie” Rupp drowned. “Lex,” the oarsman, saved both of the Dunn sisters.

Kicked on the Head by a Horse

Edward Roarig, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Roarig of Fayette, died April 10th, at Trinity hospital, Milwaukee, where he had been taken for an operation. As was stated in last week’s paper the young man had been working for his uncle, Robert Williams, where he was kicked on the head by a horse.

First Flanders Woman in America

There are many mysteries to be solved in the Flanders family history line, and JANE FLANDERS is one of them!

2 Are Dead, One Missing In Canyon

GRAND CANYON, ARIZ, July 27 AP: The body of a Roman Catholic priest missing in the Grand Canyon since Saturday was found Monday at the base of a 200-foot cliff.

Wagon Accident

Ida May Slawson Stevens died at age 49 when a wagon she was riding in overturned and she was killed.

Distressing Suicide: Madison Woman Drowns Herself in a Well

Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Johanna Janeck, a German woman some 85 years old, wife of Mr. Gustav Janeck, for more than a dozen years employed in Mr. Darwin Clark’s Cabinet and Furniture establishment, and for some time foreman of the shop, went to visit Mrs. Lang, who lives in the first ward, about a block south of Nolden’s Hall, near the edge of the flat north of the depot.

Accident at Lake Fatal

Merle [Merrill] McGilligan, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. T.H. [Thomas & Zula Hall] McGilligan, of Algona, former residents of this city, died yesterday at 6:30 p.m. at the Mercy hospital in Mason City.

California 1982

Spring of 1982 a plan was hatched at Rusty’s Bar in Middleton WI over 20 cent taps by Tim Gavigan and Rick Smith. They decided to drive to California in a van to Visit a hockey mate, Chris Eddy.

Where did the original Statue of Liberty on Lake Mendota end up?

Where did the original Statue of Liberty on Lake Mendota end up? Answer: The Statue of Liberty ended up at the farm of ……..

5 Mabbott’s Fight in the Civil War

Five Mabbott Cousins fought in the Civil War. Two Died and one was dishonorably discharged

Rev. Edward l. Buckner dies after being shot near his home

Rev. Edward L. Buckner, of Zalma, died last Friday morning at the Cape hospital where he had been taken for an operation after being shot

Found Frozen Stiff in a Field

William Gavigan of the township of Adams perished with Monday night’s storm. He was found yesterday afternoon frozen stiff in a field with nothing but his boots protruding from the snow.

Timeline

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Census Records

Today in History

LCprl Jean Pierre Dowling, KIA in Vietnam - USMC

The team moved to 598379 and was going to await the helicopters or until darkness and then move out.

After waiting an hour. the VC opened up on the team again from about 10 feet away. This broke up the team. The initial burst killed LCpl DOWLING. LCpl SOLOVSKOY returned fire and killed two VC
…. Read More here

1983: Madison West Goes 18-2 to Win the State Hockey Championship

Dan Gavigan grandson of Thomas Leo Gavigan was a member of this Team

The only State Hockey Championship in School History!

Grandchildren of Maggie McCue and John Lunda

Kay and Karen Lunda

(Kay) 1972 Winter Olympics – 500 metres in Sapporo, Japan
(Karen) Alternate for the 1976 U.S. team in Innsbruck, Austria

Royal Lineage

Those That served

Upcoming Birthdays

Robert BRASWELL	17 SEP
Elizabeth Ellen BUTLER	17 SEP
Margaret GAVIGAN	17 SEP
Margaret RONDEAU	17 SEP
Thomas Leo MCCUE	17 SEP
Ruth Marie STARRY	17 SEP
Elizabeth JoAnn CUNNINGHAM	17 SEP
Lois M. STAUFFACHER	18 SEP
John W GAVIGAN	18 SEP
Megan E ELLIE	18 SEP
Calista Eliza SAWIN	19 SEP
Daniel DOWNEY	19 SEP

Upcoming Anniversaries

Floyd Winfield WHITT and Loretta Irene DUNN	19 SEP
Karl V. WILLIAMS and Joan M WITTMAN	21 SEP
Edward E MCDERMOTT and Margaret CROWLEY	23 SEP
Eldon L. WILSON and Katherine (Kitty) Lissette MEYER	23 SEP
Edmund Theodore KUBIAK and Mary Elizabeth "Betty" DOCHNAHL	25 SEP
Frank LITTLE and Katherine Irene DORAN	26 SEP
Bryan RANDELL and Heidi Lissette WILSON	26 SEP

In Memoriam

Matthew Michael DORAN	17 SEP 1933
Elmer Ellsworth WHITNEY	17 SEP 1950
Helen Elizabeth DUNN	17 SEP 1991
Paula Jane DOWNEY	17 SEP 2003
Lois M. STAUFFACHER	18 SEP 1917
James CONDON	18 SEP 1917
Luke Francis MCDERMOTT	18 SEP 1941
Jo Ann ESCH	18 SEP 2009
William J CONWAY	19 SEP 2025
Edmond FLEMING	2 SEP 1878
John Levy ETHRIDGE	2 SEP 1911
Anthony Albert RUPP	2 SEP 1915
Thomas Francis BIRMINGHAM	2 SEP 1932
Mary Catherine COLLENTINE	20 SEP 1914
Oscar TSCHABOLD	20 SEP 1972

Matthew Michael DORAN

Birth: 24 JAN 1861
Death: 17 SEP 1933

Elmer Ellsworth WHITNEY

Birth: 26 APR 1861
Death: 17 SEP 1950

Helen Elizabeth DUNN

Birth: 27 MAY 1898
Death: 17 SEP 1991

Paula Jane DOWNEY

Birth: 27 NOV 1925
Death: 17 SEP 2003

Lois M. STAUFFACHER

Birth: 18 SEP 1917
Death: 18 SEP 1917

James CONDON

Birth: 1851
Death: 18 SEP 1917

Luke Francis MCDERMOTT

Birth: 02 AUG 1879
Death: 18 SEP 1941

Jo Ann ESCH

Birth: 22 AUG 1918
Death: 18 SEP 2009

William J CONWAY

Birth: 13 DEC 1936
Death: 19 SEP 2025

Edmond FLEMING

Birth: 1794
Death: 2 SEP 1878

Information about the name Gavigan (Mostly Wisconsin)