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

5 Mabbott’s Fight in the Civil War

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 ……..

Lake City House / Lake View Hotel / John R McGilligan

John R McGilligan 510 E Wilson Street – Lake City Hotel – Lake View Hotel (Germania House Hotel)

5 Gavigan’s go off to War

Hotel Gavigan Blanchardville WI

Thomas Gavigan son of John and Mary (Collentine) Gavigan operated the Gavigan Hotel from 1892- to 1896 at the Corner of Main and Elm in Downtown Blanchardville. Thomas was also on the board of Directors for the Blanchardville Driving Association (racing, training horses)

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.

Suicide By Taking Rat Poison

Monday afternoon about 4 o’clock Mrs. Annie Schwartz, wife of John Schwartz, a farmer residing 4 miles west of this city (darlington), while in an insaine condition. took “Rough on Rats”, from the effects of which she died at 2 o’clock Tuesday Morning.

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.

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.

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

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!

The Democratic Handbook 1898

Published during one of the most racially and politically volatile periods in American history, the Democratic Handbook for 1898 served as a masterclass in propaganda, racial demagoguery, and political strategy.

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

Upcoming Birthdays

Thomas CROWLEY	06 OCT
Camillus J MURPHY	06 OCT
Gus Roemine WILLIAMS	06 OCT
Margaret Elizabeth ALM	06 OCT
Lewis Merchant MANN	07 OCT
Robert Raymond CUMMINGS	07 OCT
John Francis DOYLE	07 OCT
Grace Mae CULVER	08 OCT
George Roger CUNNINGHAM	08 OCT
Lois Ruth SPEICH	08 OCT
Elizabeth J TORGESON	09 OCT
Kathryn Marie RUPP	09 OCT

Upcoming Anniversaries

Harry Dennis HAYES and Mary Agnes MCGILLIGAN	10 OCT
Milan Leroy HOLTON and Ruth Annette DORAN	13 OCT
Lawrence Taylor MCCONNELL and Mary Elizabeth HARRISON	19 OCT
Merchant MANN and Mary B. CHAPIN	20 OCT
Merrill James MCGILLIGAN and Chris HENLEY	20 OCT
Richard KUBLY and Kelly FULTON	22
Thomas FLANAGAN and Bridget C DALY	23 OCT

In Memoriam

Elizabeth DEMPSEY	1 OCT 1898
Randolph Thomas GAVIGAN	1 OCT 1949
Andrew T. KUBIAK	1 OCT 1956
Elizabeth	10 OCT 1871
Catherine CULLEN	10 OCT 1931
Stella Mary CASE	10 OCT 1981
John Howard RUPP	11 OCT 1902
Martha Gunhild PETERSON	11 OCT 1914
Elizabeth KADING	11 OCT 1960
Margaret A STARRY	12 OCT 1987
Sarah BARTLETT	13 OCT 1905
John Henry WOOD	13 OCT 1958
Roy M CONWAY	13 OCT 1972
Raymond Francis KEEGAN	13 OCT 1976
Richard John REINHOLD	13 OCT 2022

Elizabeth DEMPSEY

Birth: 1829
Death: 1 OCT 1898

Randolph Thomas GAVIGAN

Birth: 01 JAN 1949
Death: 1 OCT 1949

Andrew T. KUBIAK

Birth: 11 NOV 1885
Death: 1 OCT 1956

Elizabeth

Birth: Unknown
Death: 10 OCT 1871

Catherine CULLEN

Birth: 07 AUG 1853
Death: 10 OCT 1931

Stella Mary CASE

Birth: 11 FEB 1896
Death: 10 OCT 1981

John Howard RUPP

Birth: 26 JUN 1902
Death: 11 OCT 1902

Martha Gunhild PETERSON

Birth: 08 JUL 1829
Death: 11 OCT 1914

Elizabeth KADING

Birth: 10 SEP 1910
Death: 11 OCT 1960

Margaret A STARRY

Birth: 22 OCT 1885
Death: 12 OCT 1987

Information about the name Gavigan (Mostly Wisconsin)