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

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 ……..

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.

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.

Wagon Accident

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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)

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.

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!

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.

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.

The Railroad

Dodgeville, Wisconsin had multiple railroad lines, including the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, the Illinois Central Railroad, and the Freeport, Dodgeville & Northern Railroad.

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.

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

Alice PFEIFFER	27 OCT
Edward W GAVIGAN	27 OCT
Kathryn GAVIGAN	27 OCT
Dorann SCHAUB	27 OCT
Mary KINNEY	28 OCT
Parker Lee DURKIN	28 OCT
Carol Eliza FELDT	28 OCT
Georgius Adamus RUPP	29 OCT
Matthew H MCDERMOTT	29 OCT
CeCelia COLLENTINE	29 OCT
Frank S PYRE	31 OCT
John Alexander SCHWARTZ	31 OCT

Upcoming Anniversaries

Malcolm “Dutch” MUENICH and Rosella Mary FLANAGAN	29 OCT
Matthew Michael DORAN and Delia Agnes CROWLEY	14 NOV
Patrick H. CROWLEY and Ida M CHALFANT	14 NOV
Francis W GAVIGAN and Louise MEUDT	15 NOV
Edward Thomas MCGILLIGAN and Elizabeth Ann CROWLEY	16 NOV
Thomas Franklin CROWLEY and Catherine Elizabeth RYAN	16 NOV
Roy M CONWAY and Mary Agnes GAVIGAN	16 NOV

In Memoriam

William BASSET	27 OCT 1384
Elizabeth Ann GAVIGAN	27 OCT 1886
Bertha NEVELS	27 OCT 1974
Donald Anthony DOWLING	27 OCT 2009
Maynard Franklin CULVER	28 OCT 1931
David F BELL	29 OCT 1912
Katherine Irene DORAN	29 OCT 1927
Lillie Amanda HALL	29 OCT 1928
Kathryn COLLENTINE	29 OCT 1936
Joseph Adam RUPP	29 OCT 1943
Leo William CROWLEY	29 OCT 1977
Roger Joseph REINHOLD	29 OCT 1990
Geneva Fay TROTTER	3 OCT 1970
Sylvester Daniel CROWLEY	3 OCT 1981
Willard Robert ROWE	3 OCT 1997

William BASSET

Birth: 1337
Death: 27 OCT 1384

Elizabeth Ann GAVIGAN

Birth: 07 SEP 1882
Death: 27 OCT 1886

Bertha NEVELS

Birth: 04 JAN 1901
Death: 27 OCT 1974

Donald Anthony DOWLING

Birth: 16 AUG 1932
Death: 27 OCT 2009

Maynard Franklin CULVER

Birth: 22 JUL 1895
Death: 28 OCT 1931

David F BELL

Birth: 15 SEP 1849
Death: 29 OCT 1912

Katherine Irene DORAN

Birth: 26 JUL 1897
Death: 29 OCT 1927

Lillie Amanda HALL

Birth: OCT 1881
Death: 29 OCT 1928

Kathryn COLLENTINE

Birth: 1884
Death: 29 OCT 1936

Joseph Adam RUPP

Birth: 25 JAN 1874
Death: 29 OCT 1943

Information about the name Gavigan (Mostly Wisconsin)