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

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.

Higbee Hotel Dodgeville WI – John Starry – 1905

This three-story hotel, which has conducted business as such since 1849, features a rectangular-shaped plan configuration, a cut stone foundation, a combination brick and concrete block exterior and a flat roof. In the early twentieth century the hotel was owned by John Starry, charus phillips (1909-1916)

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.

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)

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)

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.

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.

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.

Alcohol Issues

We are Irish, what else can we say? Over the years many have fallen into the Alcohol pit. Some crawled their way out, some did not.

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

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.

5 Gavigan’s go off to War

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.

Wagon Accident

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

5 Mabbott’s Fight in the Civil War

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

Timeline

Search this web site

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

Anna HESSMAN	25 SEP
Johanna Susanna JANECK	25 SEP
Josephine MULLEN	25 SEP
Fred Conroy BILLS	25 SEP
Phillip Dale GAVIGAN	26 SEP
Connie Jean STANLEY	26 SEP
Thomas Fitz-Christopher PLUNKETT	27 SEP
George Gardiner DODGE	27 SEP
Margaret Agnes MCDERMOTT	27 SEP
Hester Elda YEAROUS	27 SEP
Ida Rose MEYER	27 SEP
Betty Mae BUYATT	27 SEP

Upcoming Anniversaries

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
Martin Vincent CROWLEY and Loreto Marie WAGNER	28 SEP
Thomas Sam GAROFOLO and Betty Jean HOMMERSTAD	30 SEP
Harry Dennis HAYES and Mary Agnes MCGILLIGAN	10 OCT
Milan Leroy HOLTON and Ruth Annette DORAN	13 OCT

In Memoriam

Baby MCDERMOTT	25 SEP 1901
Hanora FLANAGAN	25 SEP 1943
Josephine MULLEN	25 SEP 1965
William Julius DERLETH	25 SEP 1965
Frank Willard MCDERMOTT	25 SEP 1982
Austin John MCDERMOTT	25 SEP 1991
Thomas Sam GAROFOLO	25 SEP 2007
Mary Jane FARMER	25 SEP 2018
Hannah Eliza WARREN	26 SEP 1898
Peter J DOCHNAHL	26 SEP 1933
Harley SCHWARTZ	26 SEP 1970
A. Henry KUBLY	26 SEP 1992
William Branford FLANDERS	27 SEP 1882
Nancy Ann GIBBONS	27 SEP 1885
Patrick Michael GAVIGAN	27 SEP 1898

Baby MCDERMOTT

Birth: 20 SEP 1901
Death: 25 SEP 1901

Hanora FLANAGAN

Birth: 15 JAN 1860
Death: 25 SEP 1943

Josephine MULLEN

Birth: 25 SEP 1894
Death: 25 SEP 1965

William Julius DERLETH

Birth: 11 MAR 1883
Death: 25 SEP 1965

Frank Willard MCDERMOTT

Birth: 27 APR 1909
Death: 25 SEP 1982

Austin John MCDERMOTT

Birth: 23 APR 1921
Death: 25 SEP 1991

Thomas Sam GAROFOLO

Birth: 09 AUG 1926
Death: 25 SEP 2007

Mary Jane FARMER

Birth: 18 APR 1934
Death: 25 SEP 2018

Hannah Eliza WARREN

Birth: 31 AUG 1857
Death: 26 SEP 1898

Peter J DOCHNAHL

Birth: 15 JUL 1857
Death: 26 SEP 1933

Information about the name Gavigan (Mostly Wisconsin)