SIGN THE GUESTBOOK - DORGAN FAMILY

81 entries.

Valerie Hartnett from Decatur wrote on July 12, 2021 at 8:24 pm

Thank you so much for having this wonderful website. Hope you are doing great! I am in Decatur , AL but will be moving to Franklin, Tn. I think you mentioned that some info. came from AZ.. for the life of me I can't find that info. I think one of Bill's relatives lived in AZ-retired there. Thank you for sharing your wonderful research. Bill and I went to Ireland twice and loved it each time. The first time was in 1984 and it was a very simple inexpensive tour. The last time was in 2014. We toured up to Giant causeway, than spent time in County Cork. We stayed in Youghal. We think we found one of Bill's distant relatives. Bill's family lived around County Cork. Bill's second great grandparents married 14 Feb 1841 at St Mary's in Ladysbridge. Bill's second great grandmother was baptized at 26 Feb 1815 at Mitchelstown, Co Cork. We did go to the potter, Stephen Pearce. His pottery is all hand made and hand decorated and follows a 250 year old tradition of handcrafted pottery in East Cork. Again thank you for sharing. Would love to go again. My 3rd great grandmother, Sarah Carey, born 1830 and died in New Orleans in 1923. She was from County cork. Don' think I will find her info-her father's name was William. It is said that he made boots for the British-so he was a cobbler. He was born about 1799 in County Cork. I do love genealgy. Hope you are doing great.. Chat later. Oh, I hope this makes sense. Little stressed thinking about moving etc. Valerie H Valerie H.

Admin Reply:

Hi Valerie! Sorry for the late reply. So good to hear from you and that you and Bill are well and thriving! Hope your move to TN is easy. You almost move as often as I do! I am now in Charleston SC and love it here. I envy your trips to Ireland and especially Co. Cork. Bill's relatives are from the same area as mine in East County Cork. Some of mine were also married in Ladysbridge. They were all centered around Cloyne, Churchtown South, Ballycotton, and Garryvoe. I still do genealogy and love it too. The excitement of finding someone new makes me very happy. Please stay in touch. Good luck with the move! Bill Dorgan

Michael Cronin from Carrignavar, County Cork, Ireland wrote on June 14, 2021 at 11:11 am

Hi, My mother is Dorgan and is from Carrignavar. I am trying to do a family tree and I have traced back to a Denis Dorgan born abt 1780 but I have no info on him or his relations. I know of a book by Jane Dorgan which might be of some help but I do not believe there is an online copy. Would you know of any resources for Dorgans of Carrignavar or how to get that book? Thank You Michael Cronin

Seamus Daly from Cloyne Co Cork wrote on March 15, 2021 at 11:42 pm

I had a an Aunt married to a Jim Dorgan. A few of his sons are still living around Ireland. You probably know me as Jim or James. Living in Vancouver across the river from Portland. This is an incredible web site. I went to school in Cloyne with Bill Sisk. Grew up with the family. everyone knew everyone else in a small place. Id like to talk to you sometime. Are you related to Colm Dorgan. Seamus

Admin Reply:

Hi Seamus: I responded to your email earlier today. I know of the family of your Aunt married to Jim Dorgan. I believe these Dorgan's are from Sheanliss, Cloyne. I met Martin Godfrey in 2005 at Magrath's Pub in Ballycotton. His mother was the daughter of Jim Dorgan. I am related to Colm Dorgan. We are cousins and have the same GG Grandparents: Patrick Dorgan and Ann Flynn. Hope to talk with you soon. Bill Dorgan

Joan Dorgan Watling from Brentwood, CA wrote on March 10, 2021 at 4:12 pm

Thank you, Bill, for all your work on this site and for the information on Mary Jane Dorgan's book of our Dorgan genealogy. My sisters and I are going to plan a trip to New York and will make it a point to get to the public library there. We hope to get to Cork next year, as well. Be well!

Joan Dorgan Watling from Brentwood, California 94513 wrote on August 18, 2020 at 6:29 pm

Hi, There are so many interesting commentaries here. I'm researching my Dorgan ancestry and am fairly certain my great, great, grandfather Tim Dorgan, was born in about 1795, possibly in Carrignavar. His father might have been Andrew. He married Abbie Smith. They immigrated to the U.S. to Taunton, Massachusetts in Feb, 1848 where he and a daughter, Hannah, passed away within a month of each other in March and April of 1848. I'd appreciate any assistance and direction where I should go from here. Thank you!

Admin Reply:

Joan: These are not my DORGANS, but I am familiar with them. There is an entire genealogy of your DORGANS by Jane Dorgan. I knew her but she is now deceased. The only extant copy of her self-published book is at the NYC Library:

Good luck Bill Dorgan

Ana Laura Dorgans Papp from Wharton, NJ, USA wrote on August 11, 2020 at 9:11 am

Hi, this is all interesting information! I haven't gotten thru all of it yet, but I plan on it. I have been trying to build my family tree on my father's side, but I can't get very far. According to my father Julio Cesar Dorgans (who passed in 2015), his father Alfredo Dorgans emigrated to Uruguay via ship although I'm not sure what year he arrived. He said that my grandfather's real name was D'Organs but when he got off the ship and registered they didn't add the apostrophe and it ended up being Dorgans. My father always said his father was Basque France and a few other European countries which escapes me. I have not been able to track down any information of this birth other than he was born on January 11, 1904. Married my Uruguayan grandmother Ambrosia Concepcion Segovia in 1925 in Uruguay and they had 9 children together. Might you have any resources I could look into? Much appreciated! Ana

Admin Reply:

Hello Ana: Thank you for your post. I am sorry to tell you that the surname DORGANS is not related to the Irish surname DORGAN. DORGANS is a French/Basque or Spanish/Basque surname. So, your father is correct to identify DORGANS as Basque. But he is not right about the Basque-France region. His surname is from the Basque-Spain region. People often ask: Is Basque Country French or Spanish? The Basque Country (Basque: Euskal Herria; Spanish: País Vasco; French: Pays basque) is the name given to the home of the Basque people. The Basque country is located in the western Pyrenees, straddling the border between France and Spain on the coast of the Bay of Biscay. Have you been able to determine from what city/country your grandfather, Alfred Dorgans emigrated? Have you got any of his personal papers: birth, marriage, death records? These records will give you more insight into his background. There are many resources for you to use. Start here: https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Finding_Your_Basque_Ancestors You may also want to contact this man who shares your last name DORGANS: https://www.hugheshubbard.com/attorneys/olivier-dorgans Good Luck, Bill Dorgan

KevinDonald Tench from Mandurah Western Australia wrote on May 8, 2020 at 2:46 am

John Hartnett born 1826 Waterford area was my great grandfather Mary Bridget Hartnett 1893/1965 born Lismore /Waterford area was my grandma My mom was Bridget Mary Cody 1921/2001 Looking for Hartnett relations in theCork/Waterford area other families linked are O’Leary O’Neill Phelan Browne Sullivan Doherty Bible Willbond

Julie Cashman from New Hampshire, USA wrote on October 27, 2019 at 11:29 am

I have finally traced our Cashman family from Troy, New York (1854) to Glounthaune & Lackenroe, Cork as far back as 1825. It appears our family may have burials in Dangandonovan Cemetery in E. Cork however I can't find it's location. Does anyone know where it is? And perhaps other cemeteries in the immediate area? I've been told we are related to the infamous Nellie Cashman of the wild west!

Admin Reply:

Hello Julie: Dangandonovan Cemetery is located in the diocese of Cloyne, near Midleton, East County Cork. I have found 6 of your Cashman ancestors buried there. Follow this link:

You may also find this link helpful:

Bill Dorgan

Karen Audet from Rochester wrote on July 20, 2019 at 11:36 pm

Hi, I am researching my family. The family name was Mansfield and I have baptism records from 1810 thru 1823 for 5 children who were born to James Mansfield and Mary Daly who were married on 8/13/1807 in Parish Cloyne. The address on the baptism record states Ballyrussell, Cloyne. I know it was at a Roman Catholic church but have no idea which one. I was told there were 4 churches: St. Coleman's Parish Church (built 1815), St. Colmcille, Churchtown South (early 1800s?) Church of the Immaculate Conception Shanagarry (1814) and Star of the Sea (1901). Is there a way to pinpoint which church it was? Thank you.

Admin Reply:

Write or call St. Colman's Parish: http://cloynediocese.ie/parish-cloyne/ All the records are kept there. St. Colman is the Main Parish Church. All the others are satellite churches. Good luck and thanks for stopping by my website. Bill Dorgan

James Quinn Dorgan Jr. MD from Upper Arlington / Columbus 43221 wrote on June 4, 2019 at 10:01 pm

O'Deargains came to Columbus Ohio in about 1848 and still live there for thhe most part. Family Bible points out County Tipperary as original home and vicinity of Cashel by the Golden Vale as being associated.Family name changed to Dorgan post arrival in Fall River,Mass.in 1848 / 9. Great grandfather married Johannah Power in Clonmel prior to immigration...several brothers also made crossing from Eire in 1848/9 but went West to California inGold Rush and were not heard from again....G'father Wm Dorgan married Eliz. Quinn from Waterford in 1885.... Best regards to all // Keep The Faith !

Admin Reply:

Jim: Thanks for your comments. Sorry for the slow reply! Your Dorgans are another branch (Tipperary or perhaps Carrignavar). Do you have a family website or can you send me a link to these Dorgans? I would like to investigate a possible connection. Thanks, Bill Dorgan

Jameson Dargen from Fargo wrote on March 9, 2019 at 4:21 pm

Happy to learn more of where I come from, Dennis and Marie Dargen were my grandparents!

Admin Reply:

Hello Jameson! Thanks for stopping by the DORGAN website. Many different spellings of our name: Dorgan, Dorgen, Dargan, etc.

Kevin Howley from Chicago wrote on February 14, 2019 at 7:42 pm

Just want to say hello. My grandfather, Michael Dorgan was born in Castlegregory in 1874. Migrated to Chicago in 1900 and married my grandmother, Katherine O'Donnell who was also from Kerry. Raised a large family and never returned to Ireland. Regards, Kevin Howley

Thomas Malandris from Fort Worth wrote on February 8, 2019 at 10:00 pm

Hello all I came across this site while doing some searches on my family. Nice to see so much info. My grandmother wash Helen L Monahan (Dorgan) and my mother was Lynne A Monahan. I will do try to see if i can contact some through social media.

Tom DORGAN from Tucson wrote on December 30, 2018 at 12:24 am

Just stopped by to say hello. It's been a while. My hope is for your best.

Admin Reply:

Thanks for stopping by. Is this Tom Dorgan from Tucson? Happy New Year!

Patrick O'Neill from Katonah wrote on December 7, 2018 at 6:06 pm

Hello Bill, I have enjoyed perusing your sight and have learned alot, but I have not been able to find one of my ancestors and I hoping that you might be able to help. One of my maternal 2G grandmothers was Hannah Dorgan (b.Cork abt. 1847, d.NYC 1892), who married Edward Barrett in 1869. Their marriage record states that they were married in the RC chapel of New Glanmire in Carrignavar North. She was said to be a servant and living in what looks to be "Ballinsohig" but I cannot find that placename. It lists her father as William with profession farmer. They had a son James in Cork in 1869 and daughter Elizabeth (my great grandmother) in NYC in 1872, so they came to NY somewhere in between. I have researched in all of the usual places and cannot find documentation on either Edward or Hannah prior to their marriage, but I thought you might have come across Hannah and her father William in your research. I would appreciate any information you could pass along. Regards, Patrick O'Neill

Admin Reply:

This is the town you want: Ballincollig. It's in West County Cork. A lot of Dorgans there and surrounding areas, especially Carrignaver. These are not my Dorgans but I know of them. Do a Google search of Ballincollig and Carrignaver. Bill Dorgan

Kathy Paul Dolan from Nashua, NH wrote on October 16, 2018 at 8:53 pm

Bill, My name is Kathy Paul Dolan. My father was Alphonse J Paul from Maynard Ma. His parents were Catherine O’Brien and James Paul both originally from Newfoundland. I'm not a Dorgan, but we are cousins and I know we met a long, long time ago! Although I was young I remember meeting my RI great aunts and uncles at my grandparents home as well as visiting in RI. I have been interested in finding out more about my dad's side of the family but just haven’t had the time. But the other night I had dinner with my cousin Gerry Paul, whose father is Raymond, my dad's twin. His children were asking me about the Paul side of the family. I had some info on my great grandparents and with the wonders of the internet I came across your site and several posting that you and perhaps your dad made back in the early 2000's. Interestingly enough your name came up during our conversation the other night. If you taught in Tucson AZ then you know Gerry. I can’t wait to read through all the info that you've posted as well as use the links to research my mom's side. My mom passed away last year and we're still going through things including pictures. There are a few pictures of my grandparents and great grandparents. Regards, Kathy

Matthew Monahan from Henderson wrote on September 24, 2018 at 11:08 pm

I absolutely love spending time here. I use this as my primary resource in teaching my children about their family’s history. Thank you for all the hard work and dedication Bill!

Admin Reply:

Hi Matthew! Thanks for the kind comments. It is a shame our families drifted apart over the years. But the magic of computers brings us back together. Say hello to your Dad, my first cousin, Tommy. I would be glad to help with family history. Do keep in contact. Bill Dorgan

Jim Hanley from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia wrote on September 10, 2018 at 11:37 pm

My father’s mother’s parents were Daniel Dorgan and Honora Ahearn. Daniel was born at Castlemartyr around 1851, the son of Michael Dorgan, a carpenter and Honora Donovan. Honora Ahearn also from Castlemartyr was the daughter of John Ahearn, a farmer and Kate Lynch. Daniel came to Australia around 1872, and Honora in 1877. Within a week of Honora arriving in Brisbane they were married in the Roman Catholic Presbytery in Toowoomba. They had seven daughters, my grandmother, Mary Ann Dorgan being the third. Daniel died in 1906 and Honora in 1938. I would be interested to know if any of their relatives still live around Castlemartyr. Many thanks.

Admin Reply:

Hi Jim: Thanks for visiting my DORGAN website. I am just finding out about the DORGAN ancestors who left Ireland, especially during the Famine. Do you have any information about your AHEARNs? I am interested in Elizabeth Ahearn who married David Dorgan. I believe her father is William Ahearn. There are only three Ahearn and one Ahearne listed on the 1855 Griffitihs Valuation of East Cork: Johanna Ahearn (Shanagarry, Kilmahon, East Cork) John Ahearn (Ballybraher, Kilmahon, East Cork) and John Ahearn (Monagurra, Kilmahon, East Cork). Finally there is James Ahearne (Shanagarry, Kilmahon, East Cork). I believe that John Ahearn of Ballybraher was the father of Elizabeth Ahearne for this reason: The marriage between Elizabeth Ahearne and David Dorgan may have been arranged since their parents were farmers with adjoining properties, the Dorgan property in Carrigkilter and the Ahearne property in Ballybraher. When Elizabeth Ahearne and David Dorgan did not have their own children they brought to their farm Margaret Grahame, the niece of Elizabeth Ahearne, and John Healy, the nephew of David Dorgan. The marriage of Margaret Grahame and John Healy was also arranged and they were married before they went to live with Elizabeth Ahearne and David Dorgan. These arrranged marriages kept the properties of Carrigkilter and Ballybraher in the family until the present day. Ironically, none of the five children of Elizabeth Ahearne and John Healy married and none had children. The ancestral Dorgan property at Carrigkilter has been sold twice, only the ancestral Ahearne property at Ballybraher remains which has extensive land holdngs. There are 104 “Ahearne” in all of County Cork listed on Griffith’s Valuation. There are 50 “Ahearn” in all of County Cork listed on Griffith’s Valuation. In the meantime I am always updating the DORGAN website: www.dorgan-family.com Please stay in touch

Gregory Michael Dorgan from Great Mills, MD wrote on July 15, 2018 at 1:34 pm

First time to the site, it's fantastic! Thank you for your hard work pulling the Dorgan legacy together. Gregg

Admin Reply:

Hi Greg: Sorry I missed your post. Always glad to hear from any DORGAN! Do you have a family website you can point me to or can you tell me a little about your DORGANs? Perhaps we share a connection. Thanks for a response. Bill Dorgan dorgan-family.com

Christian Galvez Troccoli Dorgans from Miami wrote on February 1, 2018 at 10:35 pm

Amazed and so thankful for this intriguing information. My grandmother on my mother's side is surnamed Dorgans. As far as she knows, the Dorgans were from the Basque region of France, approximately early 20th century, prior to WW2. After that, they emigrated to Uruguay in South America. Prior to living in France, could my relatives have lived in Ireland, of the same Dorgan family you describe? Was Patrick Dorgan a great, great, great, grandfather of mine? Could the Great Famine have caused a Dorgan to flee to Northern France in search of relief and betterment? Thank you again, would be wonderful to hear from you.

Admin Reply:

Hi Chris! Thanks for the comments. Genealogy is an elusive and fun experience. I've been doing this for over 20 years. I know of your family in France. There are many citations for the Dorgan or Dorgans families. I ran across them a while back while searching my Irish Dorgans from East County Cork. Dorgans is a French last name. Dorgan can be Irish (O'Deargain) or French. Let me point you in the direction of your Dorgans: Search your last known Dorgan or Dorgans relative here:

Good luck! I see you are in Miami. I lived in Fort Lauderdale twice and am now in Clearwater. BTW, great music on YouTube. Bill Dorgan

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DORGAN FAMILY