The Dorgan-Family Guest Book

82 entries.

James Dorgan from Hudson, WI wrote on October 9, 2025 at 6:38 pm

My name is James Michael Dorgan, son of James Emmitt Dorgan, my dad was born March 2nd 1921 in Minneapolis.

Admin Reply:

Hello James. Thanks for your Dad's information. The Minnesota Dorgan clan is another branch of the Dorgan family. Your people come from West County Cork, especially around Carrignavar. I once knew a Bill Dorgan who settled in Tucson, AZ. He is from your people. Thanks.

Austin from Seattle, WA, USA wrote on November 25, 2024 at 5:31 pm

Thank you for creating and maintaining this site. My great grandfather came to the US (Wisconsin) around the 1920s and started a family here, since then we almost all moved westward to Washington state. I'm now a part of the fourth generation here and have learned a lot through this site. Without it, I wouldn't ever have known about my ancestry. Thank you again!

Christopher Dorgan from Liverpool UK wrote on September 25, 2024 at 7:32 pm

Found this website, amazing somebody is trying to figure out our heritage. There is still a great contingent of Dorgan’s based in Liverpool UK. Hope you are all well wherever you based around the world 👍👍

Robert Smith from Punta gorda wrote on August 11, 2024 at 5:02 pm

Hello I sent entry yesterday regarding my father Thomas James Smith His mother was Margaret Josephine Dorgan They lived in providence and Edgewood area I know both her and her husband passed away when they were fairly young My father had one brother and two sisters and they were left to raise each other Bob Smith

Robert Michael Smith wrote on August 10, 2024 at 2:58 pm

Hello My father was Thomas James Smith and his Aunt was Collette Dorgan who lived in Providence ,RI I believe she was born in Taunton , Ma So the Dorgans were related to my father on his mothers side Thanks I just ran across this site Bob H

Admin Reply by: Bill Dorgan

Bob: I emailed you a reply. Bill Dorgan

Tim Forgan from Egremont wrote on July 25, 2024 at 12:04 am

My grandad was from Cork City. He was also a Bill Dorgan, he came from a large family. He moved across to the UK either late 1920s or early 1930s I'd guess.

Admin Reply by: Bill Dorgan

I have a William Garde Dorgan married to Susannah Maria Heffernan who went to England in the 1920s-1930s Is this your guy?Bill Dorgan

Johanna Therese Dorgan from Bridgeport, CT wrote on July 11, 2024 at 3:00 am

Hi William - I was happy to find this article and really enjoyed reading it. I am Johanna Therese Dorgan, grand daughter of Cornelius Dorgan and Bridget Dillon who migrated to New York City from West and North Cork I believe. My grandfather's sister was Hannah. My father was John Dorgan and his brother was Thomas and sister Sally, all born in New York City. I've been to Ireland a few times and visited Killarney, Dublin, Kinsale, Cliffs of Mohr and Cork. I'd love to know more about my ancestry from Ireland.

Admin Reply by: Bill Dorgan

Hi Johanna: I know your DORGAN family. Most of them came from around Carrignavar, North-West County Cork. Mine are from East County Cork. Thanks for the entry. Bill Dorganhttps://www.visionofireland.org/place/27237

Fionn Dorgan from Cork wrote on June 9, 2024 at 7:09 am

I found this very interesting to read and would love to know more about the Celtic heritage of the Ó Deargáin and Ballydorgan.

John Beausang from Cloyne wrote on June 3, 2024 at 5:32 pm

HI. Bill. My name is John Beausang. I believe you are in contact with my brother Stephen who is in North Carolina. I recall reading your tree with the Dorgan , Shinnick and Sullivan connection. One of my friends is Seamus O Brien who sadly lost his daughter Karen a few months ago to Cancer. His mother was Annie Shinnick who married James O Brien.Seamus was enquiring about the Shinnick /Sullivan connection. I seem to recall a brother or sister of my grandmother Jane Sullivan Beausang marrying a Shinnick and emigrating to the US.I know Mike Sullivan emigrated to Iowa but I don't think it was him

Kathryn Cummings from ROCHESTER, Minnesota wrote on March 7, 2024 at 3:31 pm

Greetings from Minnesota. My Dorgan family moved to Wisconsin in about 1851, and homesteaded land in Richland County. Two brothers, Jeremiah and Patrick. Patrick was my great great grandfather. These brothers married sisters, Johanna and Julia Connell. They were able to bring their Dorgan siblings to Wisconsin, Catherine, Johanna, Ellen, Michael, and Margaret. Their parents are Laurence Dorgan and Ellen Healy, married in Donoughmore, Cork, Ireland 15February, 1820. That is the only information I have on the parents. Patrick Dorgan participated in the USA Civil war, was captured, and died on 3 December, 1864, in a prisoner of war camp in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Admin Reply by: Bill Dorgan

Thank you, Kathryn Cummings for signing the Guestbook of www.dorgan-family.com. Your Dorgan family is another branch. All of my Dorgan's come from East County Cork. I believe yours come from West Cork or Northwest Cork. I once taught High School in Tucson, AZ with a Bill Dorgan from MN. Perhaps you know him as a member of your extended family.

Aliya Gough from New York, NY wrote on February 24, 2024 at 4:29 pm

Hi, so glad I stumbled upon this! My grandmother’s maiden name was Dorgan. We believe her Great-Grandfather James L. Dorgan immigrated to America in the Great Hunger and settled in Maine for many generations after, all also marrying into other immigrated Irish families including those of the maiden names Tracy and Googins. My grandmother herself married my Welsh grandfather, Charles Gough (originally Coch/Goch, interestingly also meaning red-haired). Love learning about one’s heritage and history, and this website is wonderful!

Admin Reply by: Bill Dorgan

Thank you, Aliya, for visiting my family website: www.dorgan-family.com. Your Dorgan's are another branch from West Cork. Look for your James L. Dorgan on the passenger list for Castle Garden. It was located in Battery Park, Manhattan, and was the first official immigrant processing center in the United States. It operated from 1855 to 1890. If James came before 1855, he could have landed anywhere. Good luck.

Stephen Francis Spencer from Valencia wrote on November 17, 2023 at 10:55 pm

Adding to my post...Her father's name was William Jeremiah Dorgan.

Admin Reply by: Bill Dorgan

Stephen: Your Irish Dorgan are from around Carrignavar, North/West County Cork. Bill Dorgan

Stephen Spencer from Valencia, California USA wrote on November 15, 2023 at 9:48 pm

Hi, My mother’s maiden name was Vivian Dorgan. She was born in Bear Valley, Wisconsin USA in 1920. My wife and I visited Cork in July of this year. It was a great trip.

Admin Reply by: Bill Dorgan

Thanks for the message. I know your Dorgan family. They are from West County Cork. Mine are from East County Cork. Different branches. Bill Dorgan

Joyce Terrana from Whiting, NJ wrote on November 2, 2023 at 1:36 pm

Hi again. We found more info. My Great Grandmother's sister was Julie Ambroise. We have a Mike O'Brien who is Josie O'Brien's son. His wife's name is Judy. Their children are Julia and Joann. My mom met a Mary Hogan whose father was Bat Dorgan who was my Great Grandmother's brother. She met a John Dorgan whose father was also Bat Dorgan. John's wife's name was Nellie. Nellie was from Coolmey Ballyhooly, Co Cork.Ireland. Their children are Pat Dorgan,Bat Dorgan and Eileen Dorgan. Pat has a wife named Mary. Pat and Mary have 3 kids. Alan,Roy and Colin. Eileen married Johnny Fitzgerald. They lived in Ballyhooly, County Cork. Eileen has a daughter in Australia (or did) named Liz. She has 2 other girls. She also had 3 sons. Their names are Bertie,Willie and Tomas.Bat and his wife Mary live in Watergrass Hill, Ireland. Which is 10 miles from Cork. We have a Theresa Joyce who was a cousin somewhere. Sorry if this all confused you. LolJoyce

Admin Reply by: Bill Dorgan

Hi Joyce: Thank you for the two messages. They are somewhat confusing. Smiles. You mention Ballyhooly. That village is in the north of County Cork. All my DORGANs come from East County Cork: https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=675&EID=MBSC&form=BGGCMF&pc=BG02&q=ballyhooly+cork&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=U531Good luck with your research. Bill Dorgan

Joyce Terrana from Whiting, NJ wrote on November 2, 2023 at 12:54 pm

Hello. Just saw your website and wanted to say Hi. My Great Grandmother was Mary Dorgan from Cork. She moved to New York when she was 17. Her father's name was John Dorgan from Cork. Her mother's last name was Murphy. We don't remember her first name. My parents were in Cork in 2001. They met cousins named Josie O'Brian and Tess Amberose e(think spelled wrong). Their mother was Julia Ambrose who was Great Grandmother's sister. . They also met a Pat Dorgan whose father was Bat Dorgan who was my Great Grandmother's brother. My parents also met Sheehan relatives. She can't remember their names though. My mother has a letter written by a Jane Dorgan in New Hampshire who says she put together a 2 page book on the Dorgan family history. She mentions another John Dorgan who was my Great Grandmother's nephew I think. I'm coming over to Ireland in April to celebrate my 50th Birthday which is in February. I'm not going to be in Cork. But I will be in Dublin, Waterford, Kilkenny and Glendalough. I was told Cork was only a few hours away. So any info you can give me on relatives still in Ireland would be appreciated. Maybe they could drive to meet me. I'm going to be on a couch bus tour so won't have a car to drive there. I look forward to hearing from you.Joyce

Mike Kaufmann from Calgary wrote on September 4, 2023 at 1:56 pm

Just discovered your website and had to say hello. My maternal great great grandfather was John Dorgan, born 1816 (or 1819) in Cork. His wife was Mary Delaney. He died in 1898. Their children were Denis, Hannah, Betsy and James, my great grandfather, b. 1844 also in Cork. He moved to Minnesota and began a flourishing line of Dorgans spreading from Minnesota and, through our incredible grandmother Petrine Dorgan, to Pangman (southern Saskatchewan) and from thence to every place you could think of in Canada and the US. Salute to Dorgans where ever you are.

Admin Reply by: Bill Dorgan

Hello! Thanks for stopping by my DORGAN website. It is always a work in progress. Do you have Dorgan's in or near Tucson, Arizona? I taught with a Bill Dorgan at Salpointe Catholic HS in the 1970s. His branch also came from Minnesota.Bill Dorgan

Anne Marie Dorgan Omweg from North Smithfield, RI wrote on April 10, 2023 at 5:51 pm

Hi Cousin Bill! Last saw you in Portland, OR, with my daughter Katie O, for such a lovely dinner! My brother Tom passed away right at Christmas time, and I so miss him.I am once again perusing the extensive site you set up for the Dorgan Family history, and found that the pages for Anne (Dorgan) Maguire, Michael Dorgan (my grandfather), Patrick, David and John are no longer available. Also the site listed RI Dorgans links are no longer good. Any way to get this material? Thanks!

Admin Reply:

Cousin Ann Marie: I responded to your personal email. I will certainly get to the bottom of this. Thanks for pointing it out! Bill Dorgan

Sally Spillane from Sarasota, Florida, USA wrote on November 25, 2022 at 7:42 pm

To Bill Dorgan,Googled my Beausangs and your site with my Dorgans and Millericks... and all my maternal 'Usual Suspects'... popped up. Best Google search ever!Thank you so much for your hard work.Sally

Admin Reply:

Hi Sally: Glad my DORGAN website was helpful. Do you know Stephen Beausang in North Carolina, formerly from Cloyne? How about Una Millerick living in Dublin? Una is the best source for Millerick and Beausang.Bill Dorgan

Jean Maguire from Reading, PA wrote on September 15, 2022 at 2:08 pm

Hello!I'm on your family tree, great granddaughter of John Henry Maguire, Sr., daughter of Francis Leo Maguire, and daughter of Leo Russell Maguire.I'm looking for any family photos which have my great grandfather and grandfather and/or his brothers. My late father had no family pictures from the Maguire side of the family. I so want to put faces to names in my family tree book.Thank you,Jean

Admin Reply:

Hi Jean: 1. Thanks for signing my guestbook for the dorgan-family.com website. 2. Here is a photo of your great-grandfather JOHN HENRY MAGUIRE:https://dorgan-family.com/mary-hartnett/3. Your grandfather, Francis Leo Maguire may also be in this photo. There are two unknown Maguires in this photo.Let me know what you think.Also, can you fill me in with the names, places, and dates of your siblings, parents etc?Thanks, Bill Dorgan

Kevin C Hay from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina wrote on August 20, 2022 at 1:10 pm

My great great grandfather was Thomas Dorgan (I am told it was pronounced "Darrigan." Sadly he died in the American Civil War in 1862 while serving in the 73rd Ohio Regiment. He is buried in a Catholic church yard in Chilicothe Ohio. His brother James was in the same regiment and was wounded three times, yet survived. He is buried in the old soldiers home in Lexington, Kentucky. We have reviewed both of their medical files at National Archives in Washington, DC. They left Cork as boys and were building railroads in Tennessee when the war broke out. Their father died before they left Ireland. Their mother was in the poor house in Philadelphia. We don't know what part of Cork they came from, though my DNA shows a concentration on the Beara penninsula. Thank you for building a wonderful website. We look forward to exploring it more. Kevin Coyle Hay

Admin Reply:

Hi Kevin: Thanks for your comment on my DORGAN-FAMILY.com website. All my DORGAN ancestors are from East County Cork. I don't have a DORGAN ancestor with the forename, Thomas. I suspect your DORGAN'S might be from or near Carrignavar. There are a number of Thomas Dorgan living there. Good luck. Hope to hear from you again. Bill DorganP.S. I'm down the street from you in Charleston, SC.P.S.S. Check out this page of Thomas Dorgan's: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Special:SearchPerson

Mona O'Leary wrote on February 9, 2022 at 1:39 pm

Hi Michael Re Jane Dorgan Book I may be able to direct you. mona oleary 9/2/22

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:http://catalog.nypl.org/search/o45606454Good 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_AncestorsYou may also want to contact this man who shares your last name DORGANS: https://www.hugheshubbard.com/attorneys/olivier-dorgansGood 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: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2379407/memorial-search?firstName=&lastName=Cashman&page=1#sr-62299648You may also find this link helpful: https://www.corkgen.org/publicgenealogy/cork/parishes/dangandonovan-1056.htmlBill 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: https://en.geneanet.org/ 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

William H. Wilson, Jr. from Raleigh, North Carolina wrote on November 24, 2017 at 1:24 pm

Mr.. Bill Dorgan, Thanks for the experience of visiting your Dorgan Family website. Truly an adventure. So much to see and learn. I must return for another lesson. Credit to you for a tremendous amount of creation and work. I definitely enjoyed the America! segment. I feel I just read a short story experience of an immigrant in 1900. You captured the difficulty and uncertainty of making that long and scary journey. Keep up the good work and thanks for your response to my request about my Thompson ancestors. William H. Wilson, Jr. Raleigh, NC

Admin Reply:

WILLIAM, Thanks for your kind words. Let's keep looking for those illusive THOMPSONS! Bill Dorgan

Betty Briegel wrote on January 1, 2017 at 8:08 pm

Dear Bill,Thank you so much and I commend you on how organized you have everything. I did not touch anything here , just looked.I'm too new at this to understand where to look.May 2017 be good to you and I again thank you for your time. Betty

David Witcher wrote on November 14, 2016 at 6:14 pm

Cool website! Thanks for sharing! I will be visiting often! A lot of time and work involved to make something this complex. Your ancestors would be proud!

Bill Dorgan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:48 am

Comments: Welcome to the DORGAN Website and thank you for signing Guestbook 2006! Please feel free to visit and comment often. Don't forget to read Guestbook 2005!

im Sullivan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:48 am

Site: http://ka2oon.comComments: looks like a great sorce for links to infomation on lost family. keep up the great work

CP Nolan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:47 am

Comments: Thanks. Nice site.

50 Cent wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:46 am

Site:50cent.web-locations.comComments: Good job on your pages. And i like the guestbook option

Rita Reynolds wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:44 am

Comments: Loved the history lesson.

Eileen McDonald-Sayer wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:44 am

Comments: Great site,thankyou. I am researching McDonald and Law from Cork (Midleton)

Patricia Tejeda wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:43 am

Comments: Invaluable information and well presented. I'm researching Quinn - my Ggrandfather Frank Quinn was supposedly from somewhere in Cork Co. No clues as to parents names as he was put on ship for America, age 5, unaccompanied, and told to hide in lifeboat for 3 moons.

buckley wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:43 am

Comments: co cork bantry mallow

Dan Doherty wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:42 am

Comments: My ggrandparents came from Killeagh.

Mary Mizzi wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:41 am

Comments: I enjoyed reading your page and your history. Will definitely be back again.

Howard Fitzpatrick wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:41 am

Comments: My wife and I visited your area in 2000 and we had a great experience. My g. grandfather was from there, we think.

Timothy Mason wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:40 am

Comments: Looking for Mason Family members from East County Cork.gggrandfather Thomas Mason emigrated to Canada,1836 then on to west NY. Thanx

Carol Veio wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:40 am

Comments: Searching: Burke & Martin. This is a beautiful website and very informative.

Edward William Dorgan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:39 am

Comments: I really enjoyed reading your website!

Edward L.Duggan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:38 am

Comments: Looking for the Doyle,Collins,Maguire,Stafford and Sliney families that came from Ballyandreen,East Cork. Most of them settled in Providence,R.I., some stayed behind. Bill, you did one heck of a good job on this site,thanks.

Kenneth N Dorgan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:37 am

Comments: Thank you for the site. I have just started researching my family tree,your site has been very imformative.

Maureen Bharoocha wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:37 am

Comments: It is great to have our family's history compiled and for all to enjoy.

Timothy C. Hartnett wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:36 am

Comments: An excellent treatsie on Irish history. Thank you much for the great commentary herein. My Hartnetts, Timothy John Hartnett, settled in Buffalo, NY. It is said that my ancestors are from Co Cork, but I believe maybe Co Kerry, or the border townlands. Thanks again for this great site.

Shane McGrath nee Dorgan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:36 am

Comments: Thank you Bill, great to read origins of the family name.

Alan Dorgan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:35 am

Comments: Excellent site Bill.

Charlene Dali wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:34 am

Comments: I have just started researching my family tree, and this site, and you Bill, have helped me tremendously.

Richard E. Durgin wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:34 am

Site: http://www.myfamily.com/exec?c=site&htx=Main&sitei Comments: What a great page. You've done fine work Bill. I hope some day we can definitely link our two family surnames together. Keep up the good work. Dick Bothell, Washington

John E Roberts wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:33 am

Comments: My grandmother was a Durgan

Patti Bailey wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:32 am

Comments: I am looking for a Johanna Dorgan that married a Michael Hugh McNally. Johanna was born in 1831 in Ireland. any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Patti

P Daragan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:32 am

Comments: According to relatives my great grandfather, Michael, received mail as Dargan -- but used Daragan here in the states. According to relatives he was from Tipperary. Thank you for making you research available

Art Kilmartin wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:31 am

Comments: I have ancestors from Cloyne, East Cork and have enjoyed your website, also the East Cork site.

Walter Boeschen wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:30 am

Comments: Dear Bill. What a Homepage, what a sight! Your poem ‘America’ is the finest, the most touching story on steerage passengers on they’re way into the New World – to the Promised Land, that I ever had a chance to read. It’s very close to the point, to reality. Although I do remember the poem of a Ms ‘So-and-so’, (Lazarus?) that years ago had been placed to a wall, where...(trimmed)

John Lee nee Dargan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:30 am

Comments: My mothers family who come from Dublin are Dargans ,i live in Egham uk near Windsor

Neil James Dorgan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:29 am

Comments: Outstanding site very informative

Emily Withrow (Joe Maguire's granddaughter) wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:28 am

Comments: Great site! This is my first time really checking it out. It's so nice to have this resource. Great to share with my niece Ryana.

Tim Dargan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:28 am

Comments: Very interested to find your website, Bill. Have so far traced my ancestry back to the Dargans of Darlington in South Carolina, USA. Would like very much to communicate more with you. Regards, Tim

Barbara wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:27 am

Site:Comments: Great Job!!! We spoke some years back. Your work is grand!!

Glen Dorgan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:25 am

Site: http://www.fapdlaw.comComments: Came across your web site with interest, as my wife and I are planning a trip to Ireland in October, and we are making plans to visit Ballydorgan. What can we expect to find there? I get the impression it's not an established town, but more so a township area.

matt dorgan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:23 am

Comments: my family originates from cork , currently living in birmingham england

David Clements wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:22 am

Comments: I have only started looking into some family history in Cork and came across your site . What great site. I can only wish that I was part of the Dorgon family. I fully expect to able to use some of the information provided

alex dorgan wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:21 am

Comments:My name is alexander william dorgan. I go by alex. my father was on your web page but me and my sister were not. my father's name is Kevin Michael, Jr. My sisters name is carly marie dorgan. please add us to your web page. thank you

test from chennai wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:05 am

our E-mail address won't be published. For security reasons we save the IP address 122.174.137.155. It's possible that your entry will only be visible in the guestbook after we reviewed it. We reserve the right to edit, delete, or not publish entries.

team1 wrote on October 27, 2016 at 11:03 am

Name: Glen Dorgan http://www.fapdlaw.com Date: 2006-08-05 Email: gfd@fapdlaw.comComments: Came across your web site with interest, as my wife and I are planning a trip to Ireland in October, and we are making plans to visit Ballydorgan. What can we expect to find there? I get the impression it's not an established town, but more so a township area.

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