My name is David Cavanagh,
I have been carrying our research into my family name for some years
now, from what I have been able to find out so far my Great Grand
Father went to Southland, New Zealand from Annaghdown, Galway, Ireland.
The children of Francis Cavanagh and Cecily Ford ( my Gt Gt Grn
Parents) are: (1) William Cavanagh, who arrived in Dunedin (NZ)on the
Gil Blas from Australia in 1856 he was single, he was also the first
of the Galway Irish Catholics to land and led the way for many others
that were to follow from Annaghdown and surrounding areas to settle in
rural Southland. William was born 1835 and died 1873,he married Mary
Collins in 1862 in Invercargill New Zealand and had four children. My
Great Grand Father (2) John Frances Cavanagh, arrived on the George
Cannning 1857 also single, he was born 1833 died 1910, he married 1861
in Dunedin to Annie Forde and had 13 children. (3) Margaret Cavanagh
a sister arrived I dont know when, she was born 1840 died 1918, she
married 1868 in Invercargill to John Caulfield and had 3 children that
I know of at the moment. (4) Thomas Cavanagh born 1841 died 1907
Married to Ellen Burke I dont know when and had 6 children. (5) Michael
Cavanagh born circa 1841 died 1915 was never married and had no
children. (6) Cecily Cavanagh was born 1843 do not know what became
of her yet.
These 6 family members I have been able to find from Irish records,
although records prior to William 1835 do not exist, I feel that there
could possibly be other members who went to different places in the
world besides New Zealand, ie Canada, U.S.A, Australia or the U.K. So
that is why I am contacting all who are researching the Cavanagh name in
the hope that there might be some connection. Connection or not I am
still interested in any infomation at all on Cavanagh/Kavanaghs from
Galway, and in particluar the Annaghdown area, which is about 7miles
north of Galway City, on the shores of Lake Corrib.
I thank you for taking the time to read this and any infomation that
you might send, looking foreward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
David L Cavanagh.
Adelaide, South Australia.