William Joseph Dorgan Sr. is an intriguing figure: His son is William Joseph Dorgan Jr., and I am his grandson, also named William Joseph Dorgan III. The surprising part is that his middle name was not Joseph, but John. The proof includes his birth record, citizenship petition, marriage records, and more. My father took pride in his Jr. title. I always signed my official documents as William Joseph Dorgan III, which is also on my birth record. I’m confused by the whole story. I don’t think my dad knew the truth either. For this genealogy project, I will use the names William Joseph Dorgan Sr., William Joseph Dorgan Jr., and William Joseph Dorgan III.

William was an infant when he crossed the Atlantic from Queenstown, County Cork, Ireland, with his mother and four siblings.

This is the Passenger Record of William Dorgan:

First Name: William
Last Name: Dorgan
Nationality: Ireland, Irish
Last Place of Residence:   Midleton
Date of Arrival: June 9th, 1897
Age at Arrival: Infant
Gender: Male
Ship of Travel: Teutonic
Port of Departure: Queenstown
Manifest Line Number:   0566
Passenger ID: 102902013196

1900 US CENSUS: 39 Ashburton St., Providence, RI
Name: William Dorgan Age: 3 Birth Date: Apr 1897 Birthplace: Ireland Home in 1900: Providence Ward 3, Providence, Rhode Island
[Providence]  Race: White Gender: Male Immigration Year: 1898 Relation to Head of House: Son Marital Status: Single Father's Name: Patrick Dorgan Father's Birthplace: Ireland Mother's Name: Mary Dorgan Mother's Birthplace: Ireland Occupation: View on Image Neighbors: View others on page Household Members:

Patrick Dorgan
39
Mary Dorgan
29
Annie Dorgan
12
Michael Dorgan
10
Patrick Dorgan
8
David Dorgan
5
William Dorgan
3

1905 RHODE ISLAND CENSUS: 296 Charles St., Providence, RI.
"Rhode Island, State Census, 1905", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLJY-WXF

William Dorgan
Census • Rhode Island, State Census, 1905

Name
William Dorgan
Sex
Male
Age
8 years
Birth Date
21 May 1897
Birthplace
Ireland
Marital Status
Unknown
Race
White
Number in Family
8
Relationship to Head of Household
Son
Father's Birthplace
Ireland
Mother's Birthplace
Ireland
Event Type
Census
Event Date
1905
Event Place
Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Event Place (Original)
3, Providence, Providence

William Dorgan's Parents and Siblings
Patrick Dorgan
Father
M
45 years
Ireland

Name
Patrick Dorgan
Sex
Male
Age
45 years
Birth Date
26 April 1860
Birthplace
Ireland
Marital Status
Married
Race
White
Number in Family
8
Relationship to Head of Household
Self
Father's Birthplace
Massachusetts
Mother's Birthplace
Providence RI
Event Type
Census
Event Date
1905
Event Place
Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Event Place (Original)
3, Providence, Providence

David A Dorgan
Brother
M
9 years
Ireland
Mikel J Dorgan
Brother
M
15 years
Ireland
Other People on This Record
Patrick Dorgan
M
11 years
Ireland

1910 US CENSUS: 47 Osborne St., Providence, RI
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MP6L-KHX

William Dorgan
Census • United States, Census, 1910

Name
William Dorgan
Sex
Male
Age
12 years
Birth Year (Estimated)
1898
Birthplace
Ireland
Arrival Date
1908
Marital Status
Single
Race
White
Relationship to Head of Household
Son
Father's Birthplace
Ireland
Mother's Birthplace
Ireland
Event Type
Census
Event Date
1910
Event Place
Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Event Place (Original)
Providence Ward 3, 174, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Sheet Letter
A
Sheet Number
13
Affiliate Publication Number
T624
Affiliate Name
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

Name: William Dorgan
[William Dorgon] 
[William Dergan]  Age in 1910: 12 Birth Year: 1898 Birthplace: Ireland Home in 1910: Providence Ward 3, Providence, Rhode Island Race: White Gender: Male Immigration Year: 1908 Relation to Head of House: Son Marital Status: Single Father's Name: Patrick Dorgan Father's Birthplace: Ireland Mother's Name: Mary Dorgan Mother's Birthplace: Ireland Neighbors: View others on page Household Members:

Patrick Dorgan
44
Mary Dorgan
39
Anna Dorgan
21
Mecheal Dorgan
20
Patrick Dorgan
18
David Dorgan
16
William Dorgan
12
Mary Dorgan
5
Mary Johnstone
50

William does not appear in the 1920, 1930, and 1940 US Census for Rhode Island.

The 1905 Census of Rhode Island lists William Joseph Dorgan's date of birth as May 21, 1897. However, his Declaration of Intention for naturalization states his birth date as April 15, 1897. His Death Certificate records him as born on April 15, 1905, while his Social Security application claims an April 15, 1900, birth. In contrast, the Social Security Death Index indicates he was born on April 11, 1897. Notably, he was eight years older than his second wife, Helen Louise McIntosh, who was born in 1905. His sister, Mary Catherine, born on March 19, 1905, is the youngest child of Patrick Dorgan and Mary Hartnett. Given these discrepancies, it appears the SSDI is correct in stating he was born on April 11, 1897. This date is also confirmed by William’s Irish baptismal certificate, which interestingly identifies him as William John Dorgan.


William married twice: 

(1) He married his first wife, Jessie Greig, a waitress, on June 9, 1917. He was 20, and she was 17. They had a son who was born on October 9, 1917, and died on October 15, 1917.  They separated in the summer of 1918 and were formally divorced on January 4, 1923.

(2) He married his second wife, my grandmother, Helen Louise McIntosh, on 25 July 1923. They had three children, one of whom was my father, William Joseph Dorgan, Jr.

His Rhode Island state file is #159, and his Warwick, Rhode Island file is #83-160.

He petitioned to become a U.S. citizen on January 23, 1923. On that form, he stated that his wife was Jessie Greig, who resided at 389 Charles St, Providence, RI, even though they had separated in 1918 and were formally divorced on January 4, 1923. He lived at 68 Bergen St., Providence, RI.

William John Dorgan in the Rhode Island, U.S., State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1802-1945
Name
William John Dorgan (notice John, not Joseph!)
Declaration Age
24
Birth Date
15 Apr 1897
Birth Place
Churchtown, Co. Cock, Ireland
Record Type
Naturalization Declaration
Departure Place
Queenstown, Ireland
Arrival Date
9 Jun 1897
Arrival Place
New York City, New York
Declaration Date
23 Jan 1922
Declaration Place
Rhode Island, USA
Ship
Tentonic
Relation to Head
Self (Head)
Spouse
Jessie Greig
Declaration Number
34783

"Rhode Island, U.S. District and Circuit Court Naturalization Records, 1802-1945", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6P1Q-TYTB: Thu Apr 17 15:26:05 UTC 2025), Entry for William John Dorgan and Jessie Greig, 23 Jan 1922.

William applied for a Social Security Account Number on January 29, 1940. At that time, he gave his address as Division Road, R.F.D. 67, East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He stated that the business name of his employer was Moriarty & Kay Oil Company. The business was located at 164 Allens Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island.

Anne O'Donnell, the wife of Thomas A. Dorgan, Sr. (the son of Michael Joseph Dorgan and the brother of William Joseph Dorgan), related the story that William Joseph Dorgan had made arrangements to enter the seminary of a Religious Order in France with one of his cousins. He never made it because he could not raise the funds for passage. Marc Rubio, a first cousin of Thomas Dorgan, Sr, confirmed this story. In his e-mail correspondence with me, Marc wrote:

"Well, I am happy that our once separated Dorgan family searches concern now the same ancestors in Rhode Island and Ireland. Thank you very much for your message entitled "Family Tree Maker.”So many details are given, and I'm sure it has required long hours to compile everything!
You wrote in your message about a seminary of a religious order in France. This story may have a link with my family: my great-grandfather, Christopher Joseph King (1874-1917), brother of Catherine King (spouse: Michael Joseph Dorgan), studied for the priesthood in Ellicott City, MD, and he participated in an exchange study program in Lille, France. I was told he may have met his future wife while attending Sunday afternoon vespers at a local church on one of his free Sunday afternoons from the seminary. So he married Malvina Landrieu in 1900 and became the consul of the United States in Lille. The couple had four children: Yolande, Madeleine, Roger, and Edgar. The surname KING died out in France as Roger and Edgar didn't have children (neither did Yolande). My grandmother Madeleine KING (1906-1974) married Julio RUBIO (from Colombia) and had two children: my father Francis (1932-1998) and my aunt Yvette."

William Joseph Dorgan was an auto mechanic and a carpenter by trade. He worked with James Moriarty, the husband of his sister, Mary, as an oil-truck driver. James Moriarty would also buy houses and hire William to restore them. James would then resell the houses at a profit. At one time, William built a large barn for James Moriarty in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. Francis Maguire and Thomas Dorgan, Sr. would accompany James Moriarty and William to this barn in the middle of the Great Depression, around 1935-37. They rarely had enough to eat, so they would poach corn from one of the farms in West Greenwich.

Unfortunately, William had a lifelong problem with alcohol. He spent much of his money drinking with his friends.

Both his marriages ended in divorce. He married his first wife, Jessie Greig, a waitress, on June 9, 1917. They had a son who was born on October 9, 1917, and died on October 15, 1917. They separated in the summer of 1918. She initially petitioned for divorce on January 27, 1920. She was granted a divorce on January 4, 1923, which, after the customary six-month lapse, became effective on July 6, 1923. She obtained the divorce on the grounds of "neglect to provide.” She was also allowed to resume her maiden name, Jessie Greig. At that time, she was 23 years old and lived at 369 Charles Street, Providence, Rhode Island.

Her deposition states that "(William) has never supported me. I have worked since my marriage in 1917 and have supported myself. He has failed completely to provide me with any of the necessities of life for the past five years and five months. He is a chauffeur and earns about $35 a week. He could support me well if he wanted to. We separated five years ago through no fault of my part and have not lived together since that time. We have no children. I wish to resume my maiden name, Jessie Greig."

He married his second wife, my Grandmother Helen Louise McIntosh, on July 25, 1923, at 592 North Main Street, Fall River, Massachusetts, before Joseph F. Delahanty, Justice of the Peace & Assistant City Clerk: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6CB9-97Q9. The registration number was 811, and the intention number was 735. In those days, a couple had to record their intention to marry. They did this in Fall River, Massachusetts, on July 3, 1923, and a certificate of intention was issued by the City Clerk, John Crowther, on July 9, 1923.

William stated that he was 25 years of age on his last birthday and that he resided at 61 Bergen Street, Providence, Rhode Island. His father was Patrick Dorgan, and his mother was Mary "Hartwell" (Hartnett). He also stated that he was born in Providence, Rhode Island, but this is not the case. He was born in Ireland. He listed himself as a chauffeur. This was his second marriage.

Helen Louise stated that she was 17 years of age on her last birthday and that she resided at 51 Pekin Street, Providence, Rhode Island. Her father was Charles L. McIntosh, and her mother was Ellen L. Dwyer. She also stated that she was born in Providence, Rhode Island. She listed no occupation. This was her first marriage.

"Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-N3ZY-9YC6?view=index: Dec 4, 2024), image 389 of 527; Massachusetts. State Archives.

He abandoned Helen Louise and their three children in 1927. At that time, they were living in the Auburn section of Cranston, Rhode Island. Helen Louise Dorgan's mother, Ellen [Dwyer] McIntosh Connell, and her husband, Joseph Connell, took a taxi from Providence to Cranston to rescue Helen Louise and her children from homelessness. They brought Helen Louise, who was pregnant with their third child, Corinne, and her two other children, William and Helen Louise, to live at their home on 956 Chalkstone Avenue in the Mount Pleasant section of Providence, Rhode Island. William and Helen Louise attempted reconciliation a short time later, but it failed.

After the separation of William and Helen, William went to live with his mother in the Spring Green section of Warwick, Rhode Island. Later, he and his mother lived in a house owned by James Moriarty on Division Road in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

William and Helen were divorced in the Superior Court of Providence, Rhode Island, on September 22, 1937, before Judge Sullivan on the grounds of "neglect to provide and willful desertion." Helen was represented by the law offices of Charles B. Coppen, 49 Westminster St., Providence, Rhode Island. William never contested nor was represented by counsel during the divorce proceedings. Helen was awarded "custody of the three minor children, William J. Dorgan, age 14; Helen L. Dorgan, age 13; Corrine H. Dorgan, age 9." "The question of alimony and support of the minor children" was "left for the future determination of the Court." There is no court record that Helen Louise pursued alimony and child support. And there is no court record that William provided alimony or child support.

More about William Joseph Dorgan:

Baptized by: Rev. John O'Riordan, 15 Apr 1897, Ballycotton Church (actually the Ballycotton Chapel down the lane from McGrath’s Pub since the Ballycotton Church was not dedicated until 1901), Diocese of Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland. Sponsor: Margarita Roche (unknown relationship, perhaps a person in attendance since William may not have been expected to live. His baptism happened within three days of his birth. It is unusual to have only one baptismal sponsor, but not altogether unprecedented.

I want to relate a personal story of how I came to know my grandfather:

Amazing things happen!  

My brother, Eddie, found a photo hidden in a drawer of a desk he was about to throw away.

It is the only known photo of my grandfather, WILLIAM J. DORGAN, Sr., taken on 17 August 1969.  My grandfather was 72, and I was 20 ... almost 21. He died 14 years later, on 22 February 1983. 

At the time I met him, I was heading for the Novitiate (a spiritual year of study, prayer, and reflection) with the Carmelites, a Roman Catholic Religious Order. 

I had never before met my grandfather. His name or whereabouts were never mentioned. Even as a child, I always wondered what happened to him. After all, every boy had two grandfathers, except me! I was to learn later that he and my grandmother were separated in 1927 and formally divorced on 22 SEP 1937. Sadly, no one ever mentioned his name to his grandchildren. And it wasn't until 1969 that I found out about him by chance. Here’s the story of how I found him: 

One summer day in 1969, Ann O'Donnell-Dorgan came into the Shepherd Company in downtown Providence, where I worked as a clerk in the men's clothing department. I noticed her charge card said DORGAN. I told her I was a DORGAN, and she said her husband was my Dad's first cousin. First surprise: I never knew my Dad had cousins! 

We talked, and I asked her if she knew my grandfather. She said, "Yes, I know him. He is my husband's uncle.” I was flabbergasted. My second surprise was that I did not know if he was dead or alive, and here was confirmation that he was indeed alive!  

I asked her if she could connect me with him, and she said she would have her son, Tommy Dorgan, contact me. Within a few days, my newly discovered cousin, Tommy Austin Dorgan, Jr., contacted me and took me to meet my grandfather at the Rhode Island Medical Center (colloquially known at that time as "Howard"). 

My grandfather was in the general hospital of the Rhode Island Medical Center because he was indigent. He was a surgical patient, not a psychiatric patient. He had fallen and fractured his hip. He was discharged in a few days.

Despite what I heard about him, I immediately liked him and knew he liked me, too. I could not get over how he looked like my own father, his son, and how all three of us resembled one another. It was uncanny, and a memory burned into my brain forever.

At this meeting, I spontaneously invited him to come to my father's home for a "cook-out,” and he readily accepted. I picked him up at his home at 21 Beach Avenue, Warwick, and drove him to my father's house at 85 Herschel Street in Providence. He was dandyishly dressed in a white starched shirt, pressed slacks, and polished black shoes, with his white hair combed impeccably.

He and my Dad had been estranged from the late 1920s - the early 1930s. I believe that my Dad only saw him once at the Providence Police Station in the 1950s. To this day, I am not too sure how my Dad felt about this meeting that I had arranged without consulting him first or seeking his permission. We never discussed it. But, for me, it was a wonderful encounter indelibly ingrained in my memory ...  it was simply the right thing to do.

I never saw my grandfather again, but I still think of him.

When he died, my father, his son, had a funeral Mass celebrated and buried him properly. My father is an honorable man. Later on, my Dad told me that when he went to claim the body as next of kin, he noticed that on his bedstand was the Bible and a photo of me and him that I had taken at the Rhode Island Medical Center. This is the photo my brother, Eddie, found inside a drawer of a discarded desk at my Dad’s home in Scituate, Rhode Island. I have posted it on my website.

I wish I had kept in contact with him, but I didn't.

The death notice of William J. Dorgan appeared in the Providence Journal on 24 February 1983, page C2.

DORGAN, WILLIAM J. Sr.

February 22, 1983. Son of the late Patrick and Mary (Hodnett [sp?]) Dorgan. Residence 21 Beach Ave., Warwick. Private funeral from the Winfield Funeral Home, 94 Beach Ave.

William appears on the Social Security Death Index: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JP3L-PZP

Jessie Greig in  Rhode Island, U.S., Birth Registrations 1846-1921
View

Detail Source
Name
Jessie Greig
Gender
Female
Race
White
Birth Date
26 Feb 1900
Birth Place
Rhode Island, USA
Birth Registration Place
Providence
Father
Alexander H Greig
Mother
Catharine Sullivan

Jessie Grieg appears on the 1910 US Census. Her father, Alexander Hunter Greig, does not appear on this census. Her mother’s occupation is a boarding mistress—residence: 22 Waterman Ave., Providence, RI.

Jessie Greig
Age in 1910: 10
Estimated birth year: about 1900
Birthplace: Rhode Island
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Father's Birth Place: England
Mother's name: Catherine
Mother's Birth Place: England
Home in 1910: North Providence, Providence, Rhode Island
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Household Members:
Catherine Greig 43
Jennie Greig 22
Alexander Greig 18
Jessie Greig 10
Elizabeth Greig 6
Albert Corn 28
Patrick H Harrington 26
John Splaine 33

1915 living at 1213 Smith Street, Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, working as a Mill Hand in a Cotton Mill (1915 US State census - Rhode Island)

1917 living at 47 Nolan Street, Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island (Marriage record - William John Dorgan & Jessie Greig)

Jessie Greig, a waitress, married William J. Dorgan on June 9, 1917. They had a son who was born on October 9, 1917, and died on October 15, 1917. They separated in the summer of 1918. She initially petitioned for divorce on January 27, 1920. She was granted a divorce on January 4, 1923, which, after the customary six-month lapse, became effective on July 6, 1923. She obtained the divorce on the grounds of "neglect to provide.” She was also "allowed to resume her maiden name of Jessie Greig." At that time, she was 23 years old and lived at 369 Charles Street, Providence, RI. Her deposition states that "(William) has never supported me. I have worked since my marriage in 1917 and have supported myself. He has failed completely to provide me with any of the necessities of life for the past five years and five months. He is a chauffeur and earns about $35 a week. He could support me well if he wanted to. We separated five years ago through no fault on my part and have not lived together since that time. We have no children. I wish to resume my maiden name, Jessie Greig."

These are the notes of my internet friend, Jim Greig:

Jessie was the daughter of Alexander Hunter Greig and Catherine Theresa Sullivan. They were born and married in Carlisle, England, and had two children before emigrating to the USA. They went on to have a further 6 children. 

Alexander Hunter Greig was the son of Charles Greig (Penicuik, Scotland) and Jane Hunter (Duns, Scotland). They married in Scotland in 1847 and had three children before moving down to Carlisle, where they had another 7 children.

Charles & Jane are my 3x's Great Grandparents and my common ancestors with Jessie, making her my 1st cousin 3 times removed.

I believe I have followed the Greig family back to the Edinburgh area in the early 1700s. My branch moved to Ayton, Scotland, around 1800, before moving West along the Borders area via Penicuik to Carlisle in England, then briefly onto Sheffield around 1900, and soon afterwards settling in Manchester. 

Jessie had a brother named Ronald Greig. I have been in contact with some of his descendants for many years. They still live in Providence County, and we visited them last year whilst on holiday. Are you living there too?

If you require any additional information or if I can be of any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Jim

Jessie Greig married a second time to Joseph Smyth in New York, New York, U.S., Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018
Name
Jessie Greig
Gender
Female
Marriage License Date
14 Feb 1923
Marriage License Place
Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
Spouse
Joseph Smyth
License Number
4356

On her Certificate and Record of Marriage, Jessie stated that she was single and that her marriage to Joseph Smyth on 26 February 1923 was her first marriage. But this was not true. She had married William J Dorgan on 9 June 1917 and separated a year later. She was granted a divorce on 4 January 1923, which took effect on 6 July 1923. She married Joseph Smyth on 26 February 1923, before the divorce took effect.

Jessie Greig’s sister, Jennie, and her husband, Raymond Reynolds, witnessed William J. Dorgan and Jessie Greig’s marriage at St. Patrick’s Church in Providence, Rhode Island.

Jessie died of Meningitis pneumonia due to an upper respiratory infection on 2 September 1941 at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket, RI. At the time of her death, she lived with her second husband, Joseph Smyth, at 83 Broad Street, Pawtucket, RI.

Marriage
Date: 9 JUN 1917
Place: Rhode Island,

1910 U.S. CENSUS

Note: Helen is spelled **Hellen** in this census.

Name: Hellen L. McIntosh

Sex: Female

Age: 4 years

Estimated Birth Year: 1906

Birthplace: Rhode Island

Marital Status: Single

Race: White

Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter

Father's Birthplace: Rhode Island

Mother's Birthplace: Rhode Island

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1910

Event Place: Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Event Place (Original): Providence Ward 3, 171, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Sheet Letter: B

Sheet Number: 17

Affiliate Publication Number: T624

Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

**Hellen L. McIntosh’s Parents and Siblings**

Mother: Ellen L. McIntosh (F), age 24, born in Rhode Island

Father: Charles L. McIntosh (M), age 28, born in Rhode Island

Record for Father:

Name: Charles L. McIntosh

Sex: Male

Age: 28 years

Estimated Birth Year: 1882

Birthplace: Rhode Island

Marital Status: Married

Race: White

Relationship to Head of Household: Head

Father's Birthplace: Canada

Mother's Birthplace: New York

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1910

Event Place: Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Event Place (Original): Providence Ward 3, 171, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Sheet Letter: B

Sheet Number: 17

Affiliate Publication Number: T624

Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

Siblings:

- Alfred F. McIntosh, brother, male, 5 months, born in Rhode Island

- Charles A. McIntosh, brother, male, 2 years, born in Rhode Island

Citation:

"United States, Census, 1910," FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MP6L-89Q: Sat Mar 09 09:12:08 UTC 2024), entry for Charles L. McIntosh and Ellen L. McIntosh, 1910.

---

1920 U.S. CENSUS

Name: Helen McIntosh

Sex: Female

Age: 14 years

Estimated Birth Year: 1906

Birthplace: Rhode Island

Marital Status: Single

Race: White

Relationship to Head of Household: Granddaughter

Father's Birthplace: Rhode Island

Mother's Birthplace: Rhode Island

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1920

Event Place: Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Event Place (Original): Providence Ward 3, ED 195, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Household Identifier: 128

Line Number: 6

Sheet Letter: A

Sheet Number: 7

Affiliate Publication Number: T625

Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

---

1930 U.S. CENSUS

Name: Helen L. Dorgan

Sex: Female

Age: 24 years

Estimated Birth Year: 1906

Birthplace: Rhode Island

Marital Status: Married

Race: White

Relationship to Head of Household: Stepdaughter

Father's Birthplace: Rhode Island

Mother's Birthplace: Rhode Island

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1930

Event Place: Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Event Place (Original): Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Line Number: 87

Sheet Letter: B

Sheet Number: 12

Affiliate Publication Number: T626

Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

---

1935 CENSUS OF RHODE ISLAND

Name: Helen L. Dorgan

Sex: Female

Birth Date: 28 December 1905

Birthplace: Rhode Island

Residence Date: 1935

Residence Place: 956 Chalkstone, Providence, Providence, Rhode Island

Post Office: 956 Chalkstone

Marital Status: Married

Race: White

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1935

Event Place: Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Event Place (Original): Providence, Providence, Providence, Rhode Island

---

1940 U.S. CENSUS

Name: Helen L. Dorgan

Sex: Female

Age: 34 years

Birth Date: 1906

Birthplace: Rhode Island

Residence Date: 1935

Residence Place: Same house

Marital Status: Divorced

Race: White

Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1940

Event Place: Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Event Place (Original): Providence City, Providence City, Providence, Ward 5, Providence, 6-73, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Enumeration District Number: 6-73, Providence City Ward 5 (Tract 22 – part)

Line Number: 80

Sheet Letter: B

Sheet Number: 5

Affiliate Publication Number: T627

**Helen L. Dorgan’s Parents and Household Members (1940)**

Father:

Name: Joseph E. Connell

Sex: Male

Age: 64 years

Birth Date: 1876

Birthplace: Rhode Island

Residence Date: 1935

Residence Place: Same house

Marital Status: Married

Race: White

Relationship to Head of Household: Head

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1940

Event Place: Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Event Place (Original): Providence City, Providence City, Providence, Ward 5, Providence, 6-73, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Enumeration District Number: 6-73, Providence City Ward 5 (Tract 22 – part)

Line Number: 80

Sheet Letter: B

Sheet Number: 5

Affiliate Publication Number: T627

Mother: Ellen L. Connell

Other People on This Record:

- Frances Dwyer

- William J. Dorgan

- Helen L. Dorgan

- Corinne H. Dorgan

---

Helen Louise worked in the housekeeping department at the Homeopathic Hospital (later Roger Williams General Hospital) from the 1930s to the 1940s. On the 1935 Rhode Island Census, she listed herself as a laundry folder. She was a single mother raising three children. Later, she worked for many years in the “Ladies’ Foundations” departments of the Boston Store and the Outlet Company in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. She retired from the Outlet Company in November 1973.

She lived for many years with her mother, Ellen Dwyer McIntosh Connell, and her stepfather, Joseph Connell, at 956 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island. They later moved together to Osborn Street in Providence, Rhode Island.

When her stepfather, Joseph Connell, died in 1968, and her mother died in 1969, Helen Louise rented an apartment next to us on Herschel Street.

She appears in the 1929 and 1930 Providence City Directories at 956 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island. The 1928 Providence City Directory, however, lists William J. Dorgan (auto mechanic) and Helen Louise Dorgan living at 63 Bergen Street. This seems unlikely, since William and Helen separated in 1927.

Helen Louise appears in the 1940 U.S. Federal Census:

Name: Helen L. Dorgan

[Also indexed as: Helen L. Connell]

Age: 34

Estimated Birth Year: about 1906

Gender: Female

Race: White

Birthplace: Rhode Island

Marital Status: Divorced

Relation to Head of Household: Daughter

Home in 1940: Providence, Rhode Island

Street: Chalkstone Avenue

House Number: 956

Inferred Residence in 1935: Providence, Rhode Island

Residence in 1935: Same house

Sheet Number: 5B

Occupation: Rating clerk

Attended School or College: No

Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 8th grade

Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 40

Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work

Weeks Worked in 1939: 52

Income: $750

Income From Other Sources: No

Household Members:

- Joseph E. Connell, 64

- Ellen L. Connell, 54

- Helen L. Dorgan, 34

- Frances Dwyer, 53

- William J. Dorgan, 16

- Helen L. Dorgan, 15

- Corinne H. Dorgan, 12

She was known affectionately by her grandchildren as “Ma Dorgan.”

Helen Louise McIntosh married William John Dorgan on July 25, 1923, at 592 North Main Street, Fall River, Massachusetts before Joseph F. Delahanty, Justice of the Peace & Assistant City Clerk. The registration number was 811 and the intention number was 735. In those days, a couple had to record their intention to marry. They did this in Fall River, Massachusetts on July 3, 1923, and a certificate of intention was issued by the City Clerk, John Crowther on July 9, 1923.

William stated that he was 25 years of age on his last birthday and that he resided at 61 Bergen Street, Providence, Rhode Island. His father was Patrick Dorgan, and his mother was Mary "Hartwell" (Hartnett). He also stated that he was born in Providence, Rhode Island, but this is not the case. He was born in Ireland. He listed himself as a chauffeur. This was his second marriage.

Helen Louise stated that she was 17 years of age on her last birthday and that she resided at 51 Pekin Street, Providence, Rhode Island. Her father was Charles L. McIntosh and her mother was Ellen L. Dwyer. She also stated that she was born in Providence, Rhode Island. She listed no occupation. This was her first marriage.

William and Helen were divorced in the Superior Court of Providence, Rhode Island, on September 22, 1937, before Judge Sullivan on the grounds of “neglect to provide and willful desertion.” Helen was represented by the law offices of Charles B. Coppen, 49 Westminster St., Providence, Rhode Island. William never contested nor was represented by counsel during the divorce proceedings. Helen was awarded “custody of the three minor children, William J. Dorgan, age 14; Helen L. Dorgan, age 13; Corrine H. Dorgan, age 9.” “The question of alimony and support of the minor children” was “left for the future determination of the Court.” There is no court record that Helen Louise pursued alimony and child support. And there is no court record that William provided alimony or child support.