On the 9th of April 1896, John McGilligan arrived in Boston, Massachusetts onboard the S.S. Scandinavian. The Boston Passenger List states he was 21 years of age and accompanied by a friend/cousin named Thomas White. He was a farmer and able to read and write. Last place of residence in Ireland was Swatera (Swatragh, Co. Londonderry). His final destination in the United States was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Source: Boston Passenger Lists, 1891-1943 via Ancestry.com
Irish Flax Growers List, 1796
Given Name: James
Surname: McGilligan
County: Londonderry
Source: Ancestry.com
Elizabeth Elder married John Owens in 1811 at Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Source: Z. Mettam. Northern Ireland Marriages, Volume 2 (Manuscript found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City on microfilm 824282, item 3).
Frances Elder married Thomas Ransford on February 25th, 1740 at St. Audeon, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
Source: D. A. Chart. Marriage Entries from the Registers of the Parishes of St. Andrew, St. Anne, St. Audoen, & St. Bride (Dublin), 1632-1800. Exeter and London: William Pollard & Co. Ltd., 1913. 185 pages.
James Elder married Ann Duggan on May 29th, 1775 at St. Mary, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
Source: A. E. Langman. Marriage Entries in the Registers of the Parishes of S. Marie, S. Luke, S. Catherine, and S. Werburgh, 1627-1800. Exeter & London: William Pollard & Co. Ltd., 1915. 143 pages.
Elder & McGilligan Genealogy 