Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN

(b. 14 February 1910 , Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA d. 16 March 1986 , Pinellas, Florida, USA )

Am I Your Ancestor?
WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN Family Tree – Connecting the Past to the Present!

What started out as our family is now your’s too!

Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN was born 14 February 1910 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN was the child of Jan "John" Stanislaw WACLAWSKI and Karoline MYTKOWICZ

Spouse(s)/Partner(s) and Child(ren):

Wanda Jennette married Kenneth Davies CHILDS 14 March 1947 in East Hartford, Connecticut, USA . Kenneth Davies CHILDS was born 14 July 1899 in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA (Florence). Kenneth Davies died 9 February 1974 in Clearwater, Florida, USA (Clear Water Harbor). Kenneth Davies was the child of Luther O CHILDS and Mary Ann DAVIS.

Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN died 16 March 1986 in Pinellas, Florida, USA.

m. Malcom Donald (1906-1990)

photo/ portrait (above) from ancestry.com

Details of the family tree of Wanda appear below.

Everyday Chronicles: Life of the Average American Woman in the Mid-1900s

Family and Children of Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN

[Hide/Show]

Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN married

Kenneth Davies CHILDS-- Date: 14 March 1947 Place: East Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Kenneth Davies CHILDS was the child of Luther O CHILDS and Mary Ann DAVIS

Name: Jennette Gilligan
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 14 Mar 1947
Marriage Place: East Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Spouse:
Kenneth Childs
URL: ctatatelibrarydata.org

Children of Kenneth Davies CHILDS and Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN:

Share the History, Life Events, and Stories of Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN
(Add details like birth, baptism, census records, military service, obituary, personal achievements, and more.)

[Hide/Show]

Discovering the Ancestry of Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN: Events, Photos & Historical Records

Postcards and Memories of Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Birth
Name: Wanda Wactawki
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 14 Feb 1910
Birth Place: Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
Father: John Wactawki
Mother: Caroline Mitzcavitz
Massachusetts Vital Records, 1911–1915 (From original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: NewEnglandAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.)
Researching Your Colonial New England Ancestors

1912 - April 15 - Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic

1913 - The assembly line is invented (Henry Ford, United States)

The bra is invented (Mary Phelps Jacob, United States)

1913 - Woodrow Wilson becomes President of the United States

1913 - October 31 – The Lincoln Highway, the first automobile road across the United States, is dedicated

1915 - January 25 - First United States coast-to-coast long-distance telephone call

1917 - March 2 – The enactment of the Jones Act grants Puerto Ricans United States citizenship.

1917 - April 6 – WWI: The United States declares war on Germany

1918 - March 19 – The United States Congress establishes time zones and approves daylight saving time

1919 - June 4 – Women's rights: The United States Congress approves the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which would guarantee suffrage to women, and sends it to the U.S. states for ratification

1920 - Mount St Vincent, Holyoke, Massachusetts
Name: Wanda Waculawski
[Wanda Wacalawski]
Age: 9
Birth Year: abt 1911
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Home in 1920: Holyoke Ward 2, Hampden, Massachusetts
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Single
Able to Speak English: Yes
Attended School: yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
Kate Mcgue
58 Inmate
Lillian Horrigan
15 Inmate
Lillian Gaimend
14 Inmate
Emma Tomasini
13 Inmate
Matilda Waculawski
13 Inmate
Margaret Watson
12 Inmate
Elsie Leahy
12 Inmate
Doris Gaimend
11 Inmate
Grace Leahy
11 Inmate
Lauretta Vein
11 Inmate
Mary Champange
10 Inmate
Mary Koredka
10 Inmate
Bertha Gardula
10 Inmate
Jeannette Fournier
9 Inmate
Wanda Waculawski 9 Inmate
Angeline Vein
9 Inmate
Margaret Horrigan
8 Inmate
Leona Gagnon
8 Inmate
Aurella Champange
8 Inmate
Elizabeth Homrok
7 Inmate
Anastasia Gardula
7 Inmate
Helen Troskolawsky
7 Inmate
Lillian Fournier
6 Inmate
Anna...Read MORE...

1920 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1920 - January 17 - Prohibition goes into effect on January 17, 1920, under the provisions of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution

1921 - Warren G. Harding becomes President of the United States

1921 - Charles Strite of Minnesota patents the pop-up toaster.

1923 to 1927 - Television is invented (Vladimir Kosma Zworykin (Russia), Philo Taylor Farnsworth (United States))

1923 - Calvin Coolidge becomes President of the United States

1927 - The aerosol can is invented (Erik Rotheim, Norway)

1927 - April 7 – Bell Telephone Co. transmits an image of Herbert Hoover (then the Secretary of Commerce), which becomes the first successful long distance demonstration of television

1928 - Sliced bread (bread slicing machine) is invented by Otto Frederick Rohwedder (United States)

1929 - Herbert Hoover becomes President of the United States

1929 - October 29 - Black Tuesday - Stock market crash - The Great Depression Begins - It lasted until 1941 (WW2)

1930 - Scotch tape is invented (Richard Drew (3M), United States)

1930 - Westfield, Massachusetts
Name: Wanda J Gilligan
Birth Year: abt 1910
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age in 1930: 20
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Home in 1930: Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA
Map of Home: Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts
Street Address: Lozier Ave
Ward of City: 5
House Number: 6
Dwelling Number: 193
Family Number: 241
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Czechoslovakia
Mother's Birthplace: Czechoslovakia
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Stenographer
Industry: Bicycle Shop
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
Employment: Yes
Household Members Age Relationship
Frank O Gilligan
50 Head
Eva M Gilligan
48 Wife
Theodore W Gilligan
26 Son
Bertha M Gilligan
21 Daughter
Wanda J Gilligan 20 Daughter

In 1930, on February 18, Pluto was discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, marking a significant milestone in the study of our solar system.

1931 - The paper towel is invented (Arthur Scott, United States)

1931 - March 3 – The Star-Spangled Banner is adopted as the United States National anthem.

1933 - Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes President of the United States

1933 - December 5 – The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution is passed, repealing Prohibition

1934 - The metal beverage can is invented (American Can Co., United States)

1935 - The snowmobile was invented by Joseph Bombardier (Quebec, Canada)

1935 - August 14 – United States President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law

1938 - The ballpoint pen is invented (Lazlo Biro, Hungary)

1938-1944 - Sunscreen is invented (Franz Greiter, Switzerland and Benjamin Green, United States)

1938 - October 27 - Du Pont announces a name for its new synthetic yarn: nylon.

1940 - Southwick, Massachusetts
Name: Jeannette Gilligan
Respondent: Yes
Age: 30
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1910
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Southwick, Hampden, Massachusetts
Map of Home in 1940: Southwick, Hampden, Massachusetts
Street: South Longyard Road
Farm: No
Inferred Residence in 1935: Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts
Residence in 1935: Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 5B
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 126
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 19
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Weeks Worked in 1939: 0
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
Jeannette Gilligan 30 Head
Helen Colombia
12 Niece
Jane Colombia
6 Niece

1940 - April - 1st electron microscope demonstrated (RCA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

1941 - December 8 - (the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor) United States declares war on Japan (WW2)

1944 - D-Day, which occurred on June 6, 1944, was a pivotal World War II operation where Allied forces launched a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France. Known as Operation Overlord, it involved over 156,000 troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations. The operation aimed to liberate Western Europe from Nazi German control. The landings marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany, leading to the eventual Allied victory in Europe.

1945 - The atomic bomb is invented (J. Robert Oppenheimer, et al., United States)

The microwave oven was invented accidentally in 1945 by Percy Spencer, a Raytheon engineer. While testing a magnetron, he noticed microwaves melted a candy bar in his pocket. Experimenting further, he discovered microwaves could cook food quickly. Raytheon patented the process, and by 1947, they built the first commercial microwave oven, called the 'Radarange.' Initially used in commercial settings, microwaves becomes affordable for home use by the 1960s and 1970s, revolutionizing cooking.

1945 - Harry S. Truman becomes President of the United States

1945 - On September 2, 1945, World War II officially ended with the formal surrender of Japan. The surrender ceremony took place aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, where Japanese officials signed the Instrument of Surrender in the presence of Allied representatives, including General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz.

1947 Marriage / Partner
Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN and Kenneth Davies CHILDS 14 March 1947, East Hartford, Connecticut, USA

She was 37 years old.

1948 - Velcro is invented (George de Mestral, Switzerland)

1950 - June 25 - Korean War begins when North Korean forces invade South Korea.

1953 - Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes President of the United States

1953 - On July 27, 1953, the Korean War ended with the signing of an armistice agreement at Panmunjom. This ceasefire halted the conflict between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, backed by United Nations forces primarily from the United States. The agreement established the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) near the 38th parallel, effectively maintaining the pre-war boundary and creating a buffer zone between the two Koreas.

1961 - John F. Kennedy becomes President of the United States

1961 - Vietnam War officially begins with 900 military advisors landing in Saigon.

1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis was a tense 13-day standoff in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over the installation of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the U.S. coast. The crisis is considered the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a full-scale nuclear war. It began when American spy planes discovered the missiles, leading to a U.S. naval blockade of Cuba and intense negotiations. The crisis ended when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba and secretly agreeing to remove American missiles from Turkey.

1963 - I Have a Dream Speech - Martin Luther King's Address at March on Washington August 28, 1963.

In 1963, on November 22, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza. The assassination shocked the nation and the world, leading to widespread mourning and a period of intense national introspection. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States shortly after Kennedy's death. The assassination sparked numerous conspiracy theories and investigations, with the Warren Commission ultimately concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination. Kennedy's death had a profound impact on American politics and society, marking the end of an era often referred to as 'Camelot.'

1968 - The ATM is invented (Don Wetzel, United States)

1969 - Richard M. Nixon becomes President of the United States

1969 - July 20 - Apollo 11 - Man lands on the moon

June 17, 1972 – August 9, 1974 - Watergate Scandal began with the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., in 1972. Members of President Richard Nixon's administration attempted to cover up their involvement. The scandal led to the discovery of multiple abuses of power by the Nixon administration, the resignation of President Nixon in 1974, and the indictment of several administration officials.

1973 - January 22 - Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 and Doe v. Bolton, 410 U.S. 179: The U.S. Supreme Court declares that the Constitution protects women’s right to terminate an early pregnancy, thus making abortion legal in the U.S.

1973 - March 29 - The last United States soldier leaves Vietnam

The cell phone was invented by Martin Cooper of Motorola. On April 3, 1973, he made the first handheld mobile phone call with the Motorola DynaTAC. This device weighed 2.5 pounds and was 10 inches long, offering 30 minutes of talk time and requiring 10 hours to charge. The first commercial cell phone was released in 1983, revolutionizing communication and leading to the modern smartphones we use today.

1974 Death of Spouse/Partner
Kenneth Davies CHILDS died 9 February 1974, Clearwater, Florida, USA (Clear Water Harbor)

1974 - Gerald R. Ford becomes President of the United States after the resignation of Richard Nixon.

1977 - Jimmy Carter becomes President of the United States

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington State occurred on May 18, triggered by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake. It caused the largest landslide in recorded history, followed by a massive lateral blast. The eruption killed 57 people, destroyed 250 homes, and spread ash across the U.S.

1981 - Ronald Reagan becomes President of the United States

1981 - June 5 - First reported case of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

1982 - The camcorder is invented (Sony Corp., Japan)

1983 - The laptop computer is invented (Radio Shack Corp., United States)

Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN - Grave

Grave

Spring Grove Cemetery Florence, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA

findagrave.com

Obituary

1986 Death
16 March 1986
Pinellas, Florida, USA

She died at the age of 76.

Wanda is buried at: Spring Grove Cemetery Florence, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA

Added: 6/29/2020 7:28:47 PM - Updated: 7/7/2025 5:36:32 PM

Family Pedigree Chart

LARGE PRINT Blank Pedigree Chart (6 generations/64 names) for Ancestry

Ancestry Family Group Record

LARGE PRINT Two-Sided Family Group Sheets for Ancestry

Learn more about where your ancestor was born.

Visit Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Not the person you are looking for? Try again!

Search for YOUR Family by Name

NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.

Search for YOUR Family by Place

Genealogy research for Wanda Waclawski Gilligan (on other sites)

findagrave, familysearch

Sign In

Find out more about Wanda Jennette WACLAWSKI GILLIGAN.

Sign In or Join for FREE! to see the details!

Completely FREE. We will never ask for your credit card or personal information.

Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

See You in the Morning Massachusetts: A rhyming bedtime story all about what makes Massachusetts Unique!

The Massachusetts Chronicles: The History of Massachusetts from Earliest Times to the Present Day

Every Day Life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony

History of Colonial America: A Captivating Guide to the Colonial History of the United States, Puritans, Anne Hutchinson, the Pilgrims, Mayflower, Pequot War, and Quakers

The Berkshires Cookbook: Farm-Fresh Recipes from the Heart of Massachusetts

American Cookery: The Historic Colonial Cookbook First Published in 1796

For more gift ideas, visit our store

Get TODAY's Amazon Deals NOW!

Find the BEST GENEALOGY-related stuff!

MASSACHUSETTS Gift t shirt Made in MASS, Got Wicked Class Unisex Softstyle T-Shirt

MASSACHUSETTS Gifts - Cranberries, Baked Beans and Fluffernutter - I Love Massachusetts! - Ceramic Mug MA

MASSACHUSETTS Roots Genealogy Coffee Mug - Celebrate Your Bay State Heritage!

MASSACHUSETTS Pride Coffee Cup - Made in Mass “Got Wicked Class” Mug