Bing Crosby

cover of album ”Hey Jude/Hey Bing!” by Bing Crosby, 1969, photo credit: kevindooley

Birth Name: Harry Lillis Crosby, Jr.

Date of Birth: May 3, 1903

Place of Birth: Tacoma, Washington, U.S.

Date of Death: October 14, 1977

Place of Death: Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain

Ethnicity: English, Irish

Bing Crosby was an American singer and actor. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Going My Way (1944). He is also known for starring in the film White Christmas (1954), and his rendition of the song of the same name.

His father, Harry Lincoln/Lowe/Louis Crosby, was of English descent, including Colonial American ancestors in New England. His mother, Catherine/Katie Cordelia (Harrigan), was born in Stillwater, Washington, Minnesota, to Canadian parents, who were of Irish descent. Bing was raised Catholic.

Among his siblings were publicity director Larry Crosby and jazz singer and bandleader Bob Crosby. Bing was married to actress and nightclub singer Dixie Lee, until her death, and then to actress Kathryn Grant, until his death. He had four children with Dixie; and three, including actor and businessperson Harry Crosby, with Kathryn. Actress Denise Crosby is his granddaughter.

Bing’s patrilineal line can be traced to Anthony Crosby, who was born, c. 1545, in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire, England.

Bing’s paternal grandfather was Nathaniel Crosby (the son of Nathaniel Crosby and Mary Lincoln). Bing’s grandfather Nathaniel was born in Wiscasset, Lincoln, Maine, to parents from Brewster, Barnstable, Massachusetts; and was of English descent, from a family resident in New England since the 1600s. Bing’s great-grandfather Nathaniel was the son of Nathaniel Crosby and Ruby Foster. Mary was the daughter of Isaac Lincoln and Mary Foster.

Bing’s paternal grandmother was Cordelia Jane Smith (the daughter of Jacob Smith and Priscilla Fearnley). Cordelia was born in Covington, Fountain, Indiana. Priscilla was born in England.

Bing’s maternal grandfather was Dennis Harrigan (the son of Dennis Harrigan and Catherine Driscoll/Driscol). Bing’s grandfather Dennis was born in Williamstown, Northumberland County, New Brunswick, Canada, and was of Irish descent. Catherine was the daughter of Daniel O’Driscoll/Driscoll and Catherine Mahoney, who were from County Cork.

Bing’s maternal grandmother was Catherine Ahearn (the daughter of John Ahearn and Ann Meighan). Catherine was born in New Brunswick, to Irish parents.

Sources: Genealogies of Bing Crosby – https://www.geni.com
http://famouskin.com
http://www.findagrave.com

Genealogy of Bing Crosby (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.wikitree.com