Exploring the Crosby Family: From Elusive Ancestors to Hollywood Icons

​

The Maternal Crosby Lineage: A Genealogy Mystery

Family surnames often weave through both maternal and paternal lines. In my case, the Crosby name appears on my maternal side, through my grandmother. Her family name was Crosby, and she always told me that her ancestors were Irish. While this is likely true, my documented trail runs cold beyond my 2x great-grandfather, who was born in Upstate New York before being sent to a Toronto orphanage at age 10. Despite spending more than two decades searching, I’ve uncovered little about his ancestry. The maternal Crosby line remains a genealogical mystery—one that I hope to eventually unravel.

​

A Famous Paternal Connection: Bing Crosby

Interestingly, on my paternal side, I discovered a more well-known branch of the Crosby family: I am distantly related to Bing Crosby, the legendary singer and actor who became one of Hollywood’s iconic entertainers.

Bing Crosby is my 16th cousin, three times removed, and we share a common ancestry through my 18th great-grandparents, Baron Thomas Stanley and Baroness Joan Goushill. While I never met Bing or his immediate family, I grew up hearing his music and watching his films - my grandmother was a huge fan.

Among the keepsakes I inherited from her is a handheld record cleaner featuring Bing’s photo and signature—a cherished memento from her collection when she passed away in 2002.

​

Bing Crosby’s Legacy: More Than Just Entertainment

While I typically write family biographies, Bing Crosby's life and career are far too vast to summarize in a single article. His impact on music and film spanned over five decades, and countless biographies have explored his life - ranging from celebratory to critical.

In researching Bing and his immediate family, certain recurring themes surfaced: alcoholism, depression, and multiple marriages. These are not uncommon patterns in any family, including my own. However, for the Crosby family, fame brought these struggles into the public spotlight, making privacy nearly impossible.

​

Another Famous Relative: Denise Crosby of Star Trek Fame

To my surprise, I also discovered a connection to Denise Crosby, best known for her role as Lt. Tasha Yar on Star Trek: The Next Generation. I had always suspected a familial link to Bing Crosby, and my research confirmed that Denise is indeed his granddaughter.

Denise is the daughter of Dennis Crosby (Bing's son) and Marilyn Scott. Their relationship led to a very public and controversial paternity trial, which confirmed Dennis as her father. Despite this confirmation, Denise reportedly never met her grandfather, Bing Crosby—a fact that I find hard to reconcile with Bing's public image as a wholesome, fatherly figure.

​

Denise Crosby’s Career and Contributions

While her time on Star Trek: TNG was brief, Denise Crosby made a strong impression. Her character, Tasha Yar, was a bold and capable female officer—something relatively rare in early science fiction television.

I always wondered why her character was killed off early in the series but later reappeared in a few episodes. Upon deeper research, I learned that Denise chose to leave the show due to her role being sidelined. She wanted more depth and development for her character, a choice that makes sense when you revisit those early episodes.

Denise Crosby has since built a diverse and enduring career in both film and television, and she has even produced several Star Trek documentaries. Her Hollywood resume is impressive and speaks to her talent and longevity in the industry.

​

The Larger Crosby Family Tree

The Crosby family is filled with fascinating individuals—some well-known, others still waiting to be discovered. Each has their own story, and together they form a rich tapestry of American and Hollywood history.

While I don’t have plans to create a dedicated Crosby family genealogy website, there is certainly enough material to fill one. If you’re interested in diving deeper, a quick internet search will take you down a rabbit hole of Crosby family history—just be prepared to spend hours exploring!