Bridget Bird Carlin Raised Granddaughter Solo

Bridget Bird Carlin (1831-1907) raised her granddaughter, Agnes Rose Healy, in Astoria NY, alone after her daughter Kate died in 1893.  An Irish immigrant, Bridget came to the US in 1850 at the age of 19, and married Patrick Carlin from County Tyrone Ireland.  Their son Nicholas was born in December 1855 when they lived in Newtown, an old name for Astoria in Queens County, New York, on Long Island.  "Newtown" has long since ceased to be used. 

Daughter Catharine (Kate) was born in 1865.  In 1887, Bridget's husband Patrick died and in 1892, Bridget now widowed, Nicholas, Kate and Kate’s daughter Agnes Rose, can be found in the New York State census living in Long Island City, next door to and sometimes synonymous in records with Astoria.  Agnes Rose was born February 2, 1890 in Astoria; her father was a John Healy.  Kate briefly appears in the 1892 census record as “Kate Healy.” 

Agnes lost both her parents at a young age.  John Healy died in the early 1890’s and Kate died in 1893 when Agnes was three years old, leaving Grandmother Bridget, a 60-year old widow, to raise Agnes by herself in Astoria.  Below is a photo of Agnes at about the age of 6.  Bridget must have saved a great deal to be able to afford this photograph!

At the turn of the century in 1900, they can be found living at 7 North William Street in Astoria, Queens County, NY.  Bridget died on January 28, 1907, when Agnes was turning 17, marking the successful completion of Bridget's task to raise Agnes to adulthood.  Bridget's death certificate lists the address as 183 Main Street, Astoria and also lists her age as 70, which is almost certainly too young, as research shows her age at the time of death as 76 or 77.   This photo of Bridget below must have been taken not long before her death, probably in Astoria in the 1900’s.  But Bridget completed her mission to raise Agnes, who went on to have a successful marriage, three children (one of whom was my father), and had a long and happy life.