Family tradition is that she came from Westport, County Mayo, but her brother Michael was born in nearby Newport. Probably born 1827-1830. She consistently misreported her true age. Arrived in the US supposedly aged 18 on the Ship Fidelia on 21 Feb 1849 at the Port of New York. With her were her parents and several siblings as well as her future husband, John Welch who she married in Syracuse on 13 Oct 1849. At least two of Bridget's other siblings, John and Michael Murray, had come to Syracuse by way of Canada in 1846. They likely came to join other Murray relatives who already lived in Syracuse. The Murray families all lived near each other on Adams and nearby streets for a number of years.

Bridget Murray and John Welch had at least 4 (and probably more) children. Three survived to adulthood and have living descendants today. Surname WELCH

1. Edward Augustine (1854-1936) m. Sarah McCarthy
2. John J. (1856-1937) m. Anna Manley
3. Thomas (1857-1859)
4. Maria (1859-1941) m. Charles M. Smith; m2 Fred W. Spier

John Welch died of mouth cancer in Jan 1862 and Bridget married second James Richardson on 21 Mar 1863 at old St. Mary's Cathedral. They had three known children: Surname RICHARDSON

1. Anna (1864-1882)
2. Mary Jane (1867-1935) m. George Hocknell; m.2 Charles H. Cavanaugh
3. Ellen M. 'Nellie' (1869-1960) m. John Francis Dunn.

James Richardson was grievously wounded in the Civil War and died in Syracuse 3 May 1873. His burial place is not known. Bridget remained a widow for the rest of her life moving from place to place. For the last several years of her life Bridget lived with her daughter Nellie (Ellen) and son-in-law, John F. Dunn. She is buried with John F. Dunn and two of her Dunn grandsons in the Dunn Family plot in St. Agnes Cemetery. Her headstone has her born in 1836 which is not correct.