TERRE HAUTE —
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, which occurred on April 14-15, 1912. A number of people can trace their ancestry to a Titanic victim or survivor. To help us along, there is an extraordinary website that will likely answer just about any researcher’s questions about the individuals who sailed on that fateful voyage.
The site is at www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/. When you arrive at the site, go to the middle of the screen to start your searches. If you know the name of a particular person you want to research, type it into the name search. Otherwise, the Ancestry.com phrase, “you don’t have to know what you’re looking for, you just have to start looking,” certainly applies to this website. Starting your search at any one of the links will get you into the site and all of the possibilities. There is information on every person who was on the ship, and you can do searches in several different ways. You can search for a list of the survivors, the casualties, the crew (divided into what job they performed), 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class passengers, the children, the servants, the orchestra, bodies picked up by the rescue ships, passengers who got off early at either Cherbourg, France, or Queensland, Ireland (thus escaping the fate of the others), who was in which lifeboat, whether a body was recovered or lost at sea, where buried, and biographies. This is just a partial list.
Since I don’t have a known relative who was on the Titanic, I started my search for a well-known passenger — the unsinkable Molly Brown. I clicked on “survivors” to get the list. Scrolling down to the Browns, I discovered that her given name was Margaret, she was 44 years old at the time, in 1st class, ticket number 17610, cost of ticket was £27 14s 5d, she embarked at Cherbourg, France, and was in lifeboat number 6. Clicking on the link for lifeboat 6, I got a list of the 22 others who were in her boat. Lifeboat 6 had two crew members in it, one 3rd class passenger, and the rest of the occupants were 1st class passengers, two of whom were servants. The two crewmen were men, as was the one third class passenger. All of the rest were women.
My second search was for another well-known passenger, John Jacob Astor, who did not survive. I chose “victims” from the menu and scrolled to his name. Astor was age 47, was in 1st class, ticket number 17757, and cost of his ticket was £247 10s 6d. He embarked at Cherbourg, his occupation was property developer/real estate, and his body was recovered, body number 124. Clicking on 124, I retrieved information about the body: male, estimated age 50, hair and mustache light, clothing blue serge suit, blue handkerchief, belt with gold buckle, brown boots with red rubber soles, brown flannel shirt with “J. J. A.” on back of collar. Personal effects: gold watch; cuff links, gold with diamond; diamond ring with three stones; £225 and $2440 in notes; £5 in gold; 7s in silver; five 10 franc pieces; gold pencil; pocketbook. Going back to “survivors,” I found the name of John Jacob’s 18-year-old wife, Madeleine Talmage Astor, who was in lifeboat 4.
Another site at www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/titanic.html breaks down the passengers into different categories and compares them statistically; for instance, 75 percent of the women, 50 percent of the children, and 19 percent of the men survived. Other groups are compared by class, by nationality, and by lifeboat. The site lists 28 nationalities onboard. Besides the passengers from English-speaking countries, the highest totals go to Swedes (113), Syrians (81), Finns (59), Austro-Hungarians (49), Bulgarians (33), and French (31).
Both of these websites are quite informative for someone researching the people of the Titanic.
History
GENEALOGY: Many people can trace ancestry to Titanic
- History
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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‘Far-sound’ rings in a new era
This week’s Historic Treasure is an invention that changed life, as we know it in a great way, the telephone.
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Historical perspective: Venard: soldier in the War of 1812
His name was Stephen Venard. For more than 50 years he resided in Terre Haute, without fanfare, with his wife and a daughter. Much of that time was spent in the 400 block on N. First St.
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Looking Back: 2003: Mark Cook brings blues home
Mark Cook returned to Terre Haute to play with fellow musicians in the Cook-N-Blues group at Brazil and Terre Haute.
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Historical perspective: Attempted carriage-jacking thwarted
Nineteenth century newspapers covered several topics that might astonish current readers. For example, the front page of the Terre Haute Weekly Gazette on Nov. 16, 1878 – 135 years ago – reported on the bold attempt by four “villains” to rob two women riding in a carriage immediately west of the fairgrounds at Brown and Wabash avenues:
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Genealogy: Dutchman seeks family of missing soldier
Query: I live in the Netherlands and recently I have adopted the name of American PFC Joseph P. Nelson at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. He was killed in action on Dec. 5, 1944, and his name is on the Walls of the Missing.
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Sewing Society keeps hospital in linen, supplies
When Tracy Pruitt came across a small box of old ledgers and receipt books recently, his first impulse was to throw it away. But he decided to sit down and examine its contents. In doing so, he discovered a story.
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Looking Back: 1963: Officials prepare for disaster
City officials were studying survival plans in case of a natural disaster or attack by an enemy source. Gilbert Leonard was the director of Vigo County Defense.
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Genealogy: Gold Star Honor Roll: Vigo County
This week continues with the Gold Star Honor Roll (those who died in WW I) from the Wabash Valley. The Vigo County list is long and will be run in three parts.
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River boat models capture glory of former culture
In the River portion of the latest exhibit at the Vigo County Historical Society museum are two models of river paddle boats created by Alfred F. Nehf.
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Historical perspective: Babe Holland: advocate for equality
Wherever Terre Haute native William Sylvester Holland roamed, he made an impact.
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Historical Perspective: Terre Haute’s architectural heritage
Much more than is commonly recognized, Terre Haute has a rich and diverse legacy of landscapes designed by some of the nation’s most talented architects.
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Genealogy: A search for names from broken stones
This week there is a query about an old cemetery in Parke County, that is believed to have been destroyed:
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Hidden treasures: Laborers phased out by machines
Today’s historical treasure will intone to many people an early experience of practical labor. For others, this artifact might lack a contextual notion.
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Looking back: 2003: Two men rob Terre Haute First National Bank
Two men robbed Terre Haute First National Bank’s banking center at Southland Plaza, South Seventh Street and Margaret Avenue. It was the first bank robbery in Terre Haute since November 2000.
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Interurban makes city Crossroads of America
Electric transportation is not a new technology. With the arrival of the electric car we are reminded that electric technology has a long history in Terre Haute.
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The tale of the Wabash River
On March 14, 1913, the Indiana General Assembly adopted “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” by Terre Haute native Paul Dresser, as Indiana’s state song.
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