Titanic and the immigrants

The First class

Part of the people on the boat were "New rich" people (vs "Old rich"). The "New rich" were people who became wealthy thanks to their factories, industries... . For example : Molly Brown, she was a low-class woman and her husband built his own wealth in the USA. He discovered gold. The "Old rich" were people who were born rich thanks to legacy (= héritage).For example : Rose's family

The Third class

Most of the people who died were third-class people who wanted to immigrate to the USA to have a better life. Let's discover some of them!

Mr. William Henry Allen was born in Nottingham, England in early 1873. William was married in 1906 to Florence Ann Rigby The couple had no children. After staying with his parents for a short while in London, William decided to emigrate to the United States. I wished to find a good work. He planned to stay with his uncle who lived in New York City while he saved enough money to send for Florence to join him. William boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third class passenger. He was cheerful but also nervous about this new life. William died in the Titanic disaster and his body was never recovered. His estate worth £167 which administered to his widow on April 5, 1913.

Miss Ellen Corr was born in Corglass, Ireland on July 28, 1895. She was the daughter of farmer Charles Corr and Bridget Masterson who had ten children. Two of Ellen’s older siblings, Honor and Mary Kate, had already left Ireland and had settled in Manhattan. It was Ellen’s intention to join them there. She wanted to find a work as a domestic servant. At age 16, Ellen was among the younger of the Irish passengers traveling alone. Although she was excited to discover a new place, she also was edgy and doubtful. She survived to the disaster, on the night of the sinking Ellen was either on Lifeboat 14 or 16.

Mr. John Kennedy of Watergate, Ireland was born on April 11, 1888. He worked as a farm laborer in Limerick. He wanted to make a new life for himself and seek better opportunities in America and maybe to become wealthy. Therefore, he decided to emigrate to the States, with his ultimate destination being New York City. John boarded the Titanic on April 11, 1912 as a third class passenger. On the boat, he was concerned and jumpy about his future life however, he was also really glad because he had the courage to try. He survived to the disaster but died in 1918 World War I.

Miss Manta Josefina Nieminen, Age 29 Miss Manta Josefina Nieminen was born on December 15, 1882. She was the daughter of Selim and Maria Nieminen. She was unmarried and lived in Karinainen, near Turku, Finland. As her family was very poor, Manta began working as a maid at the age of nine. Since the age of eighteen she had supported her parents and had given them money. Manta then decided to emigrate to the United States with the expectation that she would continue to support her parents. When she boarded the Titanic, she was hopeful and determined. After the disaster, Manta’s body was never found, £50 in compensation was paid to her parents.