Thursday, April 26, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: April 26


April 26, 1912 – Two 16-year-old Swedish girls and a big strapping countryman, survivors of the Titanic wreck, sat in the waiting room of the St. Paul Union Station today. Their names were Anna Sjoblum, Bertha Neilson and Paul Johnson, representing a handful saved from a party of home-seekers who were being brought to the United States by Oscar Hedman, connected with a St. Paul land company. Hedman was with them when the Titanic sank April 15, 1912.

Anna is on her way to join her father in Olympia, Wash., Bertha is enroute to Missoula, Mont., where she has a sister, and Johnson will find work in the Twin Cities.

Hedman says Johnson remained on the ship when she made the final plunge, standing almost straight upward with her screw propellers showing. When he came up he was in the midst of a mass of human bodies, but managed to crawl over them to a stateroom door floating beyond. He lay on this door the entire time until the Carpathia arrived. Hedman was picked up by a lifeboat.


Titanic1


When the three left New York they were given $25 each by the Red Cross committee and tickets to their destination by the White Star Line.


The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Wrecked Home seekers Here. “Two Girls and Man From Sweden, Titanic Passengers, Arrive in Twin Cities.”; April 2, 1912; p. 16.

1http://www.documentarytube.com/articles/top-7-strangely-unique-things-that-sank-with-titanic
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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including:
census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

                                                         


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