Thomas Ryan was born in St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands around 1884. He was the son of John Ryan (b. 1854) and Emma Jane Manning (b. 1858). His father was originally from St Martin's, Jersey and his mother from Somerset, England.

He had seven known siblings: William (b. 1879), James (b. 1881), Emma (b. 1887), Matthew (b. 1890), Mary (b. 1893), Charles (b. 1896) and Florence (b. 1889).

He first appears on the 1891 census as a 7-year-old living at 27 George Street, St Helier and his father was described as a general labourer. The family have moved to 3 Gas Lane, St Helier by the time of the 1901 census and Thomas has already left school and is working as an errand boy.

Thomas, known as Tom, was married in Southampton in 1908 to Georgina Beatrice Collins (b. 9 June 1888 in Southampton). They would have two daughters, Mabel Beatrice (b. 1908) and Florence Maud (1910-1997).

On the 1911 census Tom and his young family are resident at 43 Albert Road, Southampton and he was described as a ship's steward.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 6 April 1912, Tom gave his address as 87 Albert Road, (Southampton). His last ship had been the St Louis. As a third class steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s.

Tom Ryan died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

His widow Beatrice had been pregnant at the time of the sinking and gave birth to a daughter named Gladys later in 1912. Unfortunately, the child lived only a short while and died before the end of the year.

Following the loss of her husband, Beatrice Ryan was remarried in 1916 to George H. Dyer. She died in London in 1980 aged 91.