How can I contact a survivor

Catherine, I don't think would be able to contact a survivor because the survivors are to old and they were very young at the time of the sinking, much of what they remember has allready been told. The only survivor active in conventions and interviews is Millvina Dean.

Happy Hollidays,

Andrew
 
The survivors are OUT OF BOUNDS. Some months ago some young idiot managed to contact one of them and caused a good deal of distress. A few fortunate people are in touch with some of them and will keep us informed of anything that matters I'm sure.
 
Winnifred Vera (Quick) Van Tongerloo (she'll be 97 next month)--lives in Michigan

Lillian Gertrud Asplund--she's 94--lives in Massachusetts

Michel Navratil--he's 92--lives in France

Barbara Joyce (West) Dainton--she's 89--lives in England

Elizabeth Gladys Millvina Dean--she's 88--lives in England
 
PS: Aydan--on the main page of Encyclopedia Titanica--click on "Frequently Asked Questions" and you'll find a lot of info on the 5 survivors as well as all of the survivors who have died since 1990.

Phil
 
Are you the keeper of the survivors gate, Dave?

It seems a little rude to suggest that people are looking for them just to harass them. I do understand that there are people out there that are stupid, but surely if we can't learn from survivors and our elders, who can we learn from.

If they don't want to talk, they or a family member will inform the inquirer so.
 
Nathan, some people may not be out to harass the remaining survivors (Not in their own minds anyway.) but what would you think of intrusive strangers showing up on your doorstep demanding information when all you want is to spend your remaining years in peace? That's precisely the problem Dave's statement addresses...and it's the family members who have been slamming the door shut or giving inquisitors the cold shoulder. Hard to blame them.

He's not pretending to be the keeper of the gates, and he's not the only one to say that the survivors are out of bounds. If you go to the FAQ page of Titanic International, this statement is repeated verbatim, and is well understood in the Titanic community.

I wouldn't mind meeting one of these people myself...in the proper forum where and only IF they made themselves available voluntarily. A THS or TI convention for example. But what could I learn from them? Not likely to be much as they were very young children at the time. (Melvina Dean was an infant.) I probably know more about the ship then they do.

Cordially,
Michael H. Standart
 
Celebrity-whether rock star or Titanic survivor is a mixed blessing. It is true that while many survivors enjoyed meeting people, lecturing and sharing their experience, some , like Mrs. Asplund, retains absolute privacy. I feel lucky for the years spent with these historic personalities-many were in good health and able to withstand the rigors of travel and large social gatherings. I know Eva Hart, although having to disappoint many of her admirers in later years, enjoyed receiving a card or note and as far as I know, any of the Titanic societies will happily forward holiday cards or short well-wishing messages on. Naturally, one cannot expect any answers to lengthy dispatches- or any answer at all- but it must be reassuring to know that so many people are thinking of one and respecting the remarkable place they have held in history. This , in my opinion holds true not just for Titanic personalities but seniors in general- who have seen, MADE, and lived history over the past 80 years- they are all treasures in my book.
 
Catherine
I think the better option is to try and find a relative of a deceased survivor. Or you could try and find survivors from another shipwreck ( which I find fascinating ). And should people insist on tracking down the remaining five- phone is never the answer. A simple letter would suffice. But at this stage of the game only 1 or possibly 2 might send a reply. With a letter- it is informal and the person can chose to throw it in the garbage and not reply.
And to Michael: Nathan was correct in answering Dave. There is no need to send such a nasty diatribe to a new member to the board. I don't care how good the intentions are. An attack is an attack. There is always a better ( calm, collected, cool ) way of saying things and Dave chose the opposite route.
Shelley I believe has sent the best answer to Catherine's request. Make this woman a diplomat!
 
Hi Mike, and point taken. Just to clear up any misunderstanding, I wasn't attempting to defend or denounce Dave's reaction. Merely explain it and the reasons behind it. If I ruffled any feathers, I apologize.

Cordially,
Michael H. Standart
 
I think that it is important to remember that we as people cherish the legacy of the RMS Titanic. Those who experianced it, and lost their fathers etc remember it as a dark period in their life. I'm sure it is something they wish to forget. It was a tragedy in their life. For many inquiries are like putting salt on the wound. I would love to meet a survivor, but understanding what I just said, I am perfectly content with interviews, tv shows, and books of their written accounts. The last thing I want is to plague someone into reliving the most horrific night in their life.
 
All,

Tracy is certainly right that JJ was good looking. He was appealing in the way of the dapper sportsman. I think his features were more angular compared to later generations and really I think that's what we meant. JJ had an air of assurance about him which made him attractive, not to mention all that cash!

Madeleine was also not at all unattractive and by going on about the first Mrs. JJ, I did not mean to cut her down. In fact she had quite regular looks for the time. She wasn't a glam girl, that's true; afterall JJ had had enough of all that preening with Ava who was notoriously vain and not nearly so sweet as Madeleine. He would hardly have wanted a repeat of Ava's extravagance and showiness. Still, however much a bi_ch Ava Astor may have been (and as Lady Ribblesdale later she showed her claws quite a few times), there's no discounting that the woman was gorgeous to a fault.

Randy
 
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