How can I contact a survivor

[Catherine Marie Curran]

Does anyone know of contacts for the 5 remaining survivors? If not, does anyone know of a place on the interne where I can read an interview with one?

 

[Andrew Maheux]

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

 

[Dave Gittins]

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.

 

[Aydan D Casey]

can anyone name the five remaining survivors ?

 

[Phillip Gowan]

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

 

[Phillip Gowan]

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

 

[Nathan Heddle]

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.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

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

 

[Shelley Dziedzic]

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.

 

[Mike Poirier]

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!

 

[Catherine Marie Curran]

Thanks for all your replies. I suppose that if I did contact one they would not reply. Which survivor was the one that Dave said was contacted and caused distress?

 

[Phillip Gowan]

Someone walked into Winnifred Van Tongerloo's nursing home and started questioning her about Titanic.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

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

 

[Amanda Ratliff]

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.

 

[Randy Bryan Bigham]

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

 

[Kaitlyn Robinson]

Does anyone know any of the survivors addresses? I'd like to send a letter.

 

[Daniel Sundkvist]

Hi! I am, in contrast to this thread, new here. But I have a little sunshine-story to tell, reading the messages from people here wanting to get in touch with a survivor. Back in 1992, when I was 15, I had the privilege of knowing the author Claes Goran Wetterholm. Well back then, before the real Titanic hype started after the movie, it was easier. Wetterholm simply and kindly gave me the address to Beatrice Sandstrom - the last survivor living in Scandinavia - and I, not very bashful, wrote to her with my many naive questions. I soon got a rather long reply from her where she told her story as best she could. I wrote back to thank her, and then received another reply! This went on for three years, with regular greetings for christmas and my birthday, until she died in 1995. The last letter, she wrote from her sickbed in the hospital shortly before her death. The letter was not readable, and was accompanied by a letter from her brother-in-law translating what she herself had tried to write. I never got to meet this kind and thoughtful woman in person, but she gave me something very precious I realise today; three years of attention. The year after, myself and a friend, Per Kristian Sebak, went to visit her grave (she is buried with her mother - also a Titanic survivor). I really have no point here, except to honour Miss Sandstrom and all the survivors who have done their best to fulfill the wishes of their "fans", and to say that some things have blown out of proportion after that movie.

 

[Kaitlyn Robinson]

Does anyone know how to contact Millvina Dean?

 

[Dave Tuttle]

The best way to contact Ms. Dean is to check the autograph convention schedule. She is a favorite of these tours. This way, you can meet her in person, at a time when you are certain that she is willing, and not invade her privacy. Plus, you can come away with a souvenir to boot.

 

[robin ayotte]

my brother in law used to work with one of the survivors she used to tell him a little about titanic