Original Titanic Relief Fund

[Rick Gibbs (Rgibbs)]

Does anyone know where the books of the Mansion House Titanic Fund are located? The fund was eventually able to pass on compensation to family members of those who died.

I assume it contained the addresses of next-of-kin. I am looking for descendants of John Frederick Clarke (one of the musicians).

Rick Gibbs
[email protected]

 

[Ralph Dellar]

A. W. Barringer, Saloon Steward
I am looking for information of descendants/widow if any. It is rumored that a woman and son attempted to make a claim as survivors of A. W. Barringer, were denied, then disappeared.

What might the internet address and postal address be for Southampton Archives?
Even though the contributor will not allow copies to be made, would it be possible for the Southampton Archives to lookup if anyone named Barringer tried to make a claim, who she was, what address she gave, name of child, ....?

Hello from Chicago, Illinois, USA

 

[Hermann Söldner]

Dear Ralph Dellar,

the dependants of Arthur William Barringer were:

Ethel Isobel Barringer (widow)
Dorothy Ethel Barringer (daughter)
Eric Barringer (son)

Hermann Söldner
Germany

 

[John Stocker]

Hello everyone,
While we are on the subject of disaster relief funds, does anyone have, or know if there is a record of some sort preserved, which shows which survivors received help from the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund, which was started by Mayor Gaynor in New York, to help the survivors? I would be most interested in seeing these. Any information would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance,
John Stocker
Key West, Florida

 

[pat toms]

it is intresting ti note that the pensions were paid out by the scottish widows and when i enquired they did not know anything about it how do i know because my grandmother was a recipient of this pension unfortunately hen i returned from canada all the papers that i gave to the solicitors who were trevanion and curtis were got rid of or destroyed under the 20 year rule therefore i had to do research from scratch also it is intresting to note that also all the records of the recipients were also destroye by the insurance company scottish widows that paid out the pensions

 

[Ralph Dellar]

Hi Hermann,
Thank you so very much for providing information so quickly about A. W. Barringer's descendants. I have been trying to trace him for 5 years with little luck. Now I can start again using this new information. Were any ages given in the records, their address (if different from 52 Padwell), place of birth, ...?

From what source did you find the information (from the Mansion House Titanic Fund in the Southampton Archives, or from another source)?

Thanks again!

 

[Hermann Söldner]

Hi Ralph,

only names, relationship and allowances are given in the Titanic Relief Fund Booklet, which I have the information from. For more details you will have to write to the Mayor of London's archives. But I've been told, that the records are restricted

Hermann Söldner

 

[Mary Ellen Logan]

I would like to have more information on the Mansion Relief Fund. Who started it etc.?

Thanks

Mary Ellen

 

[Mike Herbold]

Mary Ellen:
Congratulations for finding this old thread.
Similar to the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 tragedies, there were many different Titanic relief funds that sprung up after the Titanic Disaster.

In Southampton, home of most of the crew, the stress was on relief for the widows and orphans of crew members. The book "Titanic Voices" has a dozen pages in the chapter "Relief Fund" devoted to the subject. Other Titanic classics, like Eaton and Haas' "Titanic: Triumph and Tragedy" and "Titanic: A Journey Through Time" have some interesting pictures and articles.

But the best source I've found, not counting some of the rare original booklets, is "The Titanic Disaster (As Reported in the British National Press April - July 1912)" by Dave Bryceson. Page 25 reprints an article from the Apri 17th "Daily Sketch" about Southampton's Mayor (Councillor H. Bowyer) calling upon the Lord Mayor of London to start a national relief fund.

Page 44 has a reprinted April 18th Sketch article entitled "Mansion House Fund," which has an open letter from Thomas Boor Crosby, the Lord Mayor dated The Mansion House, April 17th. In this letter he asks that donations be sent to the Mansion House or to the Bank of England, where an account "The Titanic Disaster Fund" has been opened.

Throughout the rest of "The Titanic Disaster" book there are many touching stories about this relief fund and others and updates on how much they had collected to date.

You have touched on a very interesting sidelight to the Titanic disaster. Fund-raising events took place all over the country, and many different organizations and newspapers helped out. Today, programs from some of the concerts that were held at the time are prized memorabilia.

 

[Geoff Whitfield]

Hello Mike & Mary Ellen, The Relief Fund was split up and controlled separately through various parts of the United Kingdom. I have found the Liverpool area records which were quite extensive. In 1914 and 1915 these funds merged (in Liverpool anyway) with collections/donations for the Empress of Ireland and Lusitania disasters.
It is interesting to see that the appointed "visitor" who made regular calls on the homes of all of the recepients, was none other than Mary Harrison, widow of Norman Harrison, Titanic's Junior Second Engineer.

 

[brenda daniels]

Joseph James Richards (Fireman)

I'm looking for information about the next of kin listed for the above name.....can anyone help?

 

[Brian J. Ticehurst]

Dear Brenda,
Here is a copy of the information on Mr. Richards that I have in my database:
Richards, Joseph James. Lived at 25 Summers Street, Northam, Southampton. Occupation - Fireman. 29 years old. (Born in Hampshire).
(Death Notice Southern Daily Echo 10th May 1912 and Hampshire Independent 4th, 11th May 1912).
Richards, Joseph.
Dearly Beloved Husband of Florence Richards, of 25, Summers Street, Northam.
Richards, Joseph James
Aged 29, Dearly Beloved Son of Mr. and Mrs. Richards of 34 Belvidere Terrace, Northam.
(From: Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund Booklet, March 1913)
Number 221. Richards, Florence Alice, widow. Child: Joseph Henry. Both class G dependants.
(From the Titanic Relief Fund Minute Book number 2, Southampton Area)
Date August 14th 1913.
Case number 221. Grant of 2/6d to provide a pair of spectacles - cost 2/6d.
(From the Titanic Relief Fund Minute Book number 2, Southampton Area)
Date January 29th 1914.
Case number C146. Mrs. Richards remarried on 16th December 1913 and the usual allowance was paid.
(From the Titanic Relief Fund Minute Book number 3, Southampton Area)
Date 27th June 1923.
The Committee authorises the continuance of Allowance of 3/- per week until 30th June 1924.
Named on the right hand panel of the St. Augustines Church Memorial, (Maritime Museum) Southampton.
Whose wife?
(From: Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund Booklet, March 1913)
Number 146. Richards, Ester, cohabitant. Children: Ivy Doreen and Winifred James. All class G dependants.
(Son of Mr. Mrs. Richards, 34 Belvidere Road, Northam. Southampton).
Named on the St. Agustines Church, Memorial, Northam, Southampton.

I hope that helps?
Cheers

Brian

 

[Inger Sheil]

Many thanks for posting that data, Brian. Welcome to ET, by the way - it's a delight to see one of the leading maritime research lights posting on the board. I've always appreciated the material you've shared from your database, and your generosity in doing so.

 

[brenda daniels]

Dear Brian

Thank-you so much for providing us with the information you had, it is much appreciated. The subject of enquiry was my husband's grandfather, who sadly he never got to meet.

Kind Regards

Brenda

 

[Hilary Popple]

Something not mentioned here is that I believe the Relief Fund also made payments to dependents to help in their chosen careers - my great-uncle received help for his apprenticeship as an electrician and two of my great-aunts for hairdressing and secretarial school respectively. I think this would have been in the 1920's. My grandfather was most peeved that this was introduced too late for him to qualify, being one of the older children!