Helena Wilhelmina Rosblom (née Raula) was born 22 April 1870 in Ylikeeri, near Raumo, Finland, to Gustaf Lovisasson, a farmer b. 17 November 1828 at Lappi, Åbo, and Ulrika Wilhelmina (nee Gabrielsdotter/Gabrielintytär; b. 1 May 1835 at Laitila) Raula.
Her mother had been working as a maid prior to her marriage, which took place 21 December 1862.
Helena's known brothers and sisters included Gustaf Reinhold, b. 12 July 1863, and Karl Wiktor, b. 14 March 1865.
She was married to Viktor Rosblom (b. 8 January 1871) and had three surviving children: Viktor Rikard (b. 1894), Eino Wilhelm, (b. 2 February 1900) and Salli Helena (b. 1910).1 The family lived in Raumo, Åbo och Björneborgs County, Finland.
By 1912 her husband Viktor had already spent time in the USA, arriving in New York on 5 February 1905 aboard the Oceanic and he spent around three years there before returning to Finland. He left Finland again, this time arriving in New York aboard the Adriatic on 31 March 1910. From there he settled in Seaside, Clatsop County, Oregon.
Mrs Rosblom decided to join her husband in Oregon and left Finland on 23 March 1912 with her son Viktor and her daughter Salli. She encountered resistance from her middle child Eino who did not wish to leave, fearing he was to "go with them to drown," so he remained behind in Finland.
Originally scheduled to travel aboard Olympic, upon arrival in Southampton her daughter Salli became ill and their departure was postponed. They eventually boarded Titanic on 10 April 1912 as third class passengers (ticket number 370129 which cost £20, 4s, 3d).
Mrs Rosblom, along with her two children, all died in the sinking and their bodies, if recovered, were never identified. Her husband had been unaware that they had been travelling aboard Titanic and it was only weeks later that he discovered the truth. He later received £100 in compensation.
Almost two years after the sinking Mrs Rosblom's only surviving child Eino finally braved the ocean and crossed on the Cedric, arriving in New York on 22 March 1914. He was reunited with his father in Seaside, Oregon where they would spend the rest of their lives, assimilating by Anglicising their surname to "Ross."
Viktor Rosblom never remarried and lived with his son until his death on 22 February 1933 aged 62.
Eino, following the death of his father, later co-habited with a lady named Hilma Hannelius (b. 1889), also from Finland, although it is not clear if they were ever married. Eino died in 1963 aged 63.
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Hello, I have an old Finnish Bible from Astoria, Oregon, that has an inscription inside that says; Titanicin(or Titanic) haaksi s(r)ilko April 10 Pair(s)eu,or Paiva 1912. It is hard to read, so I am not sure of the spelling, and I cannot read Finnish. I do know that it is a reference to the departure date of the Titanic. There were 4 Finnish passengers, who died on the Titanic, whose final destination was Astoria, Oregon.I am trying to translate the inscription and to see if there is a connection with this bible. The Finnish family, who had this bible (since1866) names were Sophie(or Sophia), and Mariya Pekkala, or Pekkalan. Other names are Magdalena, Annala, and Josephi Ostrom. If anyone can help me with this, I would greatly appreciate it.
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