Mr James Scanlan was born on 24 December 1891 in Rathkeale Workhouse in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, Ireland.
He was the son of John Scanlan (b. 1865), a labourer, and his wife Catherine, also Scanlan (b. 1866) who were married on 10 September 1890.
One of six surviving children from a total of ten, James' known siblings were: William (b. 13 November 1887), Mary Catherine (b. 5 March 1894), Patrick (b. 2 March 1900), Edward (b. 1902) and Cornelius (b. 1904).
James appears on the 1901 census living at house 13, Borheen, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, later listed on the 1911 census at house 12 in the same parish and being described as an unmarried labourer.
He boarded the Titanic at Queenstown as a third class passenger of 11 April 1912 (ticket number 36209 which cost £7, 14s, 6d). His destination was New York City where his sister Kate had previously emigrated to in October 1910 aboard the Arabic.
James Scanlan died in the disaster and his body, if recovered, was never identified.
His parents later received £30 aid from the Titanic Relief Fund and they later made a claim for £20,000 for the loss of their son against White Star Line. What became of the family is unclear.
Help Wanted Please, I am trying to trace relatives
It appears there's not much more information readily available. In Craig Stringer's CD "Titanic People" it states that James was the son of John and Catherine Scanlan and brother to Kate, William, Patrick, Edward, and Cornelius. His parents made a claim against the White Star Line for $20,000 and they also received £30 from the British Titanic Relief Fund. I hope these details may give a few more leads for further enquiries.
Hello Tony, What can I say but a thousand sincere thank you's.All the information you post was new to me, I was near to tears, as I read it ,as I am named after Catherine this is what my late Grandmother told me many years ago. Its really only this year when I have decided its time now to do the research.What made me start was a visit to Cobh in Ireland last year (first time) I went on the Titanic Trail and was hooked, for years I have had a fascination about New York Harbour, the Titanic and Irish family roots. It was by chance that we chose Cobh for our short break, yet it has been the...
1901 Census of Ireland - Rathkeale, Co Limerick: SCANLAN Parents - John (30), labourer. Kate (40). Children: James (10), William (13), Kate (8), Patrick (1). 1911 Census - ibid John (45), labourer. Catherine (45). Married 20 years, ten children, six alive. William (24), labourer, James (20), labourer, Patrick (11), Edward (9), Cornelius (7).