Mr Thomas Peter O'Connor was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England around 1868, the son of Peter O'Connor and his wife Sarah (?) McDade (?). His parents are believed to have been Irish immigrants (possibly from Co Donegal) but no further information about Thomas' early life is available.
He was married on 12 February 1892 in St Anne's Church, Liverpool to Emily Alice Woods (b. 1869 in St Helens, Lancashire). At the time their residence was listed as 74 Smithdown Lane, Liverpool. The couple had a total of eight children, with four living past infancy: Edith (b. 1895), Eleanor Elizabeth (1896-1974), John Joseph (b. 1898), Thomas Edward (1900-2004), Christopher (b. 1901), Daniel Peter (b. 1906) and Emily Edith (1911-1916).
Thomas was absent from the 1901 census when his wife, described as a greengrocer, and his two children Eleanor and Thomas were living at 1 March Road, West Derby, Lancashire. They would move to 12 Linacre Lane, Bootle by the time of the 1911 census and Thomas was described as a ship's steward. Although not stated on the census, it is likely his wife was still working in the greengrocer's trade and his eldest daughter Eleanor was described as a greengrocer's assistant.
Thomas was on board the Titanic for her delivery trip from Belfast to Southampton. When he signed-on again, in Southampton, on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as 12 Linacre Lane, Liverpool. His previous ship had been the Celtic and as a bedroom steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s.
Thomas O'Connor died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.
Number 538. O'Connor, E. E., widow and two daughters and three sons. All class B dependants. - Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund
His family placed the following memorial in the Liverpool Echo on 15 April 1939:
O'CONNOR--In sad but loving memory of my dear husband, Thomas O'Connor (Tom), who lost his life in the Titanic disaster, April 15, 1912. R.I.P. (Sadly missed by his sorrowing wife and children)--49, Linacre-lane, Bootle.
His widow Emily never remarried and continued to live in Liverpool, later living at 49 Caldwell Road, Allerton where she died on 28 October 1962 aged 93.
Thomas Peter O'Connor is remembered on his wife's headstone in Yew Tree Catholic cemetery, West Derby, Liverpool, Section 4B, Plot 123.
I am researching my gg uncle Thomas Peter O Connor Cabin steward some of the information on line seems to be incorrect I would like to put forward my findings . I am new to this whole sight so would appreciate help in this.I also have some questions for the future. Thank you.Jenny
Thomas was 43/44 when he died(census 1871 81 91) He lived at 12 Linacre lane L'pool Have photo of property. Looking for a photo of him. What is a "victualling" steward? Jenny
Jenny, the 'victualling' department included all the crew members who were on board to look after the passengers rather than the ship - in other words, the hotel and catering staff.
are there any lists of "next of kin" or dependants for crew members who lost their lives? Jenny
Jenny, the names of victims' dependents and other details can be found in the records of the Titanic Relief Fund. If you don't get a response here, try asking in this thread:
Bob thank you for putting me in touch with the relief fund message board it produced surprising results I hope for more Jenny
Does anyone know of the "duties" of the crew who took the Titanic from Belfast to Southampton?
I now have his MC and BC for 2 of his 5 children Sadly the names do not appear on the relief fund I am still hoping to find names for the 3 younger ones especially as we always thought he hadnt married.
the reason I thought he was on the Olympic was the list of crew signing the on the Titanic in Belfast says this. His signing on papers in Southampton (have a copy) list the Celtic are there records of this Belfast signing on at Kew that I could look at? jenny
recent research at Kew I found from 11/12 1911 -09 03 1912 Thomas signed up on the Celtic.- viewed his signing on papers. On the 11/12 1911 papers he is given as comimg from the Mauretania. I understand these papers are with L'pool University archive will try to get access. Jenny
Congrats on the work you've done, Jennifer! Which papers are you looking for - the crew agreements for the Mauretania? I don't imagine they'd be with the Cunard archives in Liverpool. She's listed as a 'Celebrated Ship', and all her agreements are held at Kew. Pre December 1911, these are: BT100/208 through to BT 100/230. BT 100/230 would be a good place to start working from - these cover the period September - November 1911. Work backwards from there.
My sincere thanks to Dave Fredericks and Brian Ticehurst over recent months in helping me with my, for me, new research into my g-grandfather Thomas Peter O'Connor. It is still on-going. So far I have the following, much it from Dave Fredericks himself. I would be very glad of any further information: Thomas Peter O’Connor, First Class Bedroom Steward was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, in 1868. He married Emily Edith Woods ('Nell') on 12th February 1892, and they had five children when he joined RMS Titanic. When signing on to Titanic, Thomas gave his age as 39 (although he was actually...
You are very welcome Nick :)
Thomas peter o connor was my Gt.Uncle have been doing research on him for some time.have similar info to Nick Regans would love to get in touch with him . My Gt.grandmother was Thomas elder sister . jenlaw
Just one thing Nick regarding the addresses - My money is on the census. In 1911, the residents filled out the paperwork themselves so it unlikely that he would have written his own address incorrectly, or whoever the head of the household was. There are a monstrous amount of errors on the signing on particulars so this is probably yet another occasion.