Who was Mrs Amy Frances Jacobsohn?

Mrs Amy Frances Jacobsohn was a 24 (twenty-four) year old English woman who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born as Amy Frances Cohen on April 8, 1888, in Lewisham, Kent, England, she led a life marked by early hardships, a tragic experience on the Titanic, and eventual relocation to Kenya.

Early Life and Family

Amy was born into a family with a complex background:

Father: Moreno Cohen (born 1856), likely of Jewish descent
Mother: Alice Frances Jones (born 1860), a psychiatric nurse from Woolwich, Kent
Siblings: Jaques Moise (born 1885) and Juli Rachel (born 1887)

Tragically, Amy’s father passed away in 1890 when she was only two years old. This loss set the stage for a challenging childhood.

Childhood Struggles

Amy’s early years were marked by instability and hardship:

In 1891, the family lived at 206 Albany Road, Peckham, London
Amy’s mother worked as a grocer to support the family
Unable to adequately care for her children, Amy’s mother placed them in care
The 1901 census recorded Amy and her sister as inmates at an infant orphan asylum in Wanstead, Essex

A New Family Name

In 1902, Amy’s mother remarried Frederick Alexander Christy, an importer of textile spinning machines. Although Mr. Christy passed away less than a year later, Amy and her sister adopted the Christy surname, perhaps in an attempt to forge a new identity after their difficult early years.

Marriage and Life Before the Titanic

Amy’s life took a turn towards stability when she married Sydney Samuel Jacobsohn, a South African-born lawyer, on September 6, 1910, in London. The couple’s early married life included:

A honeymoon in Torquay, where Sydney drew up his will
Settling in London at 7 Pembridge Square
Appearing on the 1911 census as visitors at the Hotel Inverness, Inverness Terrace, 11 Gumleigh Road, Ealing
The tragic loss of their first child, a daughter who died at birth

The Titanic Journey

On April 10, 1912, Amy and Sydney boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as second-class passengers. Their travel details included:

Ticket number: 243847
Ticket cost: £27
Destination: Montréal, Québec
Traveling companions: Amy’s sister Rachel Juli and their widowed mother Alice Frances Christy

Survival and Loss

The Titanic’s sinking on April 15, 1912, marked a pivotal moment in Amy’s life:

Amy, her sister, and her mother survived the disaster
Sydney Jacobsohn perished in the sinking, his body never identified

In the aftermath, Amy sent a poignant telegram:

“Don’t be alarmed Sydney may be on another boat”

This message reflects the confusion and hope that many survivors clung to in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

Life After the Titanic

Legal Battles and Inheritance

Upon returning to London, Amy faced legal challenges:

In July 1912, she initiated legal proceedings to secure Sydney’s estate
The will, witnessed by Mr. and Mrs. Wright during their honeymoon, left everything (£4017, 1s, 7d) to Amy
Sydney’s brother waived all claims to the estate
The estate was settled on October 7, 1912

New Beginnings

Amy’s life took several turns in the years following the Titanic disaster:

She remarried, becoming Mrs. William Fenwick
Had two children: Ann and Douglas
Lived in Nairobi, Kenya for a period
Returned to England briefly before going back to Nairobi

Final Years and Legacy

Amy’s later life was marked by:

A period of ill health
Spending her final days in the Maia Carberry Nursing home in Nairobi
Passing away on July 9, 1947, at the age of 59 (fifty-nine)
Being laid to rest at City Park Cemetery Nairobi, Kenya

Amy Frances Jacobsohn’s life story is a testament to resilience in the face of early hardship and tragedy. From her challenging childhood to surviving one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters, Amy’s journey reflects the complex tapestry of human experience in the early 20th century. Her survival of the Titanic and subsequent life in Kenya add a unique perspective to the diverse stories of Titanic survivors.