Who was Mrs Anna Bernhardina Skoog?

Mrs Anna Bernhardina Skoog was a 43-year-old (forty-three) Swedish passenger who tragically perished aboard the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born as Anna Bernhardina Karlsdotter in 1868, she was a devoted wife and mother who had experienced life both in Sweden and the United States before her fateful journey on the Titanic.

Early Life and Family

Anna Bernhardina Karlsdotter was born on November 13, 1868, in Kinne-Vedum, Skaraborg, Sweden. She was the daughter of Karl Eriksson and Maria Greta Andersdotter, who had married on August 22, 1858. Anna came from a large family, with several siblings:

Three sisters: Hedda Sofia, Eva Charlotta, and Kristina Elisabet
Three brothers: Hugo Gilbert, Erik Gustaf, and Carl Ludvig

Sadly, Anna experienced loss early in life:

Her brothers Hugo Gilbert and Erik Gustaf passed away in 1869
Her mother died on March 31, 1886
Her father passed away on January 21, 1893

Early Career and Life in Stockholm

After her mother’s death, Anna’s life took a new direction:

In 1890, she lived in Kårtorp, Kinne Vedum’s parish, with her widowed father and sister Kristina
On June 13, 1891, she moved to Stockholm to work as a maid
Her first residence was at Vasagatan 14 in Klara parish, working for clerk Gösta Miles Karlström and his mother

Anna’s career as a maid continued to evolve:

In April 1894, she briefly worked for grocer Friedrich Weisner
By April 30, 1894, she had moved to Brahegatan 4 in Hedvig Eleonora parish
In 1895, she lived and worked at Riddargatan 4, alongside several other maids

Marriage and Family Life

Anna’s life took another significant turn when she moved from Stockholm to Sjörås, Forshem. There, on June 5, 1898, she married Wilhelm Johansson Skoog. The couple’s family life was marked by both joy and sorrow:

Their first son, Johan Erik, was born on June 18, 1899, but tragically died on September 16, 1899
The couple moved to Österplana on November 16, 1899
Soon after, they made plans to move to America

Life in America

The Skoog family settled in Iron Mountain, Michigan, where they expanded their family:

Karl Torsten (born 1900)
Mabel (born 1902)
Harald (born 1906)
Margit Elizabeth (born 1910)

The Fateful Titanic Journey

In November 1911, the Skoog family made a decision that would ultimately lead to their tragic fate:

They returned to Sweden but soon regretted the move
Plans were made to return to America
On April 10, 1912, they boarded the Titanic at Southampton as third-class passengers
Their ticket (number 347088) cost £27 18s
Two relatives, Elin Petterson and Jenny Henriksson, joined them on the journey

What happened to the Skoog family on the Titanic?

Tragically, the entire Skoog family, including Anna, her husband Wilhelm, and their four children, were lost when the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912. None of their bodies were ever recovered, adding to the heartbreak of this family’s story.

Anna Skoog’s Legacy

While Anna Bernhardina Skoog’s life was cut short at the age of 43 (forty-three), her story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives affected by the Titanic disaster. Her journey from a small Swedish town to the ill-fated liner encapsulates the dreams and aspirations of many immigrants of her time, seeking a better life across the Atlantic.

Anna’s tale, intertwined with those of her family members, continues to be remembered and honored over a century later, ensuring that the human cost of the Titanic tragedy is never forgotten.