Berta Olivia Nilsson

Who was Berta Olivia Nilsson?

Berta Olivia Nilsson was a Swedish Titanic survivor who embarked on a journey that would shape her entire life. Born on February 22, 1894, in Ransbysäter, Lysvik, Värmland, Sweden, Berta was just 18 (eighteen) years old when she boarded the ill-fated RMS Titanic as a third-class passenger. Her survival of the tragic sinking marked the beginning of a life filled with resilience, love, and the weight of an unforgettable historical event.

Early Life and Family

Berta was born into a large Swedish family, the daughter of Nils Nilsson (1866-1917) and Ingeborg Johannesdotter (b. 1866). Her parents, natives of Lysvik, had married in 1888, six years before Berta’s birth. As one of eight children, Berta grew up in a bustling household. Her siblings included:

Per Johan (b. 1888)
Nils Adolf (b. 1890)
Maria Karolina (b. 1891)
Selma Emelia (b. 1896)
Johan Helmer (b. 1899)
Hanna Frideborg (b. 1902)
Hilma Sofia (b. 1904)

This large family setting likely instilled in Berta the resilience and adaptability that would serve her well in the challenges to come.

The Titanic Journey: A Fateful Voyage

Why was Berta on the Titanic?

Berta’s presence on the Titanic was tied to a romantic journey. She was engaged to her cousin, Edvard Larsson-Rondberg (b. 1889), a cook who had emigrated to the United States in 1908 and settled in Missoula, Montana. Edvard had returned to Sweden to fetch Berta, and together they embarked on what was supposed to be the beginning of their new life together in America.

Titanic Ticket Details

Ticket Number: 347066
Passenger Class: 3rd Class
Ticket Cost: £7, 15s, 6d (equivalent to £7.78 in decimal currency)

The Night of the Sinking

On the night of April 14, 1912, Berta was asleep when the Titanic struck the iceberg. Her fiancé, Edvard, woke her with the alarming news that his cabin in the forward quarters had filled with water. Demonstrating quick thinking, Berta dressed in heavy clothing and made her way to the communal steerage areas.

Despite her short stature, Berta’s determination allowed her to navigate through the chaos and reach the upper decks. This journey through the labyrinthine interior of the sinking ship must have been terrifying, yet Berta’s survival instinct prevailed.

Survival and Rescue

Berta survived the sinking, though the exact lifeboat she boarded remains uncertain (possibly #16). During those harrowing hours in the lifeboat, she prayed fervently for her survival. Tragically, her fiancé Edvard did not survive the disaster.

Life After the Titanic

Immediate Aftermath

Upon arrival in New York, Berta received $50 from the “Women’s Relief Committee.” On April 26, she passed through St. Paul, Minnesota, continuing westward with other Scandinavian survivors, including Carl Olof Jansson, Oscar Hedman, and Anna Sjöblom.

A New Life in America

Following the loss of her fiancé, Berta began a relationship with Lars Oskar Persson (b. January 27, 1890), another Swedish immigrant. They had a son, Leonard (1916-1983), but their relationship was cut short when Persson died from influenza in 1918, just a year after Berta’s father passed away in Sweden.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Left as a single mother, Berta demonstrated remarkable resilience. By 1920, she was working as a hospital tray girl in Butte, Silver Bow, Montana, supporting herself and her young son.

A New Chapter: Marriage and Family

On December 16, 1920, Berta married Hans Aron Christensen (b. May 1, 1890), a Swedish carpenter who had emigrated in 1910. Their meeting had a touch of heroism - Hans had reportedly rescued Berta’s young son from bullies. This union brought four more children into Berta’s life:

Arthur (b. 1922)
Marian Bernice (1923-1988, later Mrs. William James McCrum)
Ruth Loraine (1925-2003, later Mrs. Carl Gabriel)
Dorothy June (1926-2010, later Mrs. George John Cherry)

Later Years and Legacy

A Life in Chicago

In the mid-1920s, Berta and her family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where they would remain. Interestingly, Berta’s Titanic experience remained a secret from her family until the 1950s. It was only while watching the TV movie “A Night to Remember” with her daughter that Berta broke down and revealed her survival story.

In her later years, Berta gave several interviews about her Titanic experience, contributing to the historical record of this tragic event.

Final Years

Berta faced further challenges when her husband was involved in a serious car crash in the 1950s. Following his death in 1973, she lived at 4205 Fullerton Avenue, Chicago. Berta Olivia Nilsson passed away on December 27, 1976, at the age of 82 (eighty-two), following a stroke. She was laid to rest in Mount Olive Cemetery in Chicago.

Berta Olivia Nilsson’s life story is a testament to human resilience. From surviving one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters to overcoming personal tragedies and building a new life in America, Berta’s journey embodies the spirit of many immigrants who helped shape the United States in the early 20th century. Her survival of the Titanic disaster, kept secret for so many years, serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact historical events can have on individual lives.