Dollina Margaret Ford

Who was Miss Dollina Margaret Ford?

Miss Dollina Margaret Ford was a 20-year-old English servant who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in Hadlow Down, Sussex, England on June 13, 1891, she was the eldest child of Edward Ford and Margaret Ann Watson. Dollina’s journey on the Titanic was part of a family migration to America, seeking a better life inspired by her sister’s success overseas.

Early Life and Family

A Sussex Upbringing

Dollina Margaret Ford was born into a working-class family in rural Sussex. Her father, Edward Ford, was a farm worker from Fletching, while her mother, Margaret Ann Watson, hailed from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The couple married on June 17, 1890, in Hadlow Down, and Dollina was baptized on August 23, 1891, at St Mark’s Church.

Siblings and Family Life

The Ford family grew to include five children:

• Dollina Margaret (b. 1891)
• Frances Mary (b. 1893)
• Edward Watson (b. 1895)
• William Neal Thomas (b. 1897)
• Robina Maggie (b. 1904)

By 1901, the family had moved to Mark Cross, a hamlet in Rotherfield, Sussex, where they appeared in the census records.

Education and Early Career

Rotherfield Council School

Dollina’s education began at Rotherfield Council School, where she enrolled on May 1, 1899. Her academic journey was marked by:

• A certificate for good attendance
• Completion of six Standards required by the Education Board
• Departure from school after May 1906

Entry into Domestic Service

Following her education, Dollina entered the workforce as a domestic servant. The 1911 census reveals her occupation as an unmarried parlour maid, employed by a wealthy family in Gillhams Birch, Rotherfield.

Family Struggles and the American Dream

A Father’s Desertion

Dollina’s family life took a difficult turn when her father, Edward, reportedly abandoned the family. This left her mother to support the children as a poultry farmer, struggling to make ends meet.

The Lure of America

Hope for a better future emerged when Dollina’s elder sister, Frances, emigrated to the United States in 1911. Frances found work as a domestic servant for a wealthy Long Island family and shared tales of prosperity that inspired the remaining Fords to consider a similar move.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why did the Ford family decide to sail on the Titanic?

Motivated by Frances’ success and the promise of a better life, the Ford family made the momentous decision to leave Rotherfield and resettle in America. They planned to join Dollina’s uncle Thomas Watson in New London, Connecticut.

Titanic Ticket Details

• Ticket number: W./C. 6608
• Cost: £34 7s 6d
• Class: Third Class
• Embarkation point: Southampton

Traveling Companions

The Fords were not alone in their journey. They were accompanied by:

• Dollina’s aunt Elizabeth Johnston and her family
• A family friend, Phoebe Alice Harknett

In total, their party consisted of ten individuals, all seeking a new life across the Atlantic.

The Tragic Sinking

On April 15, 1912, Dollina Margaret Ford’s life was cut short at the age of 20 (twenty) years old when the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank. The entire party of ten, including Dollina and her family members, perished in the disaster. Despite efforts to recover bodies after the sinking, none of the Ford family members were identified among those found.

Aftermath and Legacy

A Father’s Claim

In the wake of the tragedy, Edward Ford, who had previously deserted the family, filed a claim for the loss of his loved ones. He was awarded a modest sum of five shillings per week as compensation.

Unanswered Questions

The fate of Edward Ford remains somewhat of a mystery. It is speculated that he may have remained in Rotherfield until his death in 1933, but this detail is uncertain.

Dollina Margaret Ford’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations that were tragically cut short by the Titanic disaster. Her journey, from a small Sussex village to the ill-fated liner, encapsulates the hopes of many who sought a better life in the New World, only to meet with tragedy on the high seas.