Elida Olsson

Who was Miss Elida Olsson?

Miss Elida Olsson was a 31 (thirty-one) year old Swedish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on January 26, 1881, in Östra Nöbbelöv, Kristianstad County, Sweden, Elida was a third-class passenger who tragically perished when the ship sank on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

Swedish Roots

Elida Olsson was born into a working-class family in the coastal region of Sweden. Her parents were:

• Father: Ola, a fisherman (born July 16, 1845, in Östra Nöbbelöv)
• Mother: Kjersti Håkansdotter (born July 3, 1844; died 1894)

Her parents had married on March 4, 1874, and Elida was one of several children in the family.

Siblings and Foster Brother

As of 1890, the Olsson family consisted of:

• Nils (born January 5, 1875)
• Frans Emil (born July 23, 1877)
• Henrik (born September 2, 1883)
• Olof (born May 21, 1886)
• Per (born February 22, 1889)
• Frans Emil Jonsson (foster son, born August 25, 1876)

Career and Movements

Working as a Maid

Elida’s career path led her to domestic service. Her movements between her hometown and the city of Malmö show a young woman seeking opportunity:

• October 28, 1904: Moved to the Pauli parish of Malmö
• October 27, 1905: Returned to her home in Östra Nöbbelöv
• November 13, 1909: Began working as a maid in Malmö
• April 27, 1911: Returned to Östra Nöbbelöf

During her time in Malmö, Elida worked in the household of Frans Helmer Bertley Petersén, a commercial traveller born in 1872 in Stockholm.

The Fateful Journey

Why was Elida on the Titanic?

In 1912, Elida was reportedly living at Södra Brantevik 34, Östra Nöbbelöv, Simrishamn, Sweden. Her plan was to travel to St. Paul, Minnesota, where her brother Olof Olsson, a master builder, resided. Ostensibly, she intended to do housework for her brother.

A Journey with Her Fiancé

Interestingly, Elida was accompanied on the Titanic by her fiancé, Thure Lundström, who survived the disaster. Lundström’s destination was Los Angeles, California, suggesting that St. Paul might have been only a temporary stop for Elida.

Titanic Voyage Details

• Embarkation: Southampton
• Class: 3rd Class
• Ticket Number: 350407
• Ticket Price: £7 17s

The Night of the Disaster

Conflicting Accounts

According to Mr. Lundström’s account, he claimed to have placed the Sandström family in lifeboat 13 and then Elida Olsson in a lifeboat that capsized. However, this account is likely inaccurate, as it doesn’t match any known lifeboat events except possibly Collapsible B.

Elida’s Fate

Tragically, Elida did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. Her body was never recovered from the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

Aftermath and Compensation

In the wake of the disaster, the Olsson family received compensation:

• The Mansion House Fund paid 875.52 Kr (£48) to Elida’s father
• Damage claims of 911 Kr (£50) were paid to her father on June 2, 1914

Legacy

Elida Olsson’s story is a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. A young woman on the cusp of a new life in America, her journey represents the dreams and aspirations of many third-class passengers aboard the ship. Today, her name is remembered among the 1,500 souls lost in one of history’s most famous maritime tragedies.