Hilānah Al-Ba'Qlīnī

Who was Miss Hilānah AL-BA’QLĪNĪ?

Miss Hilānah AL-BA’QLĪNĪ, later known as Helen Barbara Baclini, was a young Syrian-Lebanese Titanic survivor who overcame early adversity to build a life in America. Born on July 12, 1909, in Al Shwayr, Syria (now part of Lebanon), she was just 2 (two) years old when she embarked on a fateful journey that would forever change her life and secure her place in history.

Early Life and Family

A Family’s Escape from Persecution

Hilānah’s early life was shaped by her family’s quest for safety and opportunity. Her father, Sulaymān Dāwūd al-B’aqlīnī, a pharmacist born in 1878, made a crucial decision in late 1908:

Fled potential religious persecution with a neighbor, Najīb Qiyamah
Initially intended to establish a pharmacy in New York
Spent time in San Cristóbal, Venezuela before entering the USA on June 7, 1910
By 1912, established a dry goods business in Brooklyn

Hilānah’s mother, Laṭīfah al-Haj Qurbān (born 1888), remained in Syria with her daughters until her husband could afford to bring them to America. By April 1912, Hilānah had two sisters:

Mārīyā (born 1906)
‘Awjīnīyā (born 1908)

The Journey to America

A Fateful Delay

In 1912, Hilānah’s father had saved enough money to bring his family to America. Their journey was fraught with challenges:

Traveled from their village to Beirut
Sailed from Beirut to Marseille
Journeyed from Marseille to Cherbourg

At Cherbourg, a twist of fate intervened. Hilānah’s sister Mārīyā was diagnosed with conjunctivitis, preventing the family from boarding their intended ship due to contagion concerns. This delay led them to book passage on the next available ship – the Titanic.

Titanic Voyage Details

Class: 3rd Class
Ticket Number: 2666
Ticket Cost: £19, 5s, 2d
Embarked: Cherbourg
Destination: 217 Washington Street, Brooklyn, New York

Survival Against the Odds

How did the AL-BA’QLĪNĪ family survive the Titanic disaster?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic began to sink, Mrs. Baclini demonstrated remarkable courage and resourcefulness. Despite being a third-class passenger with three young children in tow, she managed to:

Navigate to the upper decks
Secure a place in a lifeboat for herself, her three daughters, and their teenage neighbor Adāl Najīb Qiyāmah

The AL-BA’QLĪNĪ family’s survival is particularly noteworthy as they represent a rare instance of a larger third-class family group surviving the disaster intact.

Life in America

A New Identity and Career

In America, Hilānah adopted the name Helen Barbara Baclini. Her early adult years were marked by:

Working as a department store buyer
Living with her family at 2071 66th Street, Brooklyn (as of 1930 census)

Marriage and Family

On November 17, 1935, Helen married Albert Mueller, a factory worker born on April 4, 1907, in Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany. Their family grew:

Daughter Carol Helen born on August 25, 1936
Lived at 7101 Bay Parkway in Brooklyn (late 1930s)

A Life Cut Short

Tragically, Helen’s life was cut short by illness:

1938: Underwent surgery for breast cancer
April 28, 1939: Passed away at home (4611 Kings Highway, Brooklyn) at age 29 (twenty-nine)

Helen and Albert are buried together in Saint John Cemetery in Middle Village, Queens, New York. Albert lived until June 16, 1994.

Legacy

Despite her short life, Helen Barbara Baclini left a lasting legacy:

Her daughter Carol (later Mrs. John Zaloum) lived until March 11, 2004
Her granddaughter, Rosie Foster, became a medical and science writer and president of Foster Medical Editorial, Inc.

Helen’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s impact on individual lives and the resilience of its survivors. From a young Syrian girl fleeing persecution to a Titanic survivor and American immigrant, Helen’s journey embodies the complexities of early 20th-century migration and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.