Ida Livija Ilmakangas

Who was Miss Ida Livija Ilmakangas?

Miss Ida Livija Ilmakangas was a 17 (seventeen) year-old Finnish servant who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in 1894, she was traveling with her sister Pieta Sofia when they boarded the ill-fated ship in Southampton, bound for a new life in America.

Early Life and Family

A Finnish Family’s Roots

Ida Livija Ilmakangas was born on October 14, 1894, in Paavola, Uleåborgs County, Finland. She came from a Lutheran family with deep Finnish roots:

Father: Jakob Olofsson Ilmakangas (born February 20, 1832)
Mother: Beata Sofia (née Johansdotter Palo, born October 20, 1850)
Sister: Pieta (Beata) Sofia Ilmakangas

Her parents had married on October 14, 1872, likely in their hometown of Paavola. While we know of Ida’s sister Pieta, there’s a possibility that the Ilmakangas family included other siblings as well.

First Journey to America

A Young Servant’s Voyage

In 1907, at the age of 22 (twenty-two), Ida embarked on her first transatlantic journey. This early adventure provides insight into her brave and independent spirit:

Departure: Liverpool, England on October 22, 1907
Ship: Steamship Carmania
Class: Steerage (Third Class)
Arrival: New York on October 30, 1907
Occupation: Unmarried servant
Destination: New York City

Physical Description and Character

Ida Ilmakangas was described as a young woman with:

Height: 5'6" (five feet, six inches)
Hair color: Blonde
Eye color: Blue

These physical attributes, combined with her willingness to travel across the ocean for work, paint a picture of a determined and adventurous young woman seeking opportunities beyond her homeland.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A Sister’s Mission

After living in the United States for approximately four years, Ida returned to Finland with a specific purpose - to bring her sister Pieta to America. This act of familial devotion would ultimately lead to their shared tragic fate.

Titanic Boarding Details

Embarkation Point: Southampton
Ticket Number: 3101270
Ticket Price: £7 18s (7 pounds, 18 shillings)
Class: Third Class

The Tragic Sinking

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank into the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. Tragically, both Ida and her sister Pieta perished in the disaster. Their bodies were never recovered, adding to the heartbreak of their family back in Finland.

Legacy and Compensation

The sinking of the Titanic left countless families devastated, including the Ilmakangas family in Paavola. In recognition of their loss:

The Daily Telegraph fund provided £10
Another relief fund contributed £100

These funds were given to Beata Sofia Ilmakangas, the mother who had lost both her daughters in this terrible tragedy.

Remembering Ida Livija Ilmakangas

Ida’s story is a poignant reminder of the many young lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. At just 17 (seventeen) years old, she embodied the hope and ambition of many immigrants seeking a better life across the ocean. Her final act of traveling to bring her sister to America speaks volumes about her character and the close bonds of family that often motivated such perilous journeys.

Today, Ida Livija Ilmakangas is remembered not just as a victim of the Titanic, but as a symbol of the dreams and aspirations of countless young immigrants whose stories were tragically cut short on that fateful April night in 1912.