Ida Sofia Strandberg

Who was Miss Ida Sofia Strandberg?

Miss Ida Sofia Strandberg was a 22 (twenty-two) year-old Finnish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in Finström, Godby, Åland, Finland, she was a third-class passenger who tragically perished in the sinking of the great ship on April 15, 1912. Her journey, which began with hopes of a new life in America, ended in one of the most famous maritime disasters in history.

Early Life and Family

A Finnish Upbringing

Ida Sofia Strandberg was born on November 22, 1889, in the picturesque region of Finström, Godby, located in the Åland Islands of Finland. She was the daughter of Johannes Gustaf Strandberg, born on August 26, 1854, and Brita/Beata Sofia Strandberg (née Knutsdotter).

Family Circumstances

By the time of her fateful journey, Ida’s life had already seen its share of hardship:

• Her father had passed away, leaving her mother a widow
• She lived with her mother, who worked as a crofter, in Åbo (now known as Turku), Finland
• Ida had at least one sibling, a brother named Gustav Conrad Strandberg, born on April 17, 1888

The Journey to Titanic

From Åland to Southampton

Ida’s journey to the Titanic was a circuitous one, reflecting the complex nature of early 20th-century European emigration:

1. She departed from the Åland Islands
2. Traveled to Gothenburg, Sweden
3. Boarded the ship Calypso to Hull, England
4. Finally made her way to Southampton to board the Titanic

This roundabout route led to some confusion about her nationality, with Ida initially being listed as Swedish in some documents.

Destination Discrepancies

Interestingly, there were conflicting reports about Ida’s final destination:

• White Star Line’s records incorrectly stated she was from “Croyem in Bulgaria” and headed to “Mitral Perdarrichi, 709 West Adam street, Chicago”
• The US Senate list more accurately recorded her destination as New York

Titanic Voyage Details

The Tragedy and Its Aftermath

The Sinking

Tragically, Ida Strandberg did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. At just 22 years old, her life was cut short in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. Her body, if recovered, was never identified, adding to the heartbreak of her loss.

Financial Compensation

In the wake of the disaster, efforts were made to provide some financial relief to Ida’s bereaved family:

• The American Red Cross Committee sent $50 to Ida’s mother
• The English Committee provided £100 to the mother
• These funds were sent in the name of Ida’s brother, who had paid for her passage and was unable to send his usual remittances home

“A girl, 22 years of age, was lost, leaving a widowed mother in Finland. This Committee sent $50 to the mother, in the name of the brother who had paid passage, and was unable to send, at once, his usual remittances. The English Committee gave £100 to the mother.” - From the Red Cross files: No. 434. (Finnish)

Legacy and Remembrance

While Ida Sofia Strandberg’s life was tragically short, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the many individual tragedies that made up the larger disaster of the Titanic. She represents the hopes and dreams of countless immigrants who sought a better life in America, only to have those dreams dashed by fate. Today, Ida’s name lives on in Titanic memorials and genealogical records, ensuring that her story, and those of her fellow passengers, are not forgotten in the annals of history.