Jennie Dropkin

Who was Miss Jennie Dropkin?

Miss Jennie Dropkin was a 24-year-old Russian Jewish woman who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in 1887 in Mogilev, Belarus, she embarked on a journey that would lead her from the Russian Empire to the shores of America, becoming part of one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Early Life and Family

A Daughter of the Russian Empire

Jennie Dropkin was born on June 20, 1887, in Mogilev (now Mahiloŭ), Belarus, then part of the vast Russian Empire. Her parents, Jacob Dropkin and Masha Kovolove, raised her in a Jewish household, instilling in her the cultural and religious traditions that would shape her identity.

Sibling Connections

While details of Jennie’s early life remain scarce, we know she had at least one sibling:

• Abraham Dropkin (born March 10, 1879)
  • Older brother
  • Migrated to the United States in 1907

Abraham’s earlier migration to America would play a crucial role in Jennie’s own journey across the Atlantic.

The Fateful Voyage

Embarking on the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, Jennie Dropkin boarded the RMS Titanic in Southampton, England. As a third-class passenger, she carried with her the hopes and dreams of countless immigrants seeking a new life in America.

Ticket Details:

• Number: SOTON/OQ 392083
• Cost: £8, 1s (equivalent to about £1,000 in 2023)

What was Jennie’s destination in America?

Jennie’s ultimate destination was New York City, where her brother Abraham had settled five years earlier. Her journey was not a direct one from Russia, however. Prior to boarding the Titanic, Jennie had spent time in London, where she reportedly had family connections.

Survival and Rescue

While we lack specific details about Jennie’s experience during the Titanic’s sinking, we know she was among the fortunate survivors. The young woman found herself aboard the RMS Carpathia, the ship that came to the rescue of Titanic’s survivors, bound for New York City.

A New Life in America

Arrival in New York

Upon arrival in New York, Jennie was described as:

• Age: 23 years old (though records indicate she was actually 24)
• Occupation: Box Maker
• Marital Status: Single
• Next of Kin: Her mother in Mogilev
• Destination: 179 West 100th Street, New York (her brother Abraham’s address)

Marriage and Family

Jennie’s life took a new turn less than a year after her arrival in America:

• Marriage Date: March 8, 1913
• Spouse: Max Matlin (born May 20, 1882)
  • Originally from Dvinsk, Latvia
  • Son of Wolf Matlin and Rosa Westerman
  • Migrated to the USA in July 1899
  • Initially worked as a photographer
  • Later became a tinsmith

Children:

1. Jakub “Jack” (born December 15, 1913)
2. Paul (born January 5, 1917)
3. Samuel (born December 8, 1919 - died May 30, 1924)
4. Murray (born July 20, 1923)

A Life in Brooklyn

After a brief stint in Hartford, Connecticut, where their first two sons were born, Jennie and Max settled in Brooklyn, New York. Their lives can be traced through census records:

Legacy and Final Years

How did Jennie’s life come to a close?

Jennie Dropkin Matlin, a Yiddish speaker who had traversed oceans and survived one of history’s greatest maritime disasters, passed away in Brooklyn on August 9, 1951, at the age of 64. She was laid to rest in Mount Hebron Cemetery.

Her husband Max followed her in death on November 5, 1952, in Queens, New York. While both are buried in Mount Hebron Cemetery, they do not share the same plot—a poignant detail that speaks to the complexities of life and death.

Remembering the Dropkin-Matlin Family

The last of Jennie and Max’s children, Jack, died in 2005 in Florida. He was buried in the Star of David Memorial Gardens in North Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, in the Garden of Sinai plot. Today, descendants of Jennie Dropkin—the young woman who survived the Titanic—continue to live in New York and New Jersey, carrying forward the legacy of their remarkable ancestor.

Jennie Dropkin’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, from the icy waters of the North Atlantic to the bustling streets of Brooklyn. Her journey reminds us that behind every statistic of the Titanic disaster was a life full of hope, struggle, and ultimately, survival.