Miss Juli Rachel Christy

Who was Juli Rachel Christy?

Miss Juli Rachel Christy was a 25 (twenty-five) year old English passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born as Rachel Juli Cohen on January 27, 1887, in Lewisham, Kent, England, she embarked on the ill-fated voyage as a second-class passenger alongside her mother and sister. Her remarkable story of survival and subsequent life experiences offer a unique glimpse into the aftermath of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Family Background

A Childhood Marked by Loss

Juli Rachel Christy’s early years were shaped by significant family changes:

Born to Moreno Cohen (b. 1856) and Alice Frances Jones (b. 1860)
Father likely of Jewish descent, passed away in 1890
Mother worked as a psychiatric nurse before marriage
Two siblings: Jaques Moise (b. 1885) and Amy Frances (b. 1888)

Following her father’s death, Juli and her sister were baptized on April 26, 1891, at St Stephen’s Church in Walworth, Surrey. This event marked a turning point in their religious identity.

Challenging Childhood Circumstances

The 1891 census provides insight into Juli’s living situation:

Resided at 206 Albany Road, Peckham, London
Lived with mother, siblings, and uncle Walter Jones
Mother described as a grocer

However, circumstances soon changed dramatically:

Due to financial struggles, Juli and her sister were placed in care, appearing in the 1901 census as inmates at an infant orphan asylum in Wanstead, Essex.

A New Family Name

In 1902, Juli’s mother remarried Frederick Alexander Christy, an importer of textile spinning machines. Although Frederick passed away less than a year later, Juli and her sister adopted the Christy surname, shaping their future identity.

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a Fateful Voyage

On April 10, 1912, Juli Rachel Christy boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton, embarking on what would become a historic journey:

Traveled as a second-class passenger
Accompanied by her mother, Alice Frances Christy, and sister, Amy Frances Jacobsohn
Also traveling with her brother-in-law, Sidney Samuel Jacobsohn
Destination: Montréal, Québec
Ticket number: 237789
Fare: £30

Previous Atlantic Crossings

Interestingly, this was not Juli’s first transatlantic voyage:

May 3, 1907: Traveled to Montréal aboard the Empress of Ireland
1915: Crossed the Atlantic on the Allan Line’s Scandinavian
1915: Returned to England on the White Star Line’s Baltic

Survival and Rescue

What happened to Juli Rachel Christy during the Titanic disaster?

Juli Rachel Christy was among the fortunate survivors of the Titanic sinking. While the specific lifeboat she boarded remains unknown, we know that:

She was rescued by the RMS Carpathia
Survived alongside her mother and sister
Her brother-in-law, Sidney Samuel Jacobsohn, did not survive the disaster

Return to England

Following their rescue, Juli and her family:

Returned to England aboard the Megantic on May 11, 1912
Demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of their harrowing experience

Life After the Titanic

Continued Travel

Despite her traumatic experience on the Titanic, Juli’s adventurous spirit remained undeterred:

1915: Made another Atlantic crossing on the Scandinavian
1915: Returned to England on the Baltic

Personal Life

Juli Rachel Christy never married and spent her later years:

Living at the Mostyn Hotel on Portman Street in Marylebone, London
Maintaining a relatively private life

Final Years and Legacy

A Tragic End

In October 1931, at the age of 44 (forty-four), Juli Rachel Christy:

Underwent an operation for appendicitis at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, Marylebone, London
Tragically died from thrombosis on October 30, 1931
Her death certificate noted “misadventure” as a contributing factor

Financial Legacy

Juli Rachel Christy left behind a substantial estate:

Estate Value	Beneficiary
£4,807 3s 11d	Mother (Alice Frances Christy)

Remembering Juli Rachel Christy

Juli Rachel Christy’s life, from her challenging childhood to her survival of the Titanic disaster and her subsequent travels, paints a picture of a resilient and adventurous woman. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the diverse lives touched by the Titanic tragedy and the enduring impact it had on survivors and their families.