Mr Manuel Gonçalves Estanislau

Manuel Gonçalves Estanislau was a 37 (thirty-seven) year-old Portuguese agricultural laborer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in Madeira, he was a third-class passenger embarking on a journey to America in hopes of providing a better life for his family.

Early Life and Background

Born on June 21, 1874, in Ladeira e Lamaceiros, Arco da Calheta, Madeira Island, Manuel was the son of Joaquim Gonçalves Estanislau and Maria de Jesus. He grew up in the picturesque Portuguese archipelago, known for its lush landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Family Life

On February 9, 1899, Manuel married Maria Augusta da Encarnação, who was 23 (twenty-three) years old at the time. The couple went on to have five children:

Maria
Evangelina
Manuel
Conceição
Francisco

The Decision to Emigrate

Why did Manuel choose to leave Madeira?

Manuel made the difficult decision to leave his family behind and emigrate to the United States of America. His primary motivation was to secure better financial prospects and send money back home to support his wife and five children. This selfless act was common among many immigrants of the time, who sought to provide a brighter future for their loved ones.

Titanic Journey Details

Manuel’s journey to a new life began when he was granted passport number 580 on March 30, 1912, by the Civil Government of Funchal. His ultimate destination was New York City, where he hoped to find work and establish himself before potentially bringing his family over.

Embarkation and Ticket Information

Port of Embarkation: Southampton
Passenger Class: Third Class
Ticket Number: SOTON/O.Q. 3101306
Fare: £7 1s

Manuel boarded the Titanic at Southampton along with two friends from Madeira:

Domingos Fernandes Coelho
José Neto Jardim

The three men likely found comfort in each other’s company as they embarked on this life-changing journey.

Fate During the Disaster

Tragically, Manuel Gonçalves Estanislau did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. As a third-class passenger, his chances of survival were significantly lower than those in first or second class. The victims from the lower decks often faced greater obstacles in reaching the lifeboats during the evacuation.

Manuel’s body, if recovered, was never identified.

This lack of closure would have been particularly devastating for his family back in Madeira.

Legacy and Impact on the Estanislau Family

The loss of Manuel had a profound and lasting impact on his family:

Maria Augusta da Encarnação: Manuel’s wife received the heartbreaking news of her husband’s death by telegram. She never remarried and shouldered the responsibility of raising their five children alone until her death in the 1950s.
The Children: All of Manuel and Maria’s children have since passed away. The last surviving child, Conceição, lived to be approximately 90 years old, passing away around 1996.

Where are the Estanislau descendants today?

The Estanislau family legacy continues, with descendants now living in:

Madeira Island: Where Maria, Manuel, and Francisco’s lines remained
Brazil: Where Evangelina and Conceição emigrated, establishing new branches of the family

Historical Significance

Manuel Gonçalves Estanislau’s story is a poignant reminder of the many lives affected by the Titanic disaster. It highlights the dreams and aspirations of immigrants seeking a better life, as well as the devastating consequences of the tragedy on families across the globe.

What documents survive to tell Manuel’s story?

Several historical documents help piece together Manuel’s life and final journey:

Christening Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Passport Grant
Contract Ticket List, White Star Line 1912 (National Archives, New York)
Records of marriages, births, deaths, and injuries that occurred onboard during the voyage (PRO London)
Archives from Arquivo Distrital do Funchal

These documents serve as crucial links to the past, preserving the memory of those lost in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.