Mrs Mara Osman

Who was Mara Osman?

Mara Osman was a 31 (thirty-one) year-old Croatian passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on March 17, 1881, in Vagovina, Croatia (then part of the Austrian Empire), she embarked on a journey that would forever change her life and become a part of one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Early Life and Background

What was Mara Osman’s family background?

Mara Osman was born to Mijo and Maria Osman in the village of Vagovina, Croatia. Her early life was spent in this small Croatian village, which at the time was part of the expansive Austrian Empire. This background provides insight into the cultural and political landscape that shaped Mara’s early years.

Marriage and Family

It has been suggested that Mara married Miška Banski (born September 24, 1875) in Croatia around 1898. The couple had three sons:

• Antun/Anton (born 1900)
• Ivan (born May 18, 1902)
• Franjo/Frank (born November 14, 1904)

This family dynamic would play a crucial role in Mara’s decision to travel to America and her subsequent life after the Titanic disaster.

The Journey to America

Why did Mara Osman decide to travel to America?

Mara’s journey to America was part of a larger family plan. Her husband, Miška, had left Croatia around 1905 to settle in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His intention was to save enough money to bring his family across the Atlantic and settle with him in America. When the time came for the family to reunite, only Mara would make the initial trip, with plans for the boys to follow later.

Titanic Voyage Details

Mara Osman boarded the Titanic as a third-class passenger in Southampton. Her ticket details are as follows:

Interestingly, Mara bought her ticket from the agent Viktor Klaus-Wildi in Buchs for 299 Swiss francs, highlighting the international nature of the Titanic’s passenger list.

The Fateful Night

How did Mara Osman survive the Titanic disaster?

Mara Osman was one of the fortunate survivors of the Titanic disaster. She was rescued by the Carpathia, though the specific lifeboat she escaped in remains uncertain. Her survival is a testament to her resilience and fortune amidst the chaos of that tragic night.

Following her recuperation, it was reported that she lost much of her hair as a result of shock.

This physical manifestation of the trauma she experienced underscores the profound impact the disaster had on survivors, both mentally and physically.

Life After the Titanic

Where did Mara Osman go after arriving in America?

After arriving in New York, reports suggest that Mara went to her ‘sister’ Mrs. Rudolph Pavlović in Steelton, Pennsylvania. However, this information is part of the conflicting accounts surrounding Mara’s life after the Titanic.

Conflicting Information

The story of Mara Osman after the Titanic is fraught with conflicting information:

• Some reports suggest she had a husband in prison for murder in Columbus, Ohio.
• Other accounts indicate she was reuniting with her husband Miška in America.
• The Carpathia’s list of survivors described her as an unmarried domestic, aged 30, born in Poland.

These contradictions highlight the challenges in tracing the lives of Titanic survivors, especially those from immigrant backgrounds.

Later Life and Legacy

What became of Mara Osman in her later years?

Despite the initial confusion, records show that Mara “Mary/Maria” and her husband Miška “Mike” eventually settled in Kenosha, Wisconsin. They appeared on the 1920 census as “Bouski,” joined by their two younger sons, Ivan “John” and Franjo “Frank.”

Mara’s life after the Titanic was marked by both reunion and loss:

• She sent for all three of her sons shortly after arriving in America.
• Her eldest son, Antun, elected to remain in Croatia and was reportedly killed during World War I.
• There are suggestions that Mara and Miška later divorced.
• Some accounts indicate she may have married a Croatian-American doctor named Isaac Kolic/Kolich, though no marriage record has been found.

Final Years

Mara Osman/Banski/Kolich died on January 13, 1930, in Kenosha due to stomach cancer. She was 48 (forty-eight) years old. Her final resting place is in Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, with a simple headstone that reads:

MARY BANSKI KOLICH 1882 † 1930

The Osman Family’s American Journey

The story of Mara Osman and her family is a testament to the immigrant experience in early 20th century America:

• Her son John married and had two children, remaining in Kenosha until his death on September 29, 1995.
• Her son Frank died in Woodland, California on October 27, 1980.
• Her first husband, Miška, died in Kenosha on April 12, 1935.

Mara Osman’s life, from her birth in a small Croatian village to her survival of one of history’s most famous disasters and her eventual settlement in America, encapsulates the dramatic and often turbulent journeys of many European immigrants of her era. Her story, with its moments of tragedy, survival, and resilience, continues to fascinate those interested in the human stories behind the Titanic disaster.