Mr Moses Aaron Troupiansky

Who was Moses Aaron Troupiansky?

Mr Moses Aaron Troupiansky was a 23 (twenty-three) year-old Russian shop assistant who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in Lithuania in 1889, Troupiansky was a second-class passenger on the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely death.

Early Life and Background

Lithuanian Roots

Moses Aaron Troupiansky was born around 1889 in Lithuania, which was then part of the Russian Empire. He came from a Jewish family, with his parents being:

Samuel Wulf Troupiansky (born 1856)
Zlate Mendelevska (born circa 1861)

Moses had four sisters:

Hannah (circa 1890-1949)
Sarah (circa 1892-1958)
Eva (circa 1894-1956)
Tillie (circa 1898-1962)

Family’s Journey to America

According to U.S. census records, the Troupiansky family had lived in America since 1906. However, they are not identifiable on the 1910 census. Prior to their move to the United States, Lithuanian records from 1891/1892 show the family residing in Raguva, Panevėžys.

Titanic Journey

Why was Troupiansky on the Titanic?

Moses Troupiansky boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. He was traveling from South Africa to join his widowed mother and three sisters in New York, with plans to establish himself in business there.

Journey Details

Ticket Number: 233639
Fare: £13
Port of Embarkation: Southampton
Last Place of Abode: London
Pre-boarding Accommodation: African Hotel in Southampton

Fate During the Disaster

Tragically, Moses Troupiansky did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified, making him one of the many victims of this devastating maritime disaster.

Legacy and Impact

Red Cross Report

The Red Cross files provide insight into Troupiansky’s situation and the impact of his loss:

No. 457. (Russian Jew) This young business man was lost while coming from South Africa to join his widowed mother and three sisters in New York and to establish himself in business here. He had been sending $20 a month to his mother. Two daughters were working; one was in an institution, a permanent invalid. Emergent needs were cared for by this Committee. ($400)

Family’s Life After the Tragedy

Following the loss of Moses, his family:

Remained in New York
Lived on Strand Concourse in the Bronx by the 1940 census
His mother, Zlate, passed away in the Bronx on April 20, 1943, and was buried in Mt Hebron Cemetery

What was Troupiansky’s connection to South Africa?

While specific details about Troupiansky’s time in South Africa are not provided, we know he was traveling from there to New York when he boarded the Titanic. This suggests he may have been working or seeking business opportunities in South Africa prior to his fateful journey.

How did Troupiansky’s loss impact his family?

The loss of Moses Troupiansky had a significant impact on his family:

Financial strain: He had been sending $20 a month to support his widowed mother.
Unrealized potential: His plans to establish a business in New York were cut short.
Family support: With one sister being a permanent invalid in an institution, Moses’ presence and potential earnings could have greatly assisted the family.

Moses Aaron Troupiansky’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many individual tragedies that made up the larger disaster of the Titanic. His journey from Lithuania to South Africa, and his final voyage towards a new life in America, represents the hopes and dreams of many immigrants of his time – dreams that were tragically cut short on that fateful night of April 15, 1912.