René Aimé Lievens

Who was René Aimé Lievens?

René Aimé Lievens was a 24 (twenty-four) year-old Belgian farmer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on October 22, 1887, in Heldergem, East Flanders, Belgium, Lievens was one of many hopeful immigrants seeking new opportunities in America when he boarded the ill-fated ship.

Early Life and Background

Family Roots in East Flanders

René Aimé Lievens was born into a family with deep roots in the shoemaking trade. His father, Gustavus Lievens, was a shoemaker born on January 12, 1860, in Sint Antelinks, East Flanders. His mother, Maria Egidia Coleta (née Bisback), was born on March 11, 1858, in Heldergem. The couple married on June 14, 1882, in Heldergem, East Flanders, Belgium.

Siblings and Family Life

René was one of several children in the Lievens family:

Maria Cesarina (born December 18, 1883)
Valentina Anastasia (born December 14, 1886; died 1887)
Maria Leontina Delphina (born August 4, 1893)
Valentina Caesarina (born July 22, 1897)
Hector René (born August 3, 1899)

Sadly, the family also experienced the loss of several children in infancy:

‘Sn’ (born December 3, 1882; died December 4, 1882)
Petrus Arselinus (born 1885; died April 6, 1885)
Petrus Arseen (born September 2, 1889; died December 10, 1889)

A Change in Career Path

“René’s father made wooden shoes all his life but his son did not want to follow in this trade.”

Despite his family’s tradition in shoemaking, René chose a different path. He became a laborer and continued to live with his mother in Heldergem after his father’s passing. This decision would eventually lead him to seek new opportunities across the Atlantic.

The Journey to America

Why did René Aimé Lievens decide to travel to the United States?

Like many of his neighbors, René was drawn to the promise of work in America’s agricultural sector. He planned to become a farm hand in the United States, specifically to help harvest sugar beets. Importantly, this was intended to be a temporary arrangement, with René planning to return home after earning money abroad.

Titanic Voyage Details

Class: Third Class
Ticket Number: 345781
Fare: £9 10s
Embarkation: Southampton

René boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger, joining the ranks of many other hopeful immigrants seeking a better life or temporary work in America.

Fate During the Disaster

Tragically, René Aimé Lievens did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. He was just 24 (twenty-four) years old when he perished on April 15, 1912. As with many victims of the disaster, particularly those traveling in third class, René’s body was never identified or recovered from the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

Connections and Legacy

A Community’s Loss

René’s story is intertwined with that of his community in East Flanders. He was a neighbor of Alphonse De Pelsmaeker, another Titanic passenger whose farm was less than 100 yards from the Lievens’ property. This connection highlights the impact the disaster had on tight-knit communities, where multiple individuals from the same area embarked on similar journeys with tragically different outcomes.

Remembering René

While René Aimé Lievens’ life was cut short, his story serves as a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations of the many third-class passengers aboard the Titanic. His journey represents the broader narrative of early 20th-century migration, where young people sought temporary work abroad to improve their prospects at home.

Today, René is remembered not only as a victim of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters but also as a symbol of the countless individuals who bravely set out in search of new opportunities, their stories forever intertwined with the legacy of the Titanic.