Miss Telma Matilda Ström

Who was Telma Matilda Ström?

Miss Telma Matilda Ström was a 2 (two) year-old American girl who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on December 15, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois, Telma was the only daughter of Swedish immigrants Oskar Wilhelm Ström and Elna Mathilda Persdotter. Her short life and untimely death serve as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Family Background

A Child of Immigrants

Telma’s parents, Oskar Wilhelm Ström (born 1884) and Elna Mathilda Persdotter (born 1882), married on September 21, 1909, just a few months before Telma’s birth. The family’s journey from Sweden to America reflects the broader narrative of European immigration to the United States in the early 20th century.

Life in Indiana Harbor

After Telma’s birth in Chicago, the Ström family settled in Indiana Harbor, Indiana, making their home at 3905 Grapevine Street. This industrial town, now part of East Chicago, was a common destination for Swedish immigrants seeking work and a new life in America.

The Fateful Journey

A Delayed Departure

In early 1912, Telma and her mother traveled to Södermanland, Sweden, to visit her grandparents on Julita farm. A twist of fate occurred when:

• Telma scalded her hand with hot water
• The injury forced them to postpone their return to America
• This delay led to their booking passage on the ill-fated Titanic

Boarding the Titanic

Telma, accompanied by her mother and married uncle Ernst Ulrik Persson, boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. Their journey details include:

During the voyage, Telma required daily visits to the ship’s nurse to have her bandages changed due to her recent injury.

The Night of the Disaster

Separation and Loss

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, as the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink, chaos ensued. The Ström family’s experience was marked by tragedy:

According to her uncle Ernst, he tried to keep himself as near to his sister as he could but they arrived near the boats too late. At 02:15 when they were on the poop, Titanic made a lurch and Ernst lost his grip and never saw them again.

Telma and her mother Elna were among the many third-class passengers who perished in the disaster. Their bodies, if recovered, were never identified.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

A Father’s Search

After the sinking, Telma’s father Oscar traveled to New York in a desperate attempt to find his daughter among the surviving children. His search was in vain, and he returned to Indiana Harbor with Ernst Persson, bearing the devastating news of his family’s loss.

Moving Forward

Despite the tragedy, Oscar Ström’s life continued:

• He remarried later in life
• Had four more children
• Passed away in 1964

Connections to Other Passengers

During their time on the Titanic, the Ström family shared cabin G6 with Agnes Charlotta Sandström and her children, Beatrice Irene Sandström and Marguerite Rut Sandström. This connection highlights the close quarters and relationships formed among third-class passengers during the voyage.

Reflections on a Life Cut Short

Telma Matilda Ström’s story, though brief, encapsulates the human tragedy of the Titanic disaster. At just 2 (two) years old, she represents the youngest and most vulnerable victims of the sinking. Her tale serves as a poignant reminder of the many families torn apart and lives cut short on that fateful night in April 1912, forever changing the course of maritime history and safety regulations.