You know the name, and probably a good part of the story, of the “unsinkable” Molly Brown. But, do you know the tale of “three time lucky” Violet Constance Jessop. Jessop survived three major maritime accidents; including, the of sinking of both the RMS Titanic and the HMHS Britannic. First, she survived a collision between a steam liner, the RMS Olympic, with a Royal Navy Cruiser, the HMS Hawke, only months before the Titanic sank. Her story is recounted in one of two articles printed in the Apr/May 2012 issue of History Magazine commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic during her maiden voyage.
The second article reveals first-hand accounts from four reporters who “scooped the ‘Story of the Century.'” Together, these two article provide a somewhat unique glance back at the events of the night of April 15, 1912, and the people involved. Though there are a few people living today who were alive when the Titanic sank, all of them were mere children. None alive are likely to remember the actual event as it unfolded. However, so enormous was the media impact of this event on both sides of the Atlantic, and around the world that those born for generations following have learned from an early age of the famous Titanic and her tragic end. There are so many personal and family stories, not to mention the socio-economic elements that heaped tragedy upon tragedy, the Titanic will remain strong in our memories for generations more. These personal stories, I believe, tend to find a soft spot in the hearts of all genealogists. After all, genealogy is about uncovering the personal stories of our own ancestors. These larger-than-life tales only server to punctuate the stories we know of our own ancestors who lived during such times and events.
As great as these Titanic tales are, these weren’t the only articles of interest in the issue. Below you will find a complete list of articles from this issue. The 100th anniversary of the Titanic only made this issue more special. Fortunately, back-issue copies are still available.
Get your own historical copy of the April/May 2012 History Magazine, with its 100th Anniversary stories on the Titanic, available from Family Roots Publishing.
Contents
Opening Notes
Trivia: Traffic Lights, License Plates
Heroic Stand at Beecher Island
Arnold Blumberg looks at how a small unit of the US Cavalry defeated Cheyenne warriors
The Kensington Rune Stone: Genuine or Fraud?
Joe Know looks at this mystery that has intrigued scientists and historians alike for many years
The Titanic Disaster: First-Hand Accounts from Four Reporters
Separate newspaper accounts detail the events following the sinking of RMS Titanic on 15 April 1912
Violet Constance Jessop: Three Time a Lucky Lady!
Alice Luckhardt recounts the incredible nautical life, and luck, of one lady who survived three different maritime disasters — including the sinking of Titanic
The Lure of the American West and the Sundance Kid
John Christopher Fine examines the lure of the American West through a small Sundance, Wyoming museum and its legendary namesake
Searching for Sgt. Bailey
In this excerpt from his new book, James Breif recounts some of the hardships encountered by one US Army soldier serving in New Guinea in World War II
Legend of the Dutchman Mine
Donna Alice Patton examines the legend of a fabled mine and a hoard of gold buried deep in the mountains of Phoenix, Arizona
The American Colony: Christianity in the Holy Land
Melody Amsel-Arieli looks at the attempts by Americans to spread Christianity throughout Isreal
The History of Brain Surgery
Steve Semiatin explores the evolution of neurosurgery through the centuries