Nova Scotia Archives
RMS Titanic Resource Guide
Fatality Reports
In the days immediately following the loss of the Titanic, Fatality Reports were created for 328 individuals whose bodies were recovered at the site of the disaster. These files form a unique sub-set within the records of the Medical Examiner for the City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth (RG 41, Series C, Vols. 75, 76 & 76A) held at the Nova Scotia Archives.
The circumstances behind the creation of these records were unique. The bodies were retrieved from the open ocean. Documentation was necessary to record distinguishing physical characteristics of individual bodies and to keep track of personal papers, clothing and other items found on them. The objective was to identify each individual and then ensure that next-of-kin were contacted and the body and/or effects delivered to them.
Each Fatality Report includes a foundation document (i.e. the Medical Examiner's record) listing physical characteristics and belongings, followed in the file by any other documents generated during disposition of the body and its effects. Some files contain only the foundation document, while others are extensive.
The handwritten annotations scrawled by various hands, the check-marks and deletions, and the occasional label or business card pinned to the pages are all silent reminders of the confusion and immense distress that marked the loss of the Titanic and its human cargo.
Managing the bodies and belongings, plus communicating with those most closely concerned, was the responsibility of the Provincial Secretary's Office in Halifax. The correspondence in each file is therefore either addressed to or signed by Frederick F. Mathers, the Deputy Provincial Secretary, or occasionally by George Murray, who was both the Provincial Secretary and Premier of Nova Scotia at the time.
Only 209 bodies were brought in to Halifax. The other 119 files in the Fatality Reports are for individuals buried at sea, and are identified as such. No files are known to have been created for bodies recovered by the CGS Montmagny or the SS Algerine. Each Fatality Report presented here is also linked electronically to the corresponding entry for that individual in the 'List of Bodies'.
Results 1 to 15 of 328 from your search:
Walter John Van Billiard
Status: Identified
Number: 1
Gender: Male Age: 10 Hair: Light
Remarks: Later identified from effects. Instructions N.Y. Office, wire, May 2nd. Listed as Walter Van Billiard, third class. Embarked Southampton.
Disposition: Forwarded, May 4th, to North Wales Depot, Pa.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 1
J.W. Marriott
Status: Identified
Number: 2
Gender: Male Age: 24 Hair: Dark
Remarks: On crew list as J.W. Marriott, Victualling Department.
Disposition: Buried at Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, N.S.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 2
Jenny Louisa Henrickssen
Status: (previously unidentified)
Number: 3
Gender: Female Age: 40 Hair: Brown
Remarks: Wore chemise marked "J.H." in red. Other clothing: Gray cloth jacket, red jersey jacket, blue alpaca blouse, blue serge skirt, woolen combinations, black stockings, black boots, gray cholera belt.
Disposition: Buried at Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, N.S.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 3
Sidney Leslie Goodwin
Status: Identified
Number: 4
Gender: Male Age: 2 Hair: Fair
Remarks: Buried by crew of C.S. Mackay-Bennett by special request. (formerly identified as Baby Paulsson)
Disposition: Buried at Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, N.S.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 4
Female Unidentified
Status: Unidentified
Number: 5
Gender: Female Age: 50 Hair: Dark Brown
Remarks: Effects include: Crucifix, snuff box and medallion, two silver rings and one turquoise ring.
Disposition: Buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Halifax, N.S.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 5
Male Unidentified
Status: Unidentified
Number: 6
Gender: Male Age: 22 Hair: Black
Remarks: Blue tattoo mark, and wore copper wire ring on thumb of right hand. Nothing else to identify.
Disposition: Buried at sea.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 6
Charity Robins
Status: Identified
Number: 7
Gender: Female Age: 60 Hair: Grey
Remarks: Request of Mrs. Curtin (daughter), 24 Garfield Street, Yonkers, N.Y. Third class. Embarked Southampton.
Disposition: Forwarded, May 4th, to Yonkers, N.Y.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 7
Vendla Maria Heininen
Status: (previously unidentified)
Number: 8
Gender: Female Age: 25 Hair: Fair
Remarks: Wore chemise marked "B.H." in red on front. Wore boots, size No 8. Sum of 150 Finnish marks sewed in clothing.
Disposition: Buried at Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, N.S.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 8
Nahil Schedid
Status: Identified
Number: 9
Gender: Male Age: 22 Hair: Dark
Remarks: Instructions, N.Y. Office, wire, May 2nd. Listed as Daher Shedid, third class. Embarked Cherbourg.
Disposition: Forwarded, May 4th, to Mrs. Schedid, Mt. Carmel, Pa.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 9
R. Butt
Status: Identified
Number: 10
Gender: Male Age: 25 Hair: Fair
Remarks: On crew list R. Butt, Victualling Department.
Disposition: Buried at Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, N.S.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 10
J. Shea
Status: Identified
Number: 11
Gender: Male Age: 45 Hair: Dark
Remarks: On crew list as J. Shea, Victualling Department.
Disposition: Buried at Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, N.S.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 11
Margaret Rice
Status: (previously unidentified)
Number: 12
Gender: Female Age: 40 Hair: Dark Marks: False Upper Teeth
Remarks: Shoes marked "Parsons Sons, Athlone"; medallion round neck marked "B.V.M." ; wore wedding ring, keeper and another gold ring; locket and photo; one jet and one bead necklace.
Disposition: Buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Halifax, N.S.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 12
Female Unidentified
Status: Unidentified
Number: 13
Gender: Female Age: 30 Hair: Dark Marks: False Upper Teeth (partial)
Remarks: Probably an Italian; wore two green cotton blouses, green cotton skirt, striped petticoat; nothing else to identify.
Disposition: Buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Halifax, N.S.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 13
Leslie Williams
Status: Identified
Number: 14
Gender: Female Age: 28 Hair: Fair
Remarks: Listed as third class. Embarked Southampton.
Disposition: Buried at sea.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 14
Louis Michael Hoffman or Navratil
Status: Identified
Number: 15
Gender: Male Age: 36 Hair: Black
Remarks: Listed as Mr. Hoffman, second class.
Disposition: Buried at Hebrew Cemetery, Halifax, N.S.
Reference: Medical Examiner, City of Halifax and Town of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Archives RG 41 vol. 75 no. 15