Miss Jane Carr Titanic Victim: history and commemorative events 4/14-15/12

The Titanic sank off Newfoundland on her maiden voyage
to the United States after striking an iceberg

Miss Jane "Janie" Carr was born Mon. Feb. 11, 1867 and died on April 15, 1912 at age 45 years.  Her last residence was Aclare, Sligo Ireland where she was born.  She was a 3rd Class Passenger on HMS Titanic, boarding at Queenstown, Ireland on Thursday, April 11, 1912.  Her ticket number was 368364, for which she paid L7 15 shillings.  Her destination was Windsor Locks, CT by way of New York City.  She died in the Titanic disaster and her body if recovered was never identified.  She was the daughter of Thomas Carr and Bridget Goldrick, she has 3 brothers and 3 sisters.  Janie originally emigrated to America in 1890, serving as a domestic and cook in Springfield, Mass. and later in Hartford, Conn. and then at the homes of Frank Ashley and Dr. Sidney R. Burnap.  Her last place of employment was as a cook at the Chicopee Falls Hotel.  Janie returned for an extended visit to Ireland to care for nieces and nephews in 1909.  She was returning to Windsor Locks to settle banking affairs as the Windsor Locks Savings Bank was failing due to embezzlement by Burnap's bro-in-law Alfred Woods Converse, bank Treasurer, Town Clerk, Post Master, GAR Master which amounted to some $185,000; he suicided when confronted in January, 1912.  Janie was informed by Mrs. Michael O'Leary and encouraged to return to close her account.  Janie planned to return to Ireland and spend the rest of her life surrounded by brothers and sister and their families.  She boarded Titanic at Queenstown, Ireland, the ship's voyage to America already under way having left its birthplace at Southampton, England the day prior and stopping in Cherbourg, France.  The ship would strike an iceberg at 11:40 pm on April 14, 1912 and sink to the bottom of the sea by 2:30 am April 15, 1912-- of its more than 2200 passengers- (1316 travelers/900 crew) only 710 would survive.

Miss Jane "Janie" Carr

On Saturday, April 14, 2012, the centennial anniversary of the Titanic disaster, flowers will be laid at places in Windsor Locks Janie visited by her grandniece Peg Carr Shaughnessy: the historic Windsor Locks train station, the OLeary home on Chestnut Street, St. Mary's Church, the Shaughnessy homestead and the Ashley homestead on South Center Street and the Burnap mansion on Maple Avenue.  The walking tour will begin at 10 am.  The Burnap mansion, now the home of Dennis and Martha Jarvis will be open for tours from 1-5 pm with admittance of $10 pp, proceeds to benefit the historic train station restoration.  First Selectman Wawruck will be asked to issue a Proclamation commemorating the day.

On Sunday, April 15, 2012, a Mass for the repose of Janie Carr and other Titanic victims will be offered in St. Mary's Church at 7 am, where Janie attended Mass while she lived in Windsor Locks.  The church bell is expected to be rung at 3 pm. in their memory.

(for further information contact Martha Jarvis 860 623-4234;  Mickey Danyluk  860 623-4143)