Gerda Nielsen was a third class survivor of the Lusitania. She was born in Domkirken, Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway, the daughter of Thomas Nielsen and Gurine Ovaldsen, and was christened on 25 July 1886. She had three older sisters, Elen (1870) and Nilsine Johanne (1873) Thomasine (1879).
After her mothers early death, Gerda and her father and older sister, Thomasine immigrated to Hebbon, England where Gerda excelled in dress making. She immigrated to America in 1910.
While on board the Lustiania, Gerda quickly met third class passenger, John Welsh and the two fell in love almost immediately. It must have been love at first sight, for the two strangers agreed to marry as soon as they reached land.
Both Gerda and John survived the sinking and the couple were married on 13 May 1915. They lived the remainder of their lives in England. They were unable to conceive children and it was though that both the Lusitania disaster and her inability to produce children, may have tipped her over the edge. John had her placed in an mental hospital in the 1930s. John moved away to work and Gerda died there alone.
After her mothers early death, Gerda and her father and older sister, Thomasine immigrated to Hebbon, England where Gerda excelled in dress making. She immigrated to America in 1910.
While on board the Lustiania, Gerda quickly met third class passenger, John Welsh and the two fell in love almost immediately. It must have been love at first sight, for the two strangers agreed to marry as soon as they reached land.
Both Gerda and John survived the sinking and the couple were married on 13 May 1915. They lived the remainder of their lives in England. They were unable to conceive children and it was though that both the Lusitania disaster and her inability to produce children, may have tipped her over the edge. John had her placed in an mental hospital in the 1930s. John moved away to work and Gerda died there alone.
Gerda Nielsen was a third class survivor of the Lusitania. She was born in Domkirken, Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway, the daughter of Thomas Nielsen and Gurine Ovaldsen, and was christened on 25 July 1886. She had three older sisters, Elen (1870) and Nilsine Johanne (1873) Thomasine (1879).
After her mothers early death, Gerda and her father and older sister, Thomasine immigrated to Hebbon, England where Gerda excelled in dress making. She immigrated to America in 1910.
While on board the Lustiania, Gerda quickly met third class passenger, John Welsh and the two fell in love almost immediately. It must have been love at first sight, for the two strangers agreed to marry as soon as they reached land.
Both Gerda and John survived the sinking and the couple were married on 13 May 1915. They lived the remainder of their lives in England. They were unable to conceive children and it was though that both the Lusitania disaster and her inability to produce children, may have tipped her over the edge. John had her placed in an mental hospital in the 1930s. John moved away to work and Gerda died there alone.
After her mothers early death, Gerda and her father and older sister, Thomasine immigrated to Hebbon, England where Gerda excelled in dress making. She immigrated to America in 1910.
While on board the Lustiania, Gerda quickly met third class passenger, John Welsh and the two fell in love almost immediately. It must have been love at first sight, for the two strangers agreed to marry as soon as they reached land.
Both Gerda and John survived the sinking and the couple were married on 13 May 1915. They lived the remainder of their lives in England. They were unable to conceive children and it was though that both the Lusitania disaster and her inability to produce children, may have tipped her over the edge. John had her placed in an mental hospital in the 1930s. John moved away to work and Gerda died there alone.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
