The steamer General Slocum burned in New York’s East River in 1904 with great loss of life to the German-American community there.
Do you know the story of the steamboat General Slocum? Until September 11, 2001, it was New York City’s worst disaster.
The German-American community in Kleindeutschland – Little Germany – on New York’s Lower East Side chartered a large paddle boat steamer for a picnic excursion to Long Island’s North Shore to celebrate the end of Sunday school classes. June 15, 1904, was a Wednesday and most fathers went to work; the boat was full of women and children. Fire started in a forward storage cabin and the untrained crew couldn’t put it out with defective safety equipment. In a flood tide from behind while navigating Hell Gate – New York’s most treacherous channel – the captain made full speed towards beaches in the Bronx and North Brother Island. However, a headwind fanned the flames aft. In only a few moments, 1400 passengers faced death by fire or by drowning, as few could swim, especially dressed in their Sunday best.
Geneanet has created a collaborative family tree of all of the families aboard the Slocum that day. Help us honor the memory of those who died and their bereaved survivors, many of them injured, whose descendants want this largely forgotten event to be remembered. Visit our forum thread for more information.
View photos of the monument in All Faiths (formerly Lutheran) Cemetery, Middle Village, Queens.
If you are interested in participating in this project, please leave a comment below or visit our forum thread. Comments will be published, those requesting access will be answered by the project manager vie e-mail. Instructions for participating.
21/4/22
I can help on French lineages. Notably found some info about Louis Ansel’s ancestors (parents wedding, grand parents, …).
Answer from Geneanet: Thanks for your interest! We will set up General Slocum tree admin rights for you. Late last year a historian of the Ansel family in Alsace with a tree at Geneanet learned about Eugene Ansel and we put them in touch with a descendant in the US!
23/10/21
So sad. Very interesting. My husband was 100% German but ancestors came into Houston port. Our name is Olbrich, but I have found it spelled Albrech, Ulbrich and many other ways. His mother was a Simank, spelled Symmank, Symmang and other ways. I am about 100% not German but he was a wonderful husband, father, brother and everything. Just lost him last year. A good man.
12/10/21
I would be interested in learning more about this project and participating in it.
11/10/21
My relative, Edward Flanagan, is in your tree for the Slocum disaster. I have information regarding his parents, etc. Please let me know how I can add this information. Thank you.
10/10/21
well done.
10/10/21
Thanks for sharing the story of the ill-fated Slocum disaster, I had no knowledge of the lost ship and lives. My family heritage is French & Italian from southern Louisiana. Thanks for the offer to participate in your project, but I will decline the offer. LCM
9/10/21
I recently read of this in a interesting book titled The Vines by Shelley Nolden.
9/10/21
I would like to participate in this project.
9/10/21
Please tell me what you need and how I might be able to help
9/10/21
How would I help?
9/10/21
If I can help I will
9/10/21
I received an email invite to join this project. I am interested if I’m part of the tree, well my dna & ancestors I guess