William Wright (Glory Hole Steward) Titanic Survivor
Biography of William Wright : Titanic Survivor
www.encyclopedia-titanica.org
William Wright
- Thread starter Encyclopedia Titanica
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I have been in touch in the past and it is disappointing no reference has been made to the fact William Wright is likely to have been a bigamist. The family story has always been he survived the Titanic sinking, returned to Southampton and was never seen again by his wife Frances Maria Wright. They had married 11th Oct 1902, William using the name William Robert Wright, aged 31 and a ships steward. Frances was born 1866 and gave her age untruthfully as 32. She was previously married to a James Henry Statham allegedly a ships steward and former friend of Mr Wright.
Frances and William had a daughter Gladys, whose birth was never registered and was born between 1900 and 1902. It was only when Gladys applied for a pension did she become aware her birth had not been registered which caused her much distress.
Only one family photo exists of William and it is as the second photo in the Titanic Encyclopaedia
Frances and William had a daughter Gladys, whose birth was never registered and was born between 1900 and 1902. It was only when Gladys applied for a pension did she become aware her birth had not been registered which caused her much distress.
Only one family photo exists of William and it is as the second photo in the Titanic Encyclopaedia
This is very intriguing. Frances Maria, was widowed with one son and went by the name "Minnie" and she appears in the 1901 census under the name Minnie Wright even though she did not marry her William Wright until 1902. In their marriage certificate, he gives his name as William Robert Wright, his age as 31, and his father's name as William Wright while Titanic survivor had no middle name and gave his father as Samuel. I've included an aside about this story and it would be good to hear any further details to help verify the story.
Frances was from a family with a culture of bigamy on both her maternal and paternal side. She has proven to be very elusive to research and as more records come available further searches are made to find further proof of her life. Her sister and brother were in bigamous relationships it seems as well and another close family member who was jailed for bigamy
Contact was made with another descendant of Williams’ family when a letter was sent to the Liverpool Echo on the 100th anniversary of the sinking asking if anyone knew of William. The family knew William was from Liverpool and a crew member in the merchant navy hence the letter. Dr Wright replied.
The one remaining photo which the family have of William Wright has been seen by Dr Paul Wright to whom the original entry to the encyclopaedia was made, after I put him in touch with an enquirer from the publication. We have both concurred it is more than likely of William. The family ‘story’ is so clear it is more than likely to be correct as no mileage on making it up! Frances was left destitute and moved away from Southampton where she had been living.
As for the change of name whilst undertaking substantial research on family trees it seems a common occurrence a middle name was added or dates of birth changed. Indeed Frances’ niece in law gave her fathers name as someone who died 10 years before she was born!
Frances’ granddaughter remembers Frances well and her mother Gladys was very clear with the story throughout her life. Gladys does not appear till 1911 in the census.
Frances was dishonest about many things it seems. She lived with another gentleman in later life, also still married to someone else and when she died in the 1940s she was buried as Frances M Wright.
The truth of her story being left for future generations to unravel
Contact was made with another descendant of Williams’ family when a letter was sent to the Liverpool Echo on the 100th anniversary of the sinking asking if anyone knew of William. The family knew William was from Liverpool and a crew member in the merchant navy hence the letter. Dr Wright replied.
The one remaining photo which the family have of William Wright has been seen by Dr Paul Wright to whom the original entry to the encyclopaedia was made, after I put him in touch with an enquirer from the publication. We have both concurred it is more than likely of William. The family ‘story’ is so clear it is more than likely to be correct as no mileage on making it up! Frances was left destitute and moved away from Southampton where she had been living.
As for the change of name whilst undertaking substantial research on family trees it seems a common occurrence a middle name was added or dates of birth changed. Indeed Frances’ niece in law gave her fathers name as someone who died 10 years before she was born!
Frances’ granddaughter remembers Frances well and her mother Gladys was very clear with the story throughout her life. Gladys does not appear till 1911 in the census.
Frances was dishonest about many things it seems. She lived with another gentleman in later life, also still married to someone else and when she died in the 1940s she was buried as Frances M Wright.
The truth of her story being left for future generations to unravel
@Maureen55 is the photo from the William Wright of the Southampton family?
