Miss Sarah Roth was born in Tarnów, Austria 1 (modern-day Poland) on 10 October 1880 2. She came from a Jewish family and was the daughter of Abraham Roth (b. 1849), a cobbler, and his wife Sarah (b. 1857). She had a brother, Barnett (b. 1874).
Sarah and her family appear on the 1881 census living at 5 Wells Place, Whitechapel, London, apparently having only just relocated there from their native Austria. Sadly her father died only a few months later. When the 1891 census was conducted Sarah's mother and brother were listed as living at Mansell Street, Whitechapel; Sarah was listed elsewhere as an inmate at the Jews Hospital and Orphan Asylum in Norwood, London.
When Sarah appeared on the 1901 census she was living with her mother and brother at 15 Plough Street, Commercial Road, Whitechapel. A further two siblings, whose background is uncertain, were also present: Harry (b. 1891) and Samuel (b. 1894). Sarah was described as a tailoress at this stage and when the 1911 census was conducted she was described as a coat finisher and still living with her mother at 15 Plough Street. Also listed at this address was her fiancé of several years Daniel Michael Iles (b. August 1882 3 in Stepney, London), a grocery warehouseman. Daniel later emigrated and arrived in New York on 27 May 1911 where he subsequently worked as a clerk in Greenhut, Siegel & Cooper department store. After several months he sent for Sarah to join him.
She boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third class passenger (ticket number 342712, which cost £8, 1s) and on board became acquainted a large group of similarly-aged passengers who included Emily Badman, Edward Lockyer, Edward Dorking, Thomas Theobald, May Howard and the Goldsmith family.
On the night of the sinking Sarah woke up having sensed that the ship's motion had ceased so she dressed and left her cabin and met two acquaintances, possibly Frank and Emily Goldsmith, and during their bewildered conversation they witnessed several stewards hurry past. Asking the crewmen what was the matter, they were informed that the ship had struck an iceberg but that there was no need for alarm. She also described members of the crew preventing their access to certain areas, with one crewman, whom she thought was an officer, preventing any steerage passengers mounting a ladder (perhaps the ladder connecting the aft well-deck to the second class area on B-Deck) onto a higher deck. Eventually she, the Goldsmiths and Emily Badman were permitted to ascend but upon reaching the boat deck found most of the boats gone or full and ready for lowering. Perhaps directed to the forward section of the ship by crew, Sarah, Emily Badman and Emily Goldsmith and her son Frank were rescued together in collapsible C, the penultimate lifeboat to leave Titanic. Sarah lost her wedding gown and trousseau in the sinking.
Following her arrival in New York Sarah wed her fiancé in St Vincent's Hospital only a week after the Titanic disaster, wearing a dress donated to her by the Woman's Relief Committee. Acting as a bridesmaid was Sarah's fellow survivor Emily Badman.
Sarah and her husband went on to have one child, a son named Albert Daniel, who was born in on 9 December 1914. The small family initially lived in Manhattan, remaining there throughout the 1920s and 1930s before they moved to Milford, New Haven, Connecticut. Sarah died there on 4 July 1947.
She was buried in Kings Highway Cemetery, Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut, in an unmarked grave.
Her widower Daniel continued to live in Milford and died in 1966. Her son Albert was later married and also remained in Milford where he died on 28 February 1999.
Comment and discuss
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does anyone have any information on sarah roth a third class passenger i have to do a report for school i need an itinerary among other things thanks
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Hi Leticia, I hope this info helps a little: Sarah Roth was born October 10--the year is in dispute but she claimed it was 1885. More likely she was a bit younger than that (interesting that most Titanic women lied to make themselves younger but Sarah seems to have wanted to be older. She was born in London and married Daniel Iles and had one son, Albert, born December 9, 1914. She died July 4, 1947 in Milford, Connecticut of Chronic Nephritis and is buried with her husband in King's Highway Cemetery in Milford. Her son Albert just died on February 28, 1999 at the age of 84. Her husband Daniel was born August 6, 1887 and died in Milford on December 6, 1966. The following is taken from the MILFORD CITIZEN newspaper, July 10, 1947: SARAH ILES Mrs. Sarah Iles, aged 58, wife of Daniel Iles of 20 Bertrose Avenue, Wildemere Beach, who was a survivor of the Titanic disaster of 1912, died Friday in the Hopewell Nursing Home, Woodmont, after an illness of two years. Services...
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phillip, thanks for all the info it helped out a lot
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I have just read the biography of Miss Sarah Roth, and I wondered if anyone had any more information on her. For instance where did she live before she left for America?. As she married so soon after arriving in the States I assume she was following her future husband, Daniel, to start a new life. Perhaps the disaster spurred them into marriage sooner than planned?. I would find it very interesting to know something about what became of the couple. Happy New year! Emma
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Emma, There was a whole score of items auctioned off by Sothebys that once belonged to Sarah Roth. I can't remember what year the auction was, but it wasn't too long ago. I'm not sure if Phil has it on his site, but according to her boarding card, she occupied the same cabin as Beila Moore, 121 in third class on E deck. Daniel.
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Thank you for that information Daniel, i shall see what I can discover about the auction. Emma
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Emma, I don't know too much info about Sara Roth, but according to the book women and children first Sara Roth was 26yrs. old and was from London England and traveling to New York, New York.
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Thanks Kelly. Women and Children first is a book I keep meaning to buy, though at the rate I buy books I'll need to buy a new bookcase first!
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I have a telegraphic letter dated April 11th 1912 of sarah Roth and like to find out if it is genuine.Could anybody please help me with it?Thank you in advance.Hanco
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The only item she had with her when she was rescued was a third class last dinner menu, that is now on display at a Titanic museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
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