Encyclopedia Titanica

George Hannam

Titanic Fireman

George Hannam was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England in 1882 and his birth was registered in the September quarter of that year. He was the son of Arthur Hannam (1845-1884) and Sarah Elizabeth Cox (1850-1927). His father hailed from Bradford, Somerset and his mother from Beaulieu, Hampshire and they were married in Southampton in 1871.

George was one of eight children, four of whom died in infancy. His known siblings were: Elizabeth (b. 1874), Arthur (b. 1876), Elisha Frederick (b. 1878) and William Henry (b. 1880). Just prior to George's birth, his family were listed on the 1881 census living at 3 Princes Street, Southampton and his father was described as a coal labourer. His father passed away in 1884 and the family are apparently absent from the 1891 census.

On the 1901 census George is listed as living at 73 Princes Street, Southampton where his widowed mother was described as a servant and George as a servant's son with his profession being a ship's shipper (?). George is absent from the 1911 census but his mother is living at 1 Oxford Terrace, Oxford Cottages, Northam, Southampton and would declare herself as married.

When George signed on to the Titanic, on 6 April 1912, he gave his address as 1 Oxford Terrace (Southampton) and his age as 27. His previous ship had been the Danube. As a fireman he received monthly wages of £6.

George Hannam, who was unmarried, died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The following death notice appeared in the Hampshire Independent (unknown date):

HANNAM--April 15, on the s.s. Titanic, George Hannam aged 30, loving and youngest son of Sarah E. Hannam, and of the late Arthur Hannam, 1 Oxford Terrace, Millbank Street, Southampton. May his dear soul rest in peace.

His mother continued to live in Southampton where she died in 1927 aged 77.

Georger is remembered on the Titanic memorial boards formerly at St. Augustine's Church, Southampton; now in the safekeeping of the Southampton Maritime Museum.

Comment and discuss

  1. Vicky Hannam

    Additional information -George Hannam’s Lineage can be traced back to 1599. He is one of a very few whose surname continued through the female line as his father Arthur was the baseborn son of Hannah or Anna Hannam, daughter of Elisha Hannam. Anna died at 33 and Arthur was raised by his grandfather.As well, the family can be found in West Ham, Essex in 1891 where a legitimate transcription error listed them with the surname of Colebrook. Sarah is listed as a widow and servant and her three children Frederick, William and George are listed in sequence using ditto marks. Thus they were recorded as Colebrook not Hannam. The reason for the move is unclear but they return to Southampton, 73 Princes Street for the 1901 census, again living with and working for Joseph Colebrook.Joseph Colebrook is closely connected with this family in all of the census material and in fact Sarah or Elizabeth is buried in the same grave as Joseph.(Southampton Old Cemetery, Section D182, Grave Number... Read full post
  2. Caroline Hannam

    Hi Vicky I have just been to The Titanic Museum in Belfast and discovered there was a George Hannam onboard that hails from Southampton and his Father from Somerset. I am one of the Hannam family from the Isle of Wight, originally hailing from Somerset many years ago. I was wondering if there was connection at all. I have never been able to work out how we came to be on the Isle of Wight from Somerset. Any help would be gratefully received. Kind Regards Caroline.
  3. stevensue

    stevensue

    Loving reading about my husband's Great x3 Uncle George. His Mum, who is originally a Hannan, now lives in Ashton, Lancashire, but not sure about an IOW connection.
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Titanic Crew Summary

Name: Mr George Hannam
Age: 30 years (Male)
Nationality: English
Marital Status: Single
Last Residence: at 1 Oxford Terrace Southampton, Hampshire, England
Occupation: Fireman
Last Ship: Danube
Embarked: Southampton on Saturday 6th April 1912
Died in the Titanic disaster (15th April 1912)
Body Not Identified

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