Encyclopedia Titanica

Johan Emil Pettersson

Mr Johan Emil Pettersson was born in Västermo, Södermanland, Sweden on 19 November 1886.

He was the son of Per Larsson (b. 25 April 1839 at Västermo) and Anna Stina Larsdotter (b. 13 April 1842 at Arboga, Västmanland). They had married 26 September 1869.

His brothers and sisters were Emma Sofia (b. 12 June 1873), Augusta (b. 26 January 1877), Charlotta (b. 5 March 18790, Emma Christina (b. 21 June 1883), Hulda Maria (b. 6 January 1889), Carl Oscar (b. 17 April 1875), Olof Arvid (b. 29 July 1884), and fellow victim of the sinking Johanna (b. 21 July 1871).

In 1910 he was described as a farm labourer living in Närlunda (Åby Norra), Västermo, in the household of farmer Carl Oskar Pettersson, b. 1875, and his family. He was still living there in 1912. The local vicar noted he had left Västermo 18 March 1912, bound for North America, and also that he had perished in the sinking of the Titanic 15 April 1912. 

His sister Johanna Ahlin had emigrated in 1905 and had been visiting her parents.  Johan would accompany her on her return and they boarded the Titanic at Southampton as third class passengers (he on ticket number  347076 which cost £7, 15s, 6d) destined for 4947 Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.

Petterson died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

On 2 July 1912, his father received 1000 Kr from his life insurance. The Mansion House Fund paid 874.08 Kr (£48) to his parents with a further 1366.50 Kr (£75) damage claims paid on 31 May 1914.

References and Sources

Claes-Göran Wetterholm (1988, 1996, 1999) Titanic. Prisma, Stockholm. ISBN 91 518 3644 0
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Comment and discuss

  1. James Morton-Robertson

    James Morton-Robertson

    My Great-Uncle, John Paterson, drowned on the Titanic en-route to Chicago. This has been known within my branch of the family but with no independent verification, Recently, I discovered that his brother emigrated to Tasmania and his descendants have confirmed that they also know of this event. I see that there are lists for 1st, 2nd and 3rd class passengers but were there no steerage passengers?
  2. Lester Mitcham

    Hello James, Welcome to E-T. - 3rd Class and Steerage were one and the same. Looking at the 3rd Class List although the name is spelt differently might you mean: Johan Emil Petterson, who is listed as being on his way from: Västermo, Närlunda, Stora Sundby, Södermanland, Sweden to 4947 Lincoln Ave. Chicago. - It is noted that he was travelling with his sister: Johanna Ahlin. In his book: Titanic The Great Lakes Connection, Cris Kohl, lists Pettersen, but not a John Paterson as: bound for Chicago.
  3. Mauro Zungri

    Welcome James: Lester is right as far as the data; in roadside ditch that nonserious stranger who by error the last name this badly written, soon deberian to agree the names of the cities. It is a very meticulous but rewarding task. I wish successes you in your search and any thing you do not doubt in contacting to any of the members of ET. From Argentina him shipment my respect
  4. Arne Mjåland

    In Claes Goran Wetterholm s book "Titanic" Johan Emil Pettersson is mentioned. According to the book he was from Vastermo as Lester mentioned. His parents were Per Larsson and Anna Lisa Larsdotter. He was the brother to Johanna Ahlin with whirh whom he travelled. He was travelling to his sisters home in Chicago. He was unmarried. According to Wetterholm the sister Johanna had her adress in Akeley, Minnesota, where her husband Johan Ahlin and her two sons lived. I have no knowledge of what bacame of the two sons. Janes Norton, are you related to one of the two sons? I hope this is a little help for your research.
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Titanic Passenger Summary

Name: Mr Johan Emil Pettersson
Age: 25 years 4 months and 26 days (Male)
Nationality: Swedish
Marital Status: Single
Last Residence: in Västermo, Sweden
Occupation: General Labourer
Embarked: Southampton on Wednesday 10th April 1912
Ticket No. 347076, £7 15s 6d
Destination: 4947 Lincoln Avenue Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died in the Titanic disaster (15th April 1912)
Body Not Identified

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