Margaret Shineman was a Scottish native and naturalized United States citizen returning to Scotland with her newly-wed husband, James Shineman. Margaret and James were transfers from the ship Cameronia who were traveling to surprise Margaret’s family. When the Cameronia was requisitioned by the British Admiralty, the Shinemans became second cabin passengers aboard Lusitania. Both Margaret and James were lost in the Lusitania disaster. Both of their bodies were recovered, hers was #3 by Kinsale and James was #18 by Doolin and Aran.
Born Margaret McKenzie, Margaret was a native of Shieldaig, Scotland. She made her way to Oil City, Wyoming, where she found employment at a ranch. She met James Shineman, who had family in Illinois, and they were married on 19 April 1915. Margaret became a United States citizen upon their marriage. The Shinemans’ trip on the Cameronia was to be their honeymoon, where they would see Margaret’s family in Lochcarron, Scotland.
Margaret’s body is buried in the St. Multose Church in Kinsale, Ireland. James is buried at Carrigaholt, County Clare. Margaret’s name is engraved as “Margaret MacKenzie” on a World War I memorial in Torridon, Scotland.
Related pages
James and Margaret Shineman at the Mixed Claims Commission
Links of interest
Contributors:
Geoff Whitfield, UK
References:
Docket 2057, Mixed Claims Commission, page 516.
Hoehling, A. A. and Mary Hoehling. The Last Voyage of the Lusitania. Madison Books, 1956. Page 226.
“Torridon.” The Scottish War Memorials Project. Web. Accessed 16 May 2013. <http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-ftopic3559.html>.
According to the Scottish National War Memorial website, Margaret MacKenzie died 13th March 1941 at 146 Earl Street. She is listed on SNWM roll Civilians killed in Scotland during World War 1939-1945.