Not In Steerage

John James Conway, an orphan, boarded the R. M. S. Cedric in Queenstown, Ireland in 1907. Turning his back on the land of his birth, John travelled alone in steerage. He prayed that if he could be strong enough to survive the journey’s wretched conditions, he would be rewarded with the promise of a better life in New York City.

Seven decades later, Kat Conway, his granddaughter, prays for courage to stand on her own as she boards the QE2. Also alone, she’s in a private room with bath and a porthole. Traveling in the opposite direction, her destination is Southampton, England. Along the way, she is wined, dined, waited on, catered to, entertained and even wooed.

In between these two disparate Atlantic crossings, you will be captivated by three generations of Conways. As the author captures the changing times and the changing roles of women, you will be moved. You will cheer for this family, share their pain as they conquer fear, suffer losses and endure both personal and global hardships. But you will also share their bliss and celebrate every success, as you wonder what the next page will bring. This book is a celebration of family.