Miss Ellen Bird was born on Wilby Road in Old Buckenham, Norfolk, England on 8 April 1881.

She was the daughter of Samuel Bird (b. 1842) and Mary Ann Clarke (b. 1842). Her father, a farmer and shepherd, was also native to Old Buckenham whilst her mother hailed from Shropham, Norfolk. They were married in early 1864 and went on to produce a brood of eleven children. Ellen's siblings were: George (b. 1862), Samuel (b. 1864), Sarah (b. 1868), Emma (b. 1870), Anna (b. 1872), Eliza (b. 1874), Benjamin (b. 1876), Mary (b. 1878), Abigail (b. 1883) and William (b. 1885).

Ellen appears on the 1891 census living at her family home on Wilby Road, Old Buckenham, the place of her birth. Her parents were shown on the 1901 census living at Horsham (?) Road and on the 1911 census at Staxford, both in Old Buckenham, but Ellen was not listed at these addresses with them and only her eldest surviving brother, Samuel remained at home. It seems that Ellen, along with the majority of her siblings, went out to work at a very early age and by the time of the 1901 census she was listed as a general domestic at an address in Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey.

Bird was living in London when she was employed by Mrs Isidor Straus just prior to their return to New York. The Strauses had been in Europe since January 1912 and were trying to find a new French maid to bring back. They had no success but did hire a British maid who left them at the last minute and Ellen Bird was then hired. In letter from Ida Straus to her children she expressed her wish that this new girl work out.

Ellen boarded the Titanic at Southampton with the Strauses and she occupied cabin C-97 (ticket number PC 17483). Also travelling in their party was the Straus' English manservant John Farthing.

After the collision, as Mrs Straus dithered over whether or not to enter a boat and handed Miss Bird some of her Jewellery but then decided to take it back. Ida also gave Ellen her fur coat saying that she would not be needing it. Encouraged by her steadfast employers Ellen Bird boarded Lifeboat 8 and was saved. Both her elderly employers remained behind and were both lost, as was their manservant John Farthing.

After being rescued, Ellen tried to give Mrs Straus' fur coat back to the family, specifically to Sara Straus Hess, the Straus' eldest daughter. Sara told Ellen that Ida had given her the coat and she should keep it.

Ellen went to work for the family of Frederic Spedden of Tuxedo Park, New York. The Speddens were