🛂 1902 Immigrant Inspection Card - RMS Germanic Steerage Passenger Arrival at Ellis Island

📌 Explore a rare 1902 immigrant inspection card from the White Star Line’s RMS Germanic, issued to a Norwegian steerage-class passenger arriving at Ellis Island. Learn about Ellis Island immigration, public health regulations, and Norwegian migration to America.

🛂 Immigrant Inspection Card - RMS Germanic (1902)

The 1902 Immigrant Inspection Card from the RMS Germanic is a fascinating primary source document that sheds light on the immigration experience of Norwegian steerage passengers traveling to America. This artifact offers tremendous value for teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, providing a rare look into early 20th-century immigration procedures, health screenings, and documentation requirements.

Issued to Hans Johansen Røsholt, a 21-year-old Norwegian immigrant from Lårdal, Norway, this card served as official proof of inspection, vaccination, and permission to travel. It also helped immigrants avoid detention at U.S. quarantine stations or while traveling by rail after arrival.

This document is an exceptional resource for those researching Ellis Island immigration, Norwegian migration patterns, and White Star Line passenger records.

Front Side, Inspection Card for Immigrant and Steerage Passengers, for Norwegian Immigrant Hans Johansen Røsholt of Rårdal, Norway, Departing from Liverpool on the White Star Line RMS Germanic, Contract # PF2 32915, Passenger Manifest Page 13. Primary Source Immigrant Document Collection, GG Archives. GGA Image ID # 14d7f58a23

Back Side, Inspection Card for Immigrant and Steerage Passengers, for Norwegian Immigrant Hans Johansen Røsholt of Rårdal, Norway, Contains Vaccination Certification by Ship's Surgeon, and Instructions in 7 Languages: Keep this card to avoid detenion at Quarantine and on Railroads in the United States. Immigrant Documents Primary Source Collection, GG Archives. GGA Image ID # 14d83dbd77

White Star Line List or Manifest of Alien Immigrants for the Commissioner of Immigration dated 11 April 1902, Hans Johansen Røsholt, Age 21, from Lårdal, Norway, Line 13 of Page 13. Immigrant Documents Primary Source Collection, GG Archives. GGA Image ID # 14d890f5f4

Passenger Record

• First Name: Hans Johansen
• Last Name: Rosholt
• Nationality: Norway, Norwegian
• Last Place of Residence: Laerdal
• Date of Arrival: 11 April 1902
• Age at Arrival: 21
• Gender : Male
• Marital Status : Single
• Ship of Travel : Germanic
• Port of Departure : Liverpool
• Manifest Line Number : 0013

1918 Letter From Petra A Røsholt To Hans Johansen Røsholt. Transcript Unavailable. GGA Image ID # 1fb4e62c95

📌 Why This Document Is Significant

1️⃣ What Was an Immigrant Inspection Card?

✔ Essential Travel Document for Steerage Passengers

🔹 The Immigrant Inspection Card was issued to all third-class (steerage) passengers, verifying their identity, last place of residence, and proof of health clearance.

🔹 This card had to be presented at Ellis Island upon arrival and retained while traveling further into the U.S. to avoid quarantine or detention.

✔ Multi-Language Instructions for Immigrants

🔹 The reverse side of the card contained instructions in seven languages, including English, German, Dutch, Swedish, French, Polish, and Slovak.

🔹 This reflects the diverse backgrounds of European immigrants arriving in the U.S. at the time.

💡 For educators, this document is an excellent example of how governments managed immigration and health policies in the early 1900s.

2️⃣ Hans Johansen Røsholt’s Journey to America 🚢

📜 Details from the Inspection Card:

✔ Full Name: Hans Johansen Røsholt

✔ Age: 21

✔ Nationality: Norwegian

✔ Last Place of Residence: Lårdal, Norway

✔ Ship: RMS Germanic (White Star Line)

✔ Port of Departure: Liverpool

✔ Date of Arrival in the U.S.: 11 April 1902

✔ Passenger Manifest Entry: Page 13, Line 13

✔ Why This Is Interesting:

🔹 The RMS Germanic was a major transatlantic liner operated by the White Star Line, the same company that later built the RMS Titanic.

🔹 Many Norwegian immigrants traveled in steerage class, seeking opportunities in the American Midwest, particularly in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.

🔹 The manifest number and contract ticket details help genealogists connect passenger lists with immigration records.

💡 For family historians, this record provides an important link between European and American ancestry.

3️⃣ Health Screenings & Vaccination Requirements 🏥

✔ Pre-Departure Health Inspections in Liverpool

🔹 Before boarding, passengers underwent health screenings by a U.S. Consulate-approved doctor.

🔹 The ship’s surgeon also conducted inspections onboard to ensure passengers met U.S. immigration health standards.

✔ Vaccination Stamp for Smallpox

🔹 The reverse side of the card features a stamp confirming Hans Johansen Røsholt’s smallpox vaccination.

🔹 This was a mandatory requirement for entry into the U.S. in 1902.

🔹 Those without proof of vaccination could be quarantined or even deported.

✔ Why This Matters for Researchers & Historians:

🔹 Early 20th-century immigration was heavily regulated due to fears of infectious diseases.

🔹 The inspection card is proof of how medical regulations shaped immigration policies.

🔹 It connects to larger public health movements in the U.S., including the 1892 expansion of federal quarantine laws.

💡 For researchers, this document highlights the intersection of immigration and public health policies.

4️⃣ Connection to Passenger Manifests & Family Correspondence

📜 Matching Passenger List Entry (Ellis Island Records)

🔹 Hans Johansen Røsholt appears on the White Star Line’s passenger manifest, recorded on Page 13, Line 13.

🔹 The manifest is a crucial document for genealogists, as it confirms the details of his journey and settlement.

📜 1918 Letter from Petra A. Røsholt to Hans Johansen Røsholt

🔹 A letter from 1918, written 16 years after his arrival, provides an intimate look at family communication between Norway and America.

🔹 This highlights the emotional struggles of immigration, where many immigrants left loved ones behind and maintained contact through letters.

💡 For historians, this letter provides personal insight into the experiences of Norwegian immigrants adjusting to life in America.

📸 Noteworthy Images & Their Significance

📜 1. Front of the Immigrant Inspection Card (1902)

👉 Provides personal details about the passenger, including name, last residence, and ship information.

📜 2. Reverse Side of the Inspection Card

👉 Confirms smallpox vaccination and features multilingual instructions for immigrants.

📜 3. Passenger Manifest Entry

👉 Confirms Hans Johansen Røsholt’s arrival, age, and Norwegian nationality.

📜 4. 1918 Letter from Petra A. Røsholt

👉 Adds a personal connection, showing how immigrants remained in touch with their families overseas.

🔎 How This Page Helps Teachers, Students & Genealogists

📚 For Teachers & Students:

✔ Offers a primary source document illustrating Ellis Island immigration procedures.

✔ Shows how the U.S. government enforced vaccination laws on immigrants.

✔ Encourages discussions on public health, immigrant rights, and settlement patterns.

🔎 For Genealogists & Family Historians:

✔ If your ancestor arrived in steerage class, they likely carried a similar inspection card.

✔ Passenger manifests help connect Norwegian immigrants to their American descendants.

✔ The 1918 letter provides insight into post-immigration family connections.

📝 For Historians & Immigration Researchers:

✔ The multi-step health inspection process shows how public health concerns shaped early 20th-century immigration laws.

✔ The role of steamship companies (like White Star Line) in managing immigration logistics is evident.

✔ Provides evidence of how U.S. immigration policies impacted European migrants.

📖 Final Thoughts: Why This Article Matters

The 1902 Immigrant Inspection Card from the RMS Germanic is more than just a document—it represents the immigrant journey, health policies, and the administrative hurdles faced by those seeking a better life in America.

💡 For historians, it illustrates how public health concerns shaped immigration law.

💡 For genealogists, it provides a direct link to ancestors' immigration experiences.

💡 For educators, it offers a real-world example of how government policies affected the lives of immigrants.

📜 By preserving and studying documents like this, we gain a deeper appreciation for the struggles, resilience, and determination of the millions who journeyed to America in search of opportunity. 🚢🛂