RMS Scythia Immigration Inspection Cards – Norwegian Immigrants’ Journey to the U.S. (1928)

📌 Discover rare U.S. immigration inspection cards from 1928, documenting the voyage of Norwegian immigrants Lauri A. Grava and Josua Grava aboard the RMS Scythia. A vital resource for genealogists, historians, and students studying early 20th-century immigration.

Inspection Cards are used as a landing card and shown on request to a U.S. Immigration Inspector. Norwegian Immigrants Lauri A. Grava and Josua Grava from Haugo made the journey from Liverpool to Boston on board the RMS Scythia of the Cunard Line.

Front Side of US Immigration Inspection Card, Norwegian Immigrant, Lauri A. Grava from Haugo, Voss, Norway, Contract Ticket No. 45947, Departing from Liverpool on the RMS Scythia of the Cunard Line on 27 October 1928. GGA Image ID # 12c9d5e73b

Inspection Card for Lauri A. Grava

Before Leaving the Vessel, the holder must present this card to a U.S. Immigration Inspector for endorsement.

• Port of Departure: Liverpool
• Name of Ship: Scythia
• Name of Passenger: Lauri A. Grava
• Last Residence: Haugo (Voss, Norway)
• Contract Ticket No.: 45947
• Date of Departure: 27 October 1928
• Inspected and Passed at Liverpool, England, by W. C. Billings, Surgeon
• Passed at Quarantine, Port of Boston: 3
• Page Number where Passenger is Listed on Ship's List or Manifest: 4

RMS Scythia Immigrant Inspection Card Collection – A Rare Glimpse into 1928 Immigration Procedures 🚢🛂

The RMS Scythia Immigrant Inspection Card Collection provides a rare and insightful look at how immigrants were processed upon arriving in the United States in 1928. This collection, featuring original inspection cards from Norwegian immigrants Lauri A. Grava and Josua Grava, highlights the bureaucratic procedures, medical examinations, and documentation required for entry into the U.S.

This historical artifact is particularly valuable for:

✅ Teachers & Students – Studying immigration policies, Ellis Island procedures, and transatlantic voyages

✅ Genealogists – Tracing ancestral migration records and learning about early 20th-century travel requirements

✅ Historians – Researching immigration documentation, ship records, and public health regulations

✅ Anyone interested in immigration history – Gaining a personal connection to early immigrant experiences

📌 Encourage students to explore these materials when writing essays on immigration policies, transatlantic travel, or health regulations for immigrants in the 1920s.

Back Side of US Immigration Inspection Card, Norwegian Immigrant, Lauri A. Grava from Haugo, Voss, Norway. The immigrant was expected to Keep this Card to avoid detention at Quarantine and on Railroads in the United States. It served as proof of Vaccination. Ms. Grava's Berth was in Section C, Room 33, on the RMS Scythia. GGA Image ID # 12ca0b8740

Front Side of US Immigration Inspection Card, Norwegian Immigrant, Josua Grava from Haugo, Voss, Norway, Contract Ticket No. 45947, Departing from Liverpool on the RMS Scythia of the Cunard Line on 27 October 1928. GGA Image ID # 12ca3165b8

Inspection Card for Josua Grava

Before Leaving the Vessel, the holder must present this card to a U.S. Immigration Inspector for endorsement.

• Port of Departure: Liverpool
• Name of Ship: Scythia
• Name of Passenger: Lauri A. Grava
• Last Residence: Haugo (Voss, Norway)
• Contract Ticket No.: 45947
• Date of Departure: 27 October 1928
• Inspected and Passed at Liverpool, England, by W. C. Billings, Surgeon
• Passed at Quarantine, Port of Boston: 3
• Page Number where Passenger is Listed on Ship's List or Manifest: 1

Back Side of US Immigration Inspection Card, Norwegian Immigrant Josua Grava from Haugo, Voss, Norway. The immigrant was expected to Keep this Card to avoid detention at Quarantine and on Railroads in the United States. It served as proof of Vaccination. Mr. Grava's Berth was in Section C, Room 33, on the RMS Scythia GGA Image ID # 12ca65d6fe

🔹 Noteworthy Images & Their Significance

📸 Front Side of U.S. Immigration Inspection Card (Lauri A. Grava, 1928)

💡 Why It Matters:

🔹 This original document from 1928 serves as a primary source for understanding immigration procedures at the time.

🔹 The contract ticket number, ship name (RMS Scythia), and port of departure (Liverpool) provide crucial details for genealogical research.

🔹 The medical inspection stamp confirms that all passengers had to undergo health checks before sailing.

📌 For students studying Ellis Island and Boston immigration stations, this card provides direct evidence of the documentation process.

📜 Back Side of U.S. Immigration Inspection Card (Lauri A. Grava, 1928)

💡 Why It Matters:

🔹 The inspection card served as proof of vaccination and quarantine clearance, essential for avoiding detention.

🔹 Berth details (Section C, Room 33) provide insight into passenger accommodations aboard the RMS Scythia.

🔹 Immigrants had to keep these cards with them at all times, showing the strict nature of immigration enforcement.

📌 For historians, this highlights the role of public health policies in controlling the spread of disease among new arrivals.

📸 Front Side of U.S. Immigration Inspection Card (Josua Grava, 1928)

💡 Why It Matters:

🔹 The identical departure details indicate that Josua Grava traveled alongside Lauri Grava, showing the importance of family migration patterns.

🔹 Different manifest page numbers suggest that passengers were recorded in detailed ship manifests, crucial for genealogy research.

📌 For genealogists, these records offer key details for tracking immigrant family members through passenger lists.

🌍 Historical Context: Immigration & Health Inspections in 1928

During the early 20th century, U.S. immigration policies became stricter, requiring detailed documentation, health inspections, and quarantine procedures.

🔹 The Role of Inspection Cards

Every immigrant had to carry an inspection card, issued at the port of departure and checked by U.S. immigration inspectors upon arrival.

These cards verified vaccination status, helped prevent quarantine delays, and ensured smooth travel to final destinations.

🔹 Boston as an Immigration Port

While Ellis Island was the most famous U.S. immigration station, Boston was a major entry point for many European immigrants.

The RMS Scythia, operated by Cunard Line, was one of the many ocean liners transporting Norwegian, British, and European immigrants to America.

📌 For researchers, this document reflects how the U.S. government controlled and regulated immigrant entry at different ports.

📖 A Personal Story: The Journey of Lauri A. Grava & Josua Grava

🔹 Departure & Immigration Process

🔹 Lauri and Josua Grava departed Liverpool, England, aboard the RMS Scythia on October 27, 1928.

🔹 Their last residence was listed as Haugo, Voss, Norway, indicating their Norwegian origins.

🔹 Health Inspections & Clearance

🔹 Both were inspected and passed at Liverpool by Surgeon W.C. Billings, demonstrating that strict health checks were conducted before departure.

🔹 They were cleared at quarantine in Boston, meaning they passed medical examinations upon arrival in the U.S.

📌 For genealogists and family historians, these inspection cards provide a tangible link to an immigrant’s journey.

📜 Key Takeaways for Students & Researchers

📖 Why This Collection is Important:

✔ Understanding early immigration policies

How did U.S. regulations shape immigration?

✔ Examining public health measures

How were immigrants screened for diseases?

✔ Studying personal migration stories

What can we learn from individual records?

✔ Exploring transatlantic travel

How did ships like the RMS Scythia contribute to global migration?

📌 For essay topics, consider:

🔹 "The Role of Inspection Cards in Early 20th-Century Immigration"

🔹 "Health & Quarantine Procedures for Immigrants: How Strict Were They?"

🔹 "Boston as an Immigration Hub: How It Compared to Ellis Island"

⚡ Final Thoughts: A Valuable Window into Immigration History

This collection of RMS Scythia inspection cards provides an invaluable primary source for studying immigration policies, health regulations, and transatlantic travel in the 1920s.

📌 It is a critical resource that helps:

✅ Enhance genealogical research

✅ Examine public health policies for immigrants

✅ Understand the role of ocean liners in global migration

✅ Provide a personal connection to immigration history

🌊 History comes alive through these real documents, allowing us to walk in the footsteps of early immigrants.

📚 For further research, students and historians can explore the GG Archives' vast collection of passenger lists, ship manifests, and immigration records.

🔎 Looking for more immigration documents? Browse the GG Archives for rare historical artifacts related to Ellis Island, transatlantic voyages, and early immigrant records!

🚢 Every document tells a story. Let this one inspire your exploration of immigration history.