RMS Britannic (1880) Prepaid Passage Ticket: A Window into Irish Immigration & Transatlantic Travel

📌 Explore the 1880 prepaid steerage passage ticket for Ellen McGuire aboard the RMS Britannic. Learn about Irish immigration, transatlantic travel, and White Star Line history. A must-read for historians, genealogists, and maritime enthusiasts.

White Star Line Memorandum of Prepaid Steerage Passage on the RMS Britannic, Ticket Dated 29 May 1880. GGA Image ID # 12d3d427de

Summary of Passage Ticket

• Date of Purchase / Voyage: 29 May 1880
• Steamship Line: White Star Line
• Steamship: SS Britannic
• Route: Queenstown (Cobh) to New York
• Ticket Type: Memorandum of Draft (Prepaid)
• Voyage Class: Steerage
• Name on Contract: Mrs. Frank (Ellen) McGuire
• Etnicity of Passenger(s): Irish
• Contract Terms: Limited
• Cost of Ticket: £3-0-0 / £305.30 in 2021 GBP

A Memorandum of a Draft like the one shown below from 1880 was used as a receipt - often for funds sent to immigrants still in the Old Country waiting to come to America.

Keep This Memorandum

No. 50683 White Star Line

United States and Royal Mail Steamers

Sailing Every Week From New York, Queenstown and Liverpool.

Unsurpassed for Safety, Speed and Comfort.

New York, May 29th 1880

Memorandum of a Draft favor of Mrs. Frank McGuire

For £3-0-0 $ --- Paid by Ellen McGuire

IF NOT PAID WITHIN SIX MONTHS A NEW DRAFT WILL BE ISSUED.

/s/ A. L. Stevens, Agent.

Meriden, Connecticut

PARTIES DESIRING to send for their friends from the OLD COUNTRY, can obtain Ticket, etc. by the WHITE STAR LINE on application at the Company's Offices, or any of the Company's Agents throughout the United States and Canada

Side Bar Text

WHITE STAR LINE

• BRITANNIC: 5004 Tons
• GERMANIC: 5004 Tons
• BALTIC: 3707 Tons
• ADRIATIC: 3888 Tons
• CELTIC: 3888 Tons
• REPUBLIC: 3707 Tons

The Steerage on the Steamers of the White Star Line are unusually spacious, well lighted, ventilated and in Winter heated by steam.

Tickets or Drafts payable on demand everywhere in the Old Country for sale at lowest rates.

Information about Document

• Date: 29 May 1880
• Value at Issue: 3 pounds 0 shillings 0 pence (£3 0s 0d or £3:0:0)
• Dimensions: 24.3 x 11.6 cm
• Reverse Side: Blank

Passenger Record

• Name: Ellen Mcguire
• Gender: Female
• Ethnicity/ Nationality: Irish
• Age: 32 Birth
• Date: abt 1848
• Place of Origin: Ireland
• Departure Port: Liverpool, England and Queenstown, Ireland
• Destination: USA
• Arrival Date: 31 May 1880
• Arrival Port: New York, New York, USA
• Ship Name: Britannic
• Manifest Line Number : 25

Source Citation

Year: 1880; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Line: 25; List Number: 638

Original data:

Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls. NAI: 6256867. Records of the U.S. Customs Service, Record Group 36. National Archives at Washington, D.C.

Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957. Microfilm Publication T715, 8892 rolls. NAI: 300346. Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; National Archives at Washington, D.C.

Supplemental Manifests of Alien Passengers and Crew Members Who Arrived on Vessels at New York, New York, Who Were Inspected for Admission, and Related Index, compiled 1887-1952. Microfilm Publication A3461, 21 rolls. NAI: 3887372. RG 85, Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Index to Alien Crewmen Who Were Discharged or Who Deserted at New York, New York, May 1917-Nov. 1957. Microfilm Publication A3417. NAI: 4497925. National Archives at Washington, D.C.

Passenger Lists, 1962-1972, and Crew Lists, 1943-1972, of Vessels Arriving at Oswego, New York. Microfilm Publication A3426. NAI: 4441521. National Archives at Washington, D.C.

Relative Cost of Passage Ticket in Today's Currency Value

In 2020, the relative value of £3   0s   0d from 1880 ranges from £305.30 to £5,126.00.

A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is £305.30. This answer is obtained by multiplying £3.00 by the percentage increase in the RPI from 1880 to 2020.

This may not be the best answer.

The best measure of the relative value over time depends on if you are interested in comparing the cost or value of a Commodity, Income or Wealth, or a Project . For more discussion on how to pick the best measure, consult the Tutorials.

If you want to compare the value of a £3 0s 0d Commodity in 1880 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real price of that commodity is £305.30
• labour value of that commodity is £1,530.00
• income value of that commodity is £2,349.00
• economic share of that commodity is £5,126.00

If you want to compare the value of a £3 0s 0d Income or Wealth, in 1880 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real wage or real wealth value of that income or wealth is £305.30
• labour earnings of that income or wealth is £1,530.00
• relative income value of that income or wealth is £2,349.00
• relative output value of that income or wealth is £5,126.00

If you want to compare the value of a £3 0s 0d Project in 1880 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:

real cost of that project is £347.80

labour cost of that project is £1,530.00

economic cost of that project is £5,126.00

Source: www.measuringworth.com

🚢 Recap & Summary: RMS Britannic Passage Ticket (29 May 1880) 🇮🇪➡️🇺🇸

🌍 A Glimpse into Irish Immigration & Transatlantic Travel in 1880

The White Star Line Memorandum of Prepaid Steerage Passage on the RMS Britannic, dated 29 May 1880, is an important historical artifact that sheds light on the transatlantic journey of Irish immigrants during the late 19th century.

This document represents a prepaid ticket for Mrs. Frank (Ellen) McGuire, an Irish woman traveling in steerage from Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, to New York, USA. The prepaid nature of the ticket is significant—it suggests that a relative or sponsor in America likely sent money to facilitate her voyage, a common practice for Irish immigrants during this period.

For genealogists, this ticket provides a direct connection to migration records, offering valuable insights into Irish diaspora movements. For historians and educators, it serves as a tangible example of how prepaid passage systems enabled family reunification and helped drive mass emigration to America.

📜 Key Voyage Details

• Date of Purchase: 29 May 1880
• Date of Voyage: Likely late May 1880
• Ship: RMS Britannic (White Star Line)
• Route: Queenstown (Cobh) → New York
• Passenger: Mrs. Frank (Ellen) McGuire
• Age: 32
• Nationality: Irish
• Ticket Type: Memorandum of Draft (Prepaid Steerage Ticket)
• Voyage Class: Steerage
• Port of Arrival: New York (31 May 1880)
• Ticket Cost: £3 0s 0d (Equivalent to £305.30–£5,126.00 in 2021 GBP, depending on economic comparison method)

🛳️ The RMS Britannic & The White Star Line: A Gateway to the New World

The RMS Britannic, built in 1874, was one of the finest transatlantic steamships of the White Star Line, the same company that later built the Titanic. It was a state-of-the-art vessel for its time, capable of carrying thousands of immigrants to America.

By the 1880s, Irish immigration to the United States was at a peak, with many fleeing economic hardship, famine, and political unrest in Ireland. Queenstown (Cobh) was a major departure point for Irish emigrants, and steerage-class travel was the most affordable means of reaching the United States.

🚢 The Britannic’s Significance in Irish Migration

✅ A key link in the transatlantic immigration wave, bringing thousands of Irish passengers to America.

✅ Part of a new era of steam-powered ocean travel, offering faster, safer, and more reliable crossings.

✅ A vessel of the renowned White Star Line, known for high safety standards and comfort relative to earlier packet ships.

By examining this passage contract, we gain insight into the journey of millions of immigrants, including their struggles, financial challenges, and hopes for a better future in America.

📌 Noteworthy Contract Details & Passenger Rights

This prepaid passage ticket includes several key details that offer insights into 19th-century immigration practices:

🔹 Prepaid Draft System → The ticket was paid for in advance, most likely by a family member or friend in America, showcasing the common practice of "chain migration" where early immigrants helped bring over their relatives.

🔹 Steerage Class → Mrs. McGuire traveled steerage, which meant cramped conditions but an affordable ticket. While steerage conditions were harsh, the White Star Line’s vessels offered relatively better accommodations compared to earlier sailing ships.

🔹 Refund Policy → If the draft was not used within six months, a new one would be issued, providing some financial security for immigrants who might face delays or travel complications.

🔹 Advertising for More Immigrants → The contract encouraged other prospective emigrants to buy White Star Line tickets through local agents in the United States, further fueling Irish and European migration to America.

📸 Noteworthy Images & Their Significance

🖼️ RMS Britannic Passage Ticket (1880)

An original document that illustrates how prepaid tickets worked—a key system that helped thousands of immigrants afford the journey to America.

Demonstrates how steamship companies promoted transatlantic travel and encouraged family-sponsored migration.

🖼️ Passenger Manifest (New York, 31 May 1880)

Provides official verification of Mrs. McGuire’s arrival, linking her ticket to an actual voyage record.

Confirms her steerage-class travel, a reminder of the difficult conditions endured by immigrants in the late 19th century.

📚 Why This Document is Important for Different Audiences

👨‍🏫 For Historians & Teachers

Highlights the role of steamships in mass migration and how companies like White Star Line revolutionized ocean travel.

Connects immigration history with personal stories, helping students relate to the struggles of 19th-century immigrants.

Shows how prepaid passage systems encouraged family reunification, influencing migration patterns in America.

🧬 For Genealogists

A valuable piece of evidence for those tracing Irish ancestry, linking passenger manifests to prepaid passage contracts.

Demonstrates how Irish families financed their transatlantic journeys, providing clues for family research.

Confirms departure and arrival details, helping researchers track Irish migration routes.

📖 For Students & Researchers

Offers a real-world example of 19th-century immigration documents, showcasing how financial transactions enabled migration.

Sheds light on economic struggles, class distinctions in ocean travel, and Irish migration patterns.

Provides a primary source document that can be analyzed for historical accuracy and context.

🌎 Final Thoughts: A Ticket to a New Life

This 1880 RMS Britannic Passage Ticket is more than just a travel document—it’s a historical artifact of Irish migration, economic hardship, and family reunification.

It represents:

• The journey of countless Irish immigrants who sought a new life in America.
• The financial sacrifices families made to bring relatives across the Atlantic.
• The evolution of transatlantic travel, moving from sailing ships to more structured steamship lines.
• The harsh realities of steerage class, contrasting with the privileges of first-class passengers.

Through this contract, manifest, and historical data, we gain a profound understanding of the human stories behind immigration records, making it an essential piece of history for teachers, genealogists, and historians alike. 🚢📜🌍