RMS Celtic (1902) – A Swedish Immigrant’s Journey to America via Steerage Class
📌 Explore an authentic 1902 steerage passage contract from Sweden to America aboard the RMS Celtic. Learn about transatlantic travel, steerage conditions, and immigration policies in this historically significant document—essential for historians, genealogists, and educators!
Original Third Class/Steerage Steamship Passage Contract and Ticket from Gothenburg, Sweden to New York, 14 November 1902, on the White Star Line RMS Celtic for Immigrant Ester Hilma Maria Magnuson of Stockholm. The Ticket Included the Detachable Receipt Located on the Right Hand Side (Panel). GGA Image ID # 1f9ba0f3a7
Passage Contract Summary
- Date of Purchase / Voyage: 14 November 1902
- Steamship Line: White Star Line
- Steamship: RMS Celtic
- Route: Gothenburg to New York via Hull and Liverpool
- Ticket Type: Passage Contract
- Voyage Class: Steerage
- Name on Contract: Ester Helbana Magnuson (Ester H Maria Magnuson)
- Etnicity of Passenger(s): Swedish
- Contract Terms: Translated from Swedish
- Cost of Ticket: 118.00 SEK / £721.00 GBP in 2021
Passage Contract Details
Nr 2267
Agent i Hull: Tho:s Wilson, Sons & Co.
Hufvudkontor i Liverpool: Ismay, Imrie & Co. 30 James Street.
Kontor i New-York: White Star-Line, 9 Broadway.
__ Married Berth.
__ Male Berth.
1 Female Berth.
Utvandrare-Kontrakt
I, C. W. HÄLLSTRÖM, hereby undertake, upon the following terms, to forward from Gothenburg to New York in North-America, the emigrant named below for the sum of 118:00 Kronor, which amount has been duly paid and includes all ordinary charges upon landing in America.
The journey takes place from Gothenburg the 14 NOV 1902 by steamer steerage passage to Hull in England and thence, within 48 hours after having passed the customs, to Liverpool by rail 3rd class, and from Liverpool within 12 days after arrival there, by Ocean steamer steerage passage, to New-York in North-America. From New-York the Emigrant will be forwarded, immediately after having passed the customs and complied with other formalities, by rail ___ 3:rd class to ---
At the above mentioned fare the emigrant will he supplied with good and sufficient provisions and attendance from leaving Gothenburg until arrival at place of landing in America, lodging during the stay in England and conveyance and care A of effects not exceeding 10 cubic feet space by steamer and 150 Pounds weight by railway. Effects of children between 1 and 12 years are carried free at the rate of half of what has been before stated for effects to America, where no free conveyance of effects of children under 5 years is allowed.
The emigrant is entitled to a check for such effects, as are not under his own care, and will receive or same consisting of packages and numbered 3606 a compensation not exceeding Kronor 50 per adult, in the event of non-delivery of the effects on surrender of said check upon arrival at place of landing in America but no compensation will be allowed for loss or damage all effects caused by sea accident.
Should the emigrant at arrival in foreign country he refused by the authorities to immigrate and if it cannot be proved that this prohibition has been caused by circumstances come to pass after this contract was made out. I C. W, Hällström do hereby agree to repay the emigrant for the passage and at my expense have him returned to Gothenburg, Sweden; like- wise his maintenance on his return and forwarding id care of his baggage.
Likewise do I agree to, if so required by the emigrant, to let all controversies about this contract's explication and the emigrants justice of compensation for nonfulfillment of the same to be decided by five arbiters, of whom the immigrant appoints two, I or in case I refuse, the Kings govern in this government two, and the before said governor the fifth.
If the emigrant has any reason for complaint of not being treated in accordance with the terms stipulated In this contract, a report thereof should be made to the nearest Consul as soon as circumstances admit.
Goteborg den NOV 14 1902
/s/ C. W. Hällström (via Rubber Stamp Signature)
Antages:
/s/ Ester Hilma Maria Magnuson Uppvisadt och godkändt såsom upprättadt i öfverensstämmelse med Kongl. förordningen den 4 Juni 1884, intygas:
Göteborg i Poliskammeren den NOV 14 1902
Detachable Receipt (Panel on Right Side of Contract)
Oceanic Steam Navigation Company Limited
White Star-Line.
Gothenburg Agency
Messrs ISMAY, IMRIE & Co.
30 James Street, Liverpool.
Will please give passage to
Adults One
Children ---
Infant --
Making One
full passengers from Liverpool to New-York.
Gothenburg the 14 NOV 1902
C. W. Hällström
The Journey 1902
- 14 November Gothenburg to Hull on board a feeder ship such as those run by the Wilson Line.
- Transcontinental train from Hull to Liverpool, England
- Boarded the White Star Liner Celtic for the Journey to New York. The RMS Celtic built in 1901, had a capacity for 2,350 passengers in Third Class - Steerage.
- 29 November Arrived in New York
Voyage Record for Ester Helbana Magnuson
- First Name: Ester Helbana
- Last Name: Magnuson
- Ethnicity: Swede
- Last Place of Residence: Stockholm
- Date of Arrival: November 29, 1902
- Age at Arrival: 23y
- Gender: F
- Marital Status: S
- Ship of Travel: Celtic
- Port of Departure: Liverpool
- Manifest Line Number: 0013
Voyage Record for Ester H Maria Magnuson
- Name: Ester H Maria Magnuson
- Arrival Date: 28 November 1902
- Birth Year: about 1879
- Age: 23
- Gender: Female
- Ethnicity/Race/Nationality: Swedish
- Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
- Port of Arrival: New York, New York
- Ship Name: Celtic
Source Citation: Year: 1902; Microfilm Serial: 15; Microfilm Roll: T715_311; Line: 13; Page Number: 73.
Source Information:
Ancestry.com. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data:
- Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls); Records of the U.S. Customs Service, Record Group 36; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
- Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957; (National Archives Microfilm Publication T715, 8892 rolls); Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Relative Cost of Passage Ticket in Today's Currency Value
November 1902 18.17 SEK to £1 per Foreign exchange rates 1804–1914 (Håkan Lobell) p.324.
118.00 SEK / 18.17 = £6.494 or about £6 9s 11d
In 2020, the relative value of £6 9s 11d from 1902 ranges from £721.00 to £7,183.00.
A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is £721.00. This answer is obtained by multiplying £6.50 by the percentage increase in the RPI from 1902 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 £6 9s 11d Commodity in 1902 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:
- real price of that commodity is £721.00
- labour value of that commodity is £2,674.00
- income value of that commodity is £4,143.00
- economic share of that commodity is £7,183.00
If you want to compare the value of a £6 9s 11d Income or Wealth, in 1902 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:
- real wage or real wealth value of that income or wealth is £721.00
- labour earnings of that income or wealth is £2,674.00
- relative income value of that income or wealth is £4,143.00
- relative output value of that income or wealth is £7,183.00
If you want to compare the value of a £6 9s 11d Project in 1902 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:
- real cost of that project is £737.30
- labour cost of that project is £2,674.00
- economic cost of that project is £7,183.00
Source: www.measuringworth.com
🚢 RMS Celtic (1902) Steerage Passage Contract: A Glimpse into Swedish Immigration to America 🇸🇪➡️🇺🇸
📜 Overview: A Journey of Hope and Determination
This original Third Class/Steerage Passage Contract, issued on 14 November 1902, documents the immigration of Ester Hilma Maria Magnuson from Gothenburg, Sweden, to New York City aboard the White Star Line's RMS Celtic.
🎓 For educators and students, this document is a first-hand source reflecting the complex logistics of transatlantic travel, migration policies, and passenger experiences at the turn of the 20th century.
🧬 For genealogists, it serves as an essential link in tracing Swedish ancestry, connecting departure records, ship manifests, and immigration files.
📜 For historians, it provides insight into the European exodus to America, offering a look at economic conditions, passage costs, and the role of steamship lines.
🛳 For maritime enthusiasts, it sheds light on the operation of the White Star Line, the feeder ship system, and third-class travel conditions aboard the mighty Celtic.
📜 Key Details of the Passage Contract
📅 Date of Purchase: 14 November 1902
🚢 Steamship Line: White Star Line
🛳 Steamship: RMS Celtic
🌍 Route: Gothenburg → Hull → Liverpool → New York
🎟 Ticket Type: Steerage Passage Contract
💰 Cost of Ticket: 118 Swedish Kronor (Equivalent to £721 in 2021 GBP)
🛏 Voyage Class: Third Class (Steerage)
👤 Passenger: Ester Hilma Maria Magnuson (Stockholm, Sweden)
📌 Agent: C. W. Hällström
📌 Interesting Fact: The RMS Celtic (1901) was one of the largest ocean liners of its time, carrying up to 2,350 steerage passengers, reflecting the mass migration from Europe to America.
🛳 The Journey: A Complex Multi-Leg Voyage
This contract reveals that Swedish emigrants didn’t travel directly from Sweden to America—they followed a multi-leg route, managed by various steamship agents:
🚢 14 November 1902: Boarded a feeder ship (likely Wilson Line) from Gothenburg to Hull, England.
🚂 Hull to Liverpool: Traveled via third-class rail to Liverpool within 48 hours of clearing customs.
🛳 Liverpool to New York: Boarded the RMS Celtic for the transatlantic journey.
📅 29 November 1902: Arrived in New York City, likely processed at Ellis Island.
📌 Interesting Fact: This feeder ship + rail system was common for Scandinavian immigrants, as few direct routes from Sweden to the U.S. existed at the time.
📜 Steerage Class: A Glimpse into Life Below Deck
The contract states that Ester Magnuson’s fare included:
✔️ Basic meals and provisions for the journey.
✔️ Lodging in England while waiting for the transatlantic departure.
✔️ Baggage allowance: 10 cubic feet of space (about the size of a large suitcase).
✔️ Children’s travel conditions (reduced baggage allowance).
📌 Did You Know? Steerage passengers had no private cabins—they slept in large, open dormitory-style spaces with bunk beds, limited ventilation, and little privacy.
📌 Challenges of Steerage Travel:
❌ Crowded conditions, often with poor sanitation.
❌ Risk of disease outbreaks due to lack of medical care.
❌ No dining halls—food was distributed at specific times, and passengers ate in their bunks.
Despite the harsh conditions, this journey represented a new beginning, filled with hope, determination, and sacrifice.
📜 Immigration Barriers & Refund Policy
This passage contract included an important clause:
🔹 If Ester Magnuson was denied entry into the U.S., the agent (C. W. Hällström) agreed to cover the cost of her return to Sweden.
🔹 If any fraudulent information (such as age misrepresentation for children's reduced fares) was found, passengers had to pay the fare difference before departure.
📌 Interesting Fact: U.S. immigration laws had strict criteria, barring entry to:
❌ Sick individuals with contagious diseases.
❌ Unmarried pregnant women.
❌ Poor or unemployed immigrants who could become a “public charge.”
This return policy protected emigrants from being stranded in a foreign land with no resources.
📸 Noteworthy Images in the Collection
🖼 📜 The Original Steerage Passage Contract – A historic ticket with detachable receipt showcasing a Swedish immigrant’s transatlantic journey.
🖼 🚢 The RMS Celtic – One of the largest steamships of its era, famous for carrying thousands of steerage passengers to America.
🖼 📄 Immigration & Refund Policies – The contract’s fine print, ensuring protection and accountability for both the traveler and the agent.
💰 Relative Cost of Passage: Then vs. Now
💰 1902 Ticket Price: 118 SEK (~£6.50)
💰 2021 Equivalent: £721 to £7,183 (depending on valuation method)
📌 Comparison with Today:
✔️ In 1902, this ticket cost as much as two months' wages for a Swedish laborer.
✔️ By today’s standards, it would be the equivalent of a $1,000+ economy-class flight ticket to the U.S.
🔹 Conclusion: For working-class Europeans, emigrating was a major financial decision—often requiring family savings or assistance from relatives in America.
🧬 Genealogical & Historical Value of This Document
📜 For Genealogists: This contract links directly to ship manifests and Ellis Island records, helping descendants trace their ancestors' exact journey.
🏫 For Teachers & Students: This primary source document illustrates real-life immigration experiences, class distinctions in travel, and the role of steamship companies in the early 1900s.
📖 For Historians: The detailed conditions of travel, refund policies, and contractual obligations provide insights into how immigrants navigated legal, financial, and logistical challenges.
🌊 Final Thoughts – A Window into the Immigrant Experience 🚢
This steerage passage contract isn’t just a ticket—it’s a testament to the courage and determination of millions of European immigrants who braved the uncertainty of the New World.
For anyone researching Swedish-American immigration, transatlantic voyages, or 20th-century migration patterns, this document is an invaluable piece of history.
✨ Would you have endured the hardships of steerage for a new life in America? 🤔🇸🇪➡️🇺🇸
