Passage Contracts & Tickets of the 1910s – Immigrant Journeys, Colonial Voyages & Wartime Travel
📌 Explore rare passage contracts and tickets from the 1910s, documenting immigrant journeys, transatlantic crossings, and wartime travel. This collection offers vital insights for genealogists, historians, and educators studying early 20th-century ocean travel and migration.🚢
All Passage Contracts and Tickets for the 1910s available at the GG Archives. These unique contracts represent primary source documents of the voyage of many immigrants. Our collection includes a variety of types and classes and provides an invaluable account of the cost of passage.
🚢 Recap & Summary: Passage Contracts and Tickets of the 1910s
The 1910s marked a defining decade in transatlantic migration, colonial travel, and wartime ocean crossings, all of which are vividly documented in the GG Archives' collection of passage contracts and tickets. These records serve as primary sources that illuminate the lives of immigrants, travelers, and returning expatriates, providing valuable insights for genealogists, historians, educators, and students.
This collection spans a variety of voyage types, including immigrant steerage tickets, second-class passages for middle-class travelers, prepaid tickets arranged by family members, and contracts for colonial travel between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
What makes this index particularly compelling is its coverage of both westbound and eastbound travel, capturing:
✅ The immigrant experience, as seen in third-class passage contracts aboard Cunard, White Star, and Hamburg America Line steamers.
✅ Prepaid migration, which was crucial in enabling families to reunite across the Atlantic.
✅ Colonial voyages, reflecting the movement between Europe and its global territories.
✅ Reverse migration, featuring European expatriates returning home, particularly during wartime.
✅ Rail and sea connectivity, emphasizing the role of inland travel before ocean crossings.
This comprehensive snapshot of early 20th-century ocean travel allows researchers to explore how migration evolved before, during, and after World War I.
RMS Campania (1910): A Third-Class Voyage to America – A Rare Immigrant Ticket Receipt
This Purchaser Receipt, dated 4 June 1910, records the third-class passage of Henry Youds aboard the famous Cunard liner RMS Campania. Departing from Liverpool to New York, this document captures the experience of early 20th-century transatlantic migration, particularly for those in steerage class. This document provides a real-world immigration case study from the early 1900s. It is a key record for family history research that sheds light on transatlantic travel and British migration patterns. Furthermore, it features a legendary ocean liner from the "Golden Age" of steamships.
SS Chicago (1910): A Third-Class Voyage from Europe to America – A Rare Immigration Passage Contract
This Third-Class Passage Contract, dated 12 October 1910, provides a fascinating look at European emigration to the United States aboard the SS Chicago, a steamship operated by the CGT French Line. The passenger, Théodule Vial, a 38-year-old Italian carpenter, embarked on a life-changing voyage, leaving Aoste, Italy, and traveling through Geneva and Le Havre before setting sail for New York.
The SS Chicago was one of many vessels in the fleet of the French Line (Compagnie Générale Transatlantique), which played a significant role in transporting European immigrants to America in the early 20th century. This contract provides a real-world immigration case study demonstrating migration logistics and contracts. It also is a key record for family history research, including exact birthplaces, occupations, and travel routes. It illustrates the process of European emigration and the role of agencies in handling passenger arrangements.
SS Persic (1910): A Third-Class Colonial Voyage from Australia to England – A Rare Passage Contract
This Third-Class Passenger Contract Ticket, dated 21 December 1910, provides a firsthand look at the travel experience aboard the SS Persic of the White Star Line. The passenger, W. G. Stevens, embarked on a journey from Sydney to Melbourne, Australia, as part of the White Star Line’s Colonial Service, which transported passengers and goods between Australia, South Africa, and England. The SS Persic was a key player in White Star Line’s Colonial Service, transporting thousands of migrants and travelers between continents.
SS President Lincoln (1912): Prepaid Passage Contract for Steerage Immigration to America
This Prepaid Passage Contract, dated 13 January 1912, is an important historical document that sheds light on transatlantic migration in the early 20th century. Issued for Matthäus Florek, a German immigrant traveling in steerage from Hamburg to McKeesport, Pennsylvania, via New York, it provides a detailed account of prepaid migration arrangements, contractual terms, and the immigrant experience aboard the Hamburg America Line’s SS President Lincoln.
SS California (1912): Second-Class Passage Receipt from New York to Glasgow
This Second Cabin Ticket Receipt, dated 6 May 1912, is an important historical document showcasing transatlantic passenger travel aboard the SS California of the Anchor Line Steamship Company. Purchased by Jessie M. Clerihew, a Scottish traveler, the ticket secured her passage from New York to Glasgow, Scotland, in second-class accommodations on 18 May 1912. The SS California was one of the key passenger ships operated by the Anchor Line, serving as a vital connection between the United States and Scotland.
The SS California was one of the key passenger ships operated by the Anchor Line, serving as a vital connection between the United States and Scotland. The ticket receipt provides insight into the experience of second-class travelers on early 20th-century steamships. It highlights the role of the Anchor Line in transatlantic crossings between the U.S. and Scotland. Reveals the cost of travel and how it compares to modern currency values. The receipt offers a valuable genealogical link for researchers tracing Scottish ancestry. It also reflects on a significant movement between Britain and the U.S. weeks after the Titanic disaster.
SS Laconia 1912 Second Cabin Passage: A Glimpse into Transatlantic Travel
This Agent’s Receipt and Record for a Second Cabin passage aboard the Cunard Line’s SS Laconia, dated 3 June 1912, provides a compelling snapshot of early 20th-century transatlantic travel. The ticket was purchased for James Bartholomew, a traveler booked for the 15 June 1912 voyage from Boston to Liverpool. The cost of the ticket was $52.50, equivalent to $1,450.00 in 2020 dollars when adjusted for inflation.
The early 1900s saw a surge in transatlantic travel, with Cunard Line’s luxurious and efficient steamships dominating the route between North America and Europe. The SS Laconia, one of Cunard’s newer vessels, offered travelers multiple class options, with Second Cabin positioned between the elite First Class and the crowded Third Class steerage.
A Glimpse into Jewish-Russian Immigration to America in the Early 20th Century
This third-class passage contract for Josef Aronawitz, a 24-year-old Russian Jewish immigrant, provides a compelling insight into the transatlantic migration experience of the early 1900s. His voyage aboard the RMS Zeeland of the Red Star Line, from Antwerp to New York, culminating in his arrival at Ellis Island on August 20, 1912, represents the journey of thousands of Eastern European Jews escaping persecution, poverty, and instability in Tsarist Russia.
For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this rare document is invaluable in understanding the process of immigration, the challenges faced by third-class passengers, and the legal and logistical aspects of ocean travel in the early 20th century. From contract terms written in Dutch to details about baggage allowances and railway connections, this passage contract is an essential artifact of the immigrant experience.
SS Laconia Agent’s Record (1912) – Rare Third-Class Passage Ticket & Immigration Document
The Agent’s Record of a Third-Class Outward Steamship Ticket for SS Laconia, dated 10 August 1912, provides a compelling insight into early 20th-century immigration and transatlantic travel. This document, issued for Mrs. Annie Ambler and her 5-year-old daughter Ethel, represents a prepaid third-class voyage from Liverpool to New York on the Cunard Line’s RMS Laconia.
Annie Ambler was a naturalized U.S. citizen – Her return voyage in November 1912 confirms she was likely already settled in the U.S. The document notes that Annie gained U.S. citizenship through her husband. Annie may have returned to visit family or assist other relatives in immigrating.
Great Western Railway Emigrant Ticket (1912) – A Rare Railway & Ocean Travel Migration Document
The Great Western Railway Emigrant Ticket, dated 14 August 1912, is a rare and valuable historical document that highlights the crucial role of railway travel in connecting emigrants with transatlantic steamship departures. This receipt for Mr. & Mrs. Asbury, traveling from Kidderminster to Paddington Station in London, was issued for their steerage-class voyage aboard the RMS Arawa, bound for New Zealand.
This document highlights an overlooked part of the migration process – Before boarding an ocean liner, emigrants often traveled long distances by rail to major departure ports. It illustrates how steamship companies partnered with railways to facilitate seamless travel and demonstrates the interconnected transportation networks that shaped global migration in the early 20th century. While ship passenger manifests are common, pre-ocean train tickets are much rarer, making this a unique artifact.
SS Dunvegan Castle Passage Receipt (1912) – British Colonial Migration & Ocean Travel
The SS Dunvegan Castle Counterpart Passage Receipt, dated 15 November 1912, is a historically significant travel document that provides insight into British maritime migration and colonial transport networks. Issued for Mr. S. Peroganakis, this Deck Class ticket covered the voyage from Port Said (Egypt) to Delagoa Bay (modern-day Maputo, Mozambique) aboard the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company’s RMS Dunvegan Castle.
This passage receipt is more than just a ticket—it’s a tangible piece of the vast British maritime network that connected Europe, Africa, and beyond! It illustrates how the Union-Castle Line facilitated passenger movement across Africa and the British Empire. It highlights the least-documented yet most commonly used class for working-class travelers and colonial migrants. The ticket provides a passenger’s name, travel route, and ticket cost, helping track ancestral migration patterns. It also offers insight into early 20th-century oceanic travel policies, fare structures, and onboard conditions.
"Deck Class" was a low-cost, basic travel accommodation on passenger steamships, typically referring to the most inexpensive ticket class available, often below Third Class or Steerage. It was primarily used for short-distance or colonial routes, particularly in British maritime networks, such as voyages within Africa, the Middle East, or between European and colonial ports.
SS Laconia Agents' Record (1913) – Rare Third-Class Passage Ticket & Irish Migration Document
The Agents' Record of a Third-Class Outward Passenger Ticket for SS Laconia, dated 13 May 1913, is a remarkable historical artifact that offers a direct look into early 20th-century ocean travel. This document, issued for Beatrice Gilligan, a 22-year-old Irishwoman, represents her third-class voyage from Boston to Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland, aboard the Cunard Line’s SS Laconia.
This is a ticket for an Irish traveler returning home. Unlike many immigration records, this documents a passenger traveling from America back to Ireland. It demonstrates the role of steamship travel in the Irish diaspora and Atlantic migration. It also illustrates how third-class passage works, including ticketing procedures, and Offers insight into passenger logistics, ticketing agencies, and the role of ship brokers in transatlantic migration costs. This record is more than just a ticket—it’s a tangible piece of history that tells the story of an Irish traveler’s return to her homeland!
RMS Laconia 1913: Third-Class Prepaid Passage from Liverpool to Boston
This Agent’s Record for a Third-Class prepaid ticket aboard the Cunard Line’s RMS Laconia offers a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century transatlantic migration. Dated 3 June 1913, this ticket was purchased for Mary Ellen McGuire, a 20-year-old Irish immigrant traveling from Liverpool to Boston. The cost of her ticket was $39.00—equivalent to $1,050.00 in today’s dollars—a sum that would have required significant financial planning for a working-class traveler. This ticket represents not just a journey, but a story of opportunity, family connections, and the growing Irish diaspora in America.
This ticket has a special connection to the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives, as Ludvig Gjønvik, the founder’s ancestor, traveled aboard the same voyage of the RMS Laconia in third class. Though Mary Ellen and Ludvig likely never met—Ludvig did not speak English at the time—their journeys symbolize the diverse immigrant stories of the early 20th century
🚢 RMS Laconia 1913: A Norwegian Immigrant’s Journey from Trondheim to Boston 🇳🇴➡️🇺🇸
The RMS Laconia Passage Contract from 5 June 1913 is a remarkable artifact documenting the third-class voyage of Norwegian immigrant Ludvig Kristian Gjønvik from Trondhjem (Trondheim), Norway, to Boston, USA. This contract is not just a legal document but a powerful representation of transatlantic migration, the immigrant experience, and the financial commitment required for such a life-changing journey.
What makes this contract even more special is its deep connection to the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives. Ludvig Gjønvik, the grandfather of the GG Archives’ founder, was a passenger on this very voyage. His journey, like that of many immigrants, reflects the dreams, challenges, and sacrifices of those seeking a new life in America.
RMS Carmania Passage Contract (1914) – A Swedish Immigrant’s Journey to America 🇸🇪 ➡️ 🇺🇸
The RMS Carmania Passage Contract of April 10, 1914, is a remarkable artifact that captures the experience of Alfred Person, a 19-year-old Swedish immigrant, as he prepared to journey from Gothenburg, Sweden, to Boston, Massachusetts. This document is a priceless resource for genealogists, historians, educators, and students seeking to understand transatlantic migration, early 20th-century steamship travel, and immigrant experiences.
Alfred's voyage represents the millions of Europeans who sought a new life in America, traveling in third class (steerage) conditions aboard the Cunard Line’s RMS Carmania. This passage contract outlines his route, fare, and travel conditions, offering a direct glimpse into the realities of immigrant travel in the years leading up to World War I.
Alfred’s journey—from a small town in Sweden to Boston Harbor—reflects the hopes, challenges, and determination of millions of immigrants. His story is not just about travel—it’s about transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of the American Dream.
SS Cassandra Passage Ticket (1914) – A Transatlantic Journey Amidst War
The SS Cassandra Westbound Ticket Order from 8 July 1914 offers a rare and fascinating look into transatlantic travel just weeks before the outbreak of World War I. This document, issued to Miss Ruth Immel, records her second-class voyage from Glasgow, Scotland, to Montreal, Canada, departing on 29 August 1914 aboard the Donaldson Line’s SS Cassandra.
For genealogists, historians, and educators, this passage order is a valuable primary source, illustrating the migration of American travelers returning home from Europe as war loomed over the continent. It also provides critical insights into ticketing systems, travel costs, and the infrastructure supporting ocean voyages in the early 20th century.
SS Patria Passage Contract (1915) – A Transatlantic Journey Amidst World War I
The SS Patria Passage Contract, issued on 2 August 1915, offers a rare insight into transatlantic travel during World War I, specifically focusing on third-class passengers traveling from New York to Naples aboard a Fabre Line steamship. This document captures the logistical, economic, and legal conditions under which passengers traveled, making it a vital primary source for historians, genealogists, and educators studying early 20th-century migration patterns.
Unlike the traditional westward movement of immigrants, this contract highlights a lesser-documented eastbound journey, possibly of European expatriates, returning soldiers, or travelers heading back to war-torn Europe.
🌍 Why This Collection Is Important
🛳️ 1. The Changing Face of Transatlantic Migration
The 1910s saw a shift in migration patterns as European nations tightened emigration laws while U.S. immigration policies became more restrictive.
Many of these documents represent some of the last large waves of European migration before stricter regulations were implemented in the 1920s.
The inclusion of Jewish migration (e.g., Josef Aronawitz’s voyage aboard the RMS Zeeland in 1912) reflects a crucial period of Eastern European Jewish displacement, setting the stage for later refugee movements.
🚂 2. Rail and Ocean Travel Interconnection
The Great Western Railway Emigrant Ticket (1912) shows the crucial role of inland rail travel in facilitating migration.
Many emigrants first traveled by train from small towns to major ports before embarking on their transatlantic voyage.
These documents highlight how steamship companies worked with railway networks to create a seamless migration experience.
💰 3. The Cost & Economics of Ocean Travel
Ticket receipts such as Mary Ellen McGuire’s prepaid third-class ticket for the RMS Laconia in 1913 ($39, or about $1,050 today) provide critical insight into the financial burden of migration.
Second-class travel, such as Jessie M. Clerihew’s SS California ticket from New York to Glasgow (1912), shows a middle-class transatlantic experience, offering more comfort but still affordable compared to first class.
The Fabre Line SS Patria contract (1915) offers a wartime perspective, demonstrating how migration continued despite the global conflict.
⚓ 4. Ocean Liners as Global Connectors
The documents feature some of the most famous steamships of the era, including:
🔹RMS Campania (a luxury liner turned immigration vessel).
🔹RMS Laconia (a ship with a deep connection to GG Archives’ founder’s family).
🔹SS President Lincoln (a Hamburg America Line vessel used for prepaid German immigration).
🔹SS Dunvegan Castle (a colonial-era ship connecting Africa to Europe).
Each ship played a pivotal role in global migration, whether carrying poor immigrants, colonial officials, or wartime travelers.
🗺️ 5. Unique Stories & Unexpected Journeys
🔹The return voyage of Beatrice Gilligan on the SS Laconia (1913) from Boston to Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland, highlights the often-overlooked reverse migration of immigrants going home.
🔹The SS Cassandra ticket (1914) reflects North American migration via Canada, as Miss Ruth Immel traveled from Glasgow to Montreal, showing alternative routes beyond Ellis Island.
🔹Ludvig Gjønvik’s RMS Laconia contract (1913) carries a deep personal connection to the GG Archives, preserving a direct link between history and the Archive’s founding family.
📜 Noteworthy Documents & Their Historical Importance
🖼️ RMS Campania (1910) – A British Immigrant’s Journey
📌 A third-class ticket receipt for Henry Youds, traveling from Liverpool to New York.
📌 Significance:
🔹Highlights the mass movement of British immigrants to America.
🔹Provides details on early 20th-century ticket pricing and logistics.
🖼️ SS President Lincoln (1912) – Prepaid Immigration from Germany
📌 A prepaid steerage passage for a German immigrant, Matthäus Florek, traveling from Hamburg to Pennsylvania.
📌 Significance:
🔹Demonstrates how prepaid tickets facilitated family reunification.
🔹Provides a key genealogical link for those tracing German-American ancestry.
🖼️ RMS Laconia (1913) – A Norwegian Immigrant’s Passage
📌 A third-class passage contract for Ludvig Gjønvik, a Norwegian immigrant arriving in Boston.
📌 Significance:
🔹Ties directly to the GG Archives’ founder’s ancestry.
🔹Illustrates the Norwegian migration experience, including inland rail and ocean travel.
🖼️ SS Dunvegan Castle (1912) – British Colonial Migration
📌 A Deck Class ticket for Mr. S. Peroganakis from Port Said, Egypt, to Delagoa Bay (now Maputo, Mozambique).
📌 Significance:
🔹Illustrates how steamship lines connected Europe to Africa.
🔹Highlights colonial-era passenger movements that are rarely documented.
🖼️ SS Cassandra (1914) – A Transatlantic Journey Amidst War
📌 A second-cabin ticket for Ruth Immel, traveling from Glasgow to Montreal just weeks before World War I began.
📌 Significance:
🔹Shows how the outbreak of war disrupted global travel.
🔹Offers a window into second-class accommodations.
📚 Conclusion – A Decade of Migration & Change
The 1910s were a transformative decade for ocean travel, marked by mass migration, wartime disruptions, and shifting global travel patterns. The passage contracts and tickets in this collection offer a direct glimpse into the lived experiences of immigrants, colonial travelers, and wartime voyagers, making them invaluable to researchers, educators, and family historians.
This decade bridged the "Golden Age" of steamships with the dramatic geopolitical shifts of World War I, and these documents capture that transition beautifully. Whether exploring family migration stories, the economics of steamship travel, or the colonial networks of the British Empire, this collection is a treasure trove of maritime history.
🚢 Every ticket tells a story, and every journey shaped the world as we know it. 🌍✨
