RMS Germanic (1880) Prepaid Passage Ticket: British Immigration & Transatlantic Travel to America

📌 Explore the 1880 prepaid steerage passage ticket for John Price aboard the RMS Germanic. Learn about British immigration, transatlantic travel, and White Star Line history. A must-read for historians, genealogists, and maritime enthusiasts.

RMS Germanic of the White Star Line Agent's Record for Prepaid Steerage Passage for One Adult, UK to New York or Boston, 29 May 1880, (Plus Rail to Scranton, PA). GGA Image ID # 12d40cad9a

Summary of Agent's Record

• Date of Purchase / Voyage: 29 May 1880
• Steamship Line: White Star Line
• Steamship: SS Germanic
• Route: Cardiff, Whales, UK to Scranton PA
• Ticket Type: Agent's Record (Prepaid)
• Voyage Class: Steerage
• Name on Contract: John Price
• Etnicity of Passenger(s): British
• Contract Terms: Unknown
• Cost of Ticket: $32.00 / $836.00 in 2021 USD

Agent's Record Details

This is the Agent's Record for a Prepaid passage on a White Star Line Steamship for passage from Cardiff, Whales, UK to Scranton PA via Steerage class in 1880. Note: The typical route for the RMS Germanic in 1880 was Liverpool to New York.

Ticket Number: 40915

White Star Line

Steerage Prepaid

Agents' Record

Date Sold: 29 May 1880

Name of Intending Passenger: John Price; Age: 43

One Adult Zero Child Zero Infant

Amount Received, including Fare from Cardiff to Scranton? $ 32.00

Deduct Agent's Commission $2.30

Net [ To White Star Line ]: 29.70

Purchased by Abraham Price

Address: Hyde Park [NY]

Date Remitted: 4 June 1880

Vertical handwritten note: $29.30 Paid by 1st Nat Check No. 13, June 8, 1880

Passenger Record

• First Name : John
• Last Name : Price
• Nationality : England
• Place of Birth : England
• Date of Arrival : 1 January 1881 
• Age at Arrival : 45
• Gender : Male
• Status: Married
• Profession: Laborer
• Ship of Travel : Germanic
• Class of Travel: Steerage
• Passenger ID: 9012214566507
• Frame: 161
• Manifest Line Number : 8

Relative Cost of Passage Ticket in Today's Currency Value

In 2020, the relative values of $32.00 from 1880 ranges from $756.00 to $63,900.00.

A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is $836.00. This answer is obtained by multiplying $32 by the percentage increase in the CPI 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.

If you want to compare the value of a $32.00 Commodity in 1880 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real price of that commodity is $836.00
• labor value of that commodity is $6,480.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $9,380.00 (using production worker compensation)
• income value of that commodity is $9,730.00
• economic share of that commodity is $63,900.00

If you want to compare the value of a $32.00 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 $836.00
• relative labor earnings of that commodity are $6,480.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $9,380.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative income value of that income or wealth is $9,730.00
• relative output value of that income or wealth is $63,900.00

If you want to compare the value of a $32.00 Project in 1880 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real cost of that project is $756.00
• labor cost of that project is $6,480.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $9,380.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative cost of that project is $9,730.00
• economy cost of that project is $63,900.00

Source: www.measuringworth.com Samuel H. Williamson, "Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount, 1790 to present," MeasuringWorth, 2022.

🚢 Recap & Summary: RMS Germanic Prepaid Passage (29 May 1880) 🇬🇧➡️🇺🇸

🌍 A Glimpse into British Immigration & Transatlantic Travel in 1880

The RMS Germanic Agent’s Record for Prepaid Steerage Passage, dated 29 May 1880, is an important historical document reflecting the migration of working-class Europeans to the United States during the late 19th century.

This particular prepaid ticket was purchased for John Price, a 43-year-old British laborer, traveling from Cardiff, Wales, to Scranton, Pennsylvania via steerage class on the RMS Germanic of the White Star Line.

For genealogists, this passage record offers valuable details on an ancestor’s migration journey, including who purchased the ticket, where the journey started, and the ultimate destination. For historians and educators, it serves as a tangible example of prepaid passage systems, which helped immigrants overcome financial barriers to migration.

The prepaid ticket was a lifeline for many working-class immigrants, as it allowed families already in America to send money for loved ones to join them, facilitating family reunification and the growth of immigrant communities in the United States.

📜 Key Voyage Details

• Date of Purchase: 29 May 1880
• Ship: RMS Germanic (White Star Line)
• Route: Cardiff, Wales → New York or Boston → Scranton, PA
• Passenger: John Price
• Age: 43
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: Laborer
• Ticket Type: Agent’s Record (Prepaid Steerage Ticket)
• Voyage Class: Steerage
• Final Destination: Scranton, Pennsylvania
• Purchaser: Abraham Price (Hyde Park, NY)
• Ticket Cost: $32.00 (Equivalent to $836.00–$63,900.00 in 2021 USD, depending on economic comparison method)

🛳️ The RMS Germanic & The White Star Line: A Path to the New World

The RMS Germanic, built in 1874, was a premier transatlantic steamship of the White Star Line, known for its safety, speed, and reliability. This vessel was one of the fastest and most advanced steamers of its time, making the voyage across the Atlantic in about 7–10 days.

By the 1880s, Britain was experiencing economic shifts, particularly in industrial cities like Cardiff, where many laborers faced job insecurity. America, on the other hand, was expanding rapidly, particularly in mining regions like Scranton, Pennsylvania, which had a high demand for labor.

🚢 The Germanic’s Role in British Migration

✅ Brought thousands of immigrants to America, especially laborers seeking work in coal mines, factories, and railroads.

✅ A vital link in chain migration, where one family member would immigrate first and later send for relatives.

✅ A testament to the efficiency of prepaid passage systems, which enabled many who could not afford travel costs upfront to migrate.

📌 Noteworthy Contract Details & Passenger Rights

This agent’s record provides critical insights into prepaid immigration travel:

🔹 Prepaid Passage System → John Price’s ticket was paid for by Abraham Price in Hyde Park, New York, demonstrating the common practice of sponsorship by relatives already in America.

🔹 Steerage Class → Price traveled steerage, the most affordable yet least comfortable class on board. While conditions were harsh, White Star Line vessels provided better accommodations than earlier sailing ships.

🔹 Multi-Stage Journey → The passage did not end in New York or Boston—John Price had a prepaid rail ticket to Scranton, Pennsylvania, emphasizing the importance of industrial hubs in American immigration.

🔹 Agent’s Role → The ticket was purchased through an immigration agent, showing the network of brokers who facilitated transatlantic migration. The agent’s commission ($2.30) was deducted from the total fare.

🔹 Refund Policy → If the draft was not used within six months, a new one would be issued, providing financial security for immigrants who may have faced travel delays.

📸 Noteworthy Images & Their Significance

🖼️ RMS Germanic Agent’s Record (1880)

A historical document illustrating how prepaid passage worked, a key system in facilitating transatlantic migration.

Reveals economic transactions behind immigration, showing who paid for the ticket and how funds were processed.

🖼️ Passenger Manifest (New York, 1 January 1881)

Provides official documentation of John Price’s arrival in America, verifying that he completed his journey.

Lists his occupation as a laborer, highlighting the economic motivations behind British immigration to the U.S.

📚 Why This Document is Important for Different Audiences

👨‍🏫 For Historians & Teachers

Demonstrates the role of prepaid passage in 19th-century migration.

Highlights the economic conditions that drove British laborers to America.

Connects historical immigration policies to personal migration stories.

🧬 For Genealogists

A valuable document for tracing British ancestors, providing a direct migration record.

Helps confirm family connections, as the ticket identifies both the traveler and the sponsor in America.

Provides details on departure and arrival locations, which can help reconstruct an ancestor’s journey.

📖 For Students & Researchers

Offers a primary source for studying 19th-century immigration trends.

Shows how steamship companies operated and marketed travel to immigrants.

Provides insight into economic class distinctions in transatlantic travel.

🌎 Final Thoughts: A Ticket to a New Life

The RMS Germanic Prepaid Passage Ticket is more than just a financial transaction record—it represents hope, opportunity, and the struggles of European immigrants seeking a better life in America.

It tells the story of John Price, a 43-year-old British laborer, whose journey from Cardiff to Scranton, Pennsylvania, was funded by a relative already settled in the U.S. This highlights:

• The power of family support in immigration.
• The economic necessity of migration for working-class Europeans.
• The efficiency of transatlantic passenger steamships and railroad networks.
• The transition from old sailing ships to modern steamship travel.

For many like John Price, the prepaid ticket was the key to a fresh start in the New World. Through this document, manifest, and historical context, we gain a profound understanding of the human stories behind immigration records, making it an essential resource for teachers, genealogists, and historians alike. 🚢📜🇺🇸