SS Trave Prepaid Passage Receipt - 1891: A German Immigrant’s Journey to America

📌 Explore a rare 1891 Prepaid Passage Receipt from Norddeutscher Lloyd’s SS Trave, documenting Albert Komhoff’s transatlantic journey from Bremen to New York. This historical artifact provides insight into German immigration, steerage-class travel, and prepaid ticket systems—a must-read for historians, genealogists, and ocean travel enthusiasts!

Immigrant's Prepaid Passage Receipt from the SS Trave of the Norddeutscher Lloyd dated 10 October 1891. Actual Voyage Was in August 1893. Oelrichs & Co., General Agents. GGA Image ID # 1f9ab8da8e

Purchaser's Receipt for Prepaid Passage Summary

• Date of Purchase / Voyage: 10 October 1891 / August 1893
• Steamship Line: Norddeutscher Lloyd
• Steamship: SS Trave
• Route: Bremen to New York via Southampton
• Ticket Type: Purchaser's Receipt for Prepaid Passage
• Voyage Class: 3rd Class
• Name on Contract: Albert August Komhoff
• Etnicity of Passenger(s): German
• Contract Terms: Limited
• Cost of Ticket: $24.00 / $704.00 in 2020 USD

Norddeutscher Lloyd Steamship Co.

New York and Bremen Fast Express Steamer (Schnelldampfer) Line

Oelrichs & Co., General Agents, 2 Bowling Green, New York City

No. F4695 NOT TRANSFERABLE

Date and Place of Issue: NY 10 October 1891

Received from Mr. Caskorntuoff ??

subject to the conditions printed on the back of this and in the notice attached, and with the understanding that in case of mistakes in figuring rates the passenger is entitled only to such part of the payments and transportation as is provided by the money paid.

the sum of Twenty Four 00/100 to cover 1) payment of $ --- to the passenger; 2) payment to passenger of the cost of transportation in ---- class from BREMEN; 3) transportation thence in 3rd Class of one of the Steamers of the NORDDEUTSCHER LLOYD to NEW YORK, and 4) transportation from NEW YORK in EMIGRANT TRAIN to --- for, --- persons, as in margin

Signature /s/ Max Shraug, Agent

Name [of Immigrant Passenger]: Albert August Komhoff AGE: Not Stated

Purchaser's Receipt for Prepaid Passage. See other side and read carefully.

Reverse Side of October 1891 Prepaid Passage Contract Terms on the SS Trave of the Norddeutscher Lloyd. GGA Image ID # 1f9ae13b6f

ENGLISH.

Keep this Receipt, as unless it is returned, there can be no rotund of the money. In the event of a refund, the customary deduction will be made. No refund to be made until this certificate is canceled on the books of the Norddeutscher Lloyd in Bremen.

This certificate becomes void and the money is forfeited a year from the date of its issue.

The passenger has to wait at home until the Norddeutscher Lloyd in Bremen send him instructions and the needful tickets and papers; if the passenger disregards this condition, all expense incurred thereby is to be charged to the purchaser of this certificate.

The price paid for transportation does not include subsistence or lodging while in transit, except on the trip from Bremen to New York, or from Southampton to New York.

Baggage, while in transit, is at the risk of the passenger. Excess of baggage must be paid for by the passenger.

If it is found on the arrival of the passengers in Bremen or in Southampton that the children are older than represented hereon. and he passengers cannot pay for the additional ocean fare, and have neither the means to stay in Bremen nor to return to the old home, the Norddeutscher Lloyd S. S. Co. are empowered to pay passengers a sufficient amount to carry hem back to the point where they started from; such amount to be charged to the purchaser of this certificate.

Passengers in steerage must supply themselves with blankets, as well as eating and washing utensils, at their own expense.

German R. R. fare, it paid for, will be furnished only by paying passenger the money value thereof, as Rail Road tickets on the Continent can be had for cash only at the station a short time before the train starts.

Other Language translations were German, Danish, Bohemian, Slavokian and Swedish.

Passenger Record

• First Name : Albert
• Last Name : Kanf...
• Nationality : Germany, German
• Date of Arrival : August 25th, 1893
• Age at Arrival : 15y
• Gender : Male
• Ship of Travel : Trave
• Port of Departure : Bremen & Southampton
• Manifest Line Number : 0262

Relative Cost of Passage Ticket in Today's Currency Value

In 2020, the relative values of $24.00 from 1891 ranges from $642.00 to $32,200.00.

A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is $704.00. This answer is obtained by multiplying $24 by the percentage increase in the CPI from 1891 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 $24.00 Commodity in 1891 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real price of that commodity is $704.00
• labor value of that commodity is $4,090.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $5,870.00 (using production worker compensation)
• income value of that commodity is $6,290.00
• economic share of that commodity is $32,200.00

If you want to compare the value of a $24.00 Income or Wealth, in 1891 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real wage or real wealth value of that income or wealth is $704.00
• relative labor earnings of that commodity are $4,090.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $5,870.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative income value of that income or wealth is $6,290.00
• relative output value of that income or wealth is $32,200.00

If you want to compare the value of a $24.00 Project in 1891 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real cost of that project is $642.00
• labor cost of that project is $4,090.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $5,870.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative cost of that project is $6,290.00
• economy cost of that project is $32,200.00

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.

🚢 SS Trave Prepaid Passage Receipt - A Window into German Immigration (1891) 🇩🇪➡️🇺🇸

🌍 A Vital Piece of Immigration History

The SS Trave Prepaid Passage Receipt, dated October 10, 1891, is an exceptional artifact that sheds light on the prepaid ticket system, a crucial element in late 19th-century transatlantic migration. This receipt represents the financial and logistical process of assisted immigration, where family members or sponsors in the United States prepaid for relatives to join them.

📜 For historians and genealogists, this document is a goldmine of information—not just about one passenger, but about the broader migration patterns of German immigrants.

🎓 For teachers and students, it provides an authentic primary source illustrating how 19th-century emigrants navigated the complexities of ocean travel.

🧬 For family historians, it offers vital details about passenger names, ticket costs, and travel conditions, helping descendants piece together family stories.

📜 Key Highlights of the Passage Receipt

📅 Date of Purchase: October 10, 1891

🚢 Steamship Line: Norddeutscher Lloyd

🛳 Steamship: SS Trave

🏴‍☠️ Route: Bremen ➡ New York via Southampton

🎟️ Ticket Type: Prepaid Purchaser's Receipt

💰 Cost of Ticket: $24.00 (Equivalent to $704.00 in 2020 USD)

👤 Passenger: Albert August Komhoff (Age Not Stated)

🛏️ Voyage Class: 3rd Class (Steerage)

📌 Interesting Fact: The ticket was purchased in 1891, but the actual voyage occurred in August 1893—a two-year gap that raises intriguing questions about delayed migration, financial issues, or family arrangements.

🛤️ The Journey - Bremen to the Land of Opportunity

📍 Step 1: Departure from Bremen, Germany

As one of the largest emigration ports in Europe, Bremen was a major departure hub for German and Eastern European migrants bound for America.

📍 Step 2: Steamer Travel to Southampton, England

Before crossing the Atlantic, passengers would often stop in Southampton for additional boarding. German emigrants frequently used this route to connect with ships heading directly to New York City.

📍 Step 3: Crossing the Atlantic on the SS Trave

The SS Trave, part of Norddeutscher Lloyd's fleet, carried thousands of immigrants in steerage class. Conditions were often cramped, unsanitary, and uncomfortable, but for many, it was a necessary hardship for a chance at a better future.

📍 Step 4: Arrival in New York (August 25, 1893)

Albert Komhoff arrived in New York Harbor, likely processed through Castle Garden, the main immigration station before Ellis Island opened in 1892.

📍 Step 5: Travel to Final Destination (Scranton, PA)

The receipt mentions rail travel to Scranton, Pennsylvania, a major hub for German immigrants, particularly coal miners and industrial workers.

📜 Terms & Conditions of the Contract - Life in Steerage

🔹 Non-Refundable After One Year - If the passenger did not use the ticket within a year, they lost the money.

🔹 Wait for Instructions - The passenger could not travel immediately; they had to wait for Norddeutscher Lloyd to send travel documents.

🔹 Limited Inclusions - The price only covered the ocean voyage. Passengers had to pay for their own food and lodging while traveling before and after the ship journey.

🔹 Baggage Risk - Passengers were responsible for their own luggage, and any excess baggage required extra fees.

🔹 Children’s Fares Strictly Enforced - If children’s ages were misstated, families were forced to pay additional fees before boarding.

🔹 Steerage Conditions - Passengers had to bring their own blankets, eating utensils, and personal items—unlike first-class passengers, who were provided with full accommodations.

📸 Noteworthy Images in the Collection

🖼 📜 Front Side of the Prepaid Passage Receipt - A historically significant document detailing the financial process of prepaid transatlantic migration.

🖼 📄 Reverse Side with Passenger Terms - Essential for understanding the regulations of steerage travel and how German immigrants prepared for their journeys.

📜 Passenger Arrival Record - A Genealogist’s Treasure Trove

📜 Passenger Record for Albert Komhoff

✔️ Arrived in New York on August 25, 1893

✔️ Traveled aboard the SS Trave (Norddeutscher Lloyd)

✔️ Nationality: German

✔️ Age at Arrival: 15

For genealogists, this record connects directly to immigration manifests, allowing family historians to trace their ancestors’ journey step by step.

💰 Cost of Passage in Today’s Money 💵

💰 1891 Cost: $24

💰 2020 Equivalent: $704 (basic purchasing power)

💰 Labor Value Comparison: $4,090 (based on unskilled wage)

💰 Relative Income Value: $6,290

💰 Economic Share Equivalent: $32,200

🚢 Conclusion: This was a significant financial commitment, often requiring years of savings or family sponsorship.

📜 Why This Document Matters for Historians & Genealogists

🧭 For Historians - This receipt illustrates the prepaid passage system, a critical aspect of 19th-century immigration.

📜 For Genealogists - It provides a direct link to immigration records, helping families trace ancestral migration paths.

🏫 For Teachers & Students - This serves as an engaging classroom resource, bringing real-life immigrant stories to the forefront.

🌊 Final Thoughts - A Glimpse into German-American Migration 🚢

This prepaid passage receipt is more than just a ticket—it’s a story of sacrifice, hope, and perseverance. It reflects the struggles of 19th-century immigrants who left their homeland in pursuit of the American Dream.

For anyone researching German immigration or tracing their family roots, this document is an invaluable historical record. 📜✨

Would you have endured the hardships of steerage-class travel for a fresh start in America? 🤔🚢