A Russian Jewish Immigrant’s Voyage to America: The 1912 Third-Class Passage Contract of Josef Aronawitz Aboard RMS Zeeland

Discover the 1912 passage contract for Josef Aronawitz, a Russian Jewish immigrant, aboard the RMS Zeeland. This rare document provides a firsthand look at early 20th-century immigration, the conditions of steerage travel, and the journey to Ellis Island.

RMS Zeeland of the Red Star Line Third Class Passage Contract Dated 10 August 1912, Antwerp to New York, Arriving in New York 20 August 1912. GGA Image ID # 1fa121d7bc

Summary of Passage Contract

• Date of Purchase / Voyage: 10 August 1912
• Steamship Line: Red Star Line
• Steamship: RMS Zeeland
• Route: Antwerp to New York
• Ticket Type: Passage Contract
• Voyage Class: Third Class
• Name on Contract: Josef Aronawitz
• Etnicity of Passenger(s): Russian
• Contract Terms: Translated from Dutch
• Cost of Ticket: Not Stated

Passage Contract Details

Red Star Line
Regular and Direct Service between
Antwerp & New York

Manifest No. 577

Names and Baby Names | Age

Aronawitz, Josef | 24

Adults: 1 | Children 1-12 years: 0 | Infants of 12 months: 0

Hometown: [Biolc]
Country: [Russia]
Occupation:

Antwerp, 10 August 1912

Received the amount indicated in the margin with which the undersigned agree to be transported from Antwerp to New York in accordance with the laws and regulations both Belgium and countries of destination, the persons named above against.

S'effectuers transport from Antwerp to New York in the 3rd class of the steamboat called [RMS Zeeland] ____ ____ ______ captain of the Red Star Line in New York for the start of which is set in Antwerp _________________________________.

The price of passage includes:

1. The passage to the port of destination, including free use of a mattress with pillow, a blanket and utensils made of tin.
2. The regulatory food from Antwerp to port of destination.
3. The transport of 100 kg of personal baggage per adult. The excess must be paid at a rate of 31.25 to 100 kg.
4. All fees collected on both emigrants boarding at port of destination latter known as the "Head Tax Money and Hospital. "

The undersigned state that they have also received the amount indicated in the margin with which they undertake to carry the same people from New York to _______________ by rail 3rd Class (emigrant train) or channel with 150 pounds of baggage free and the facilities of the Red Star Line in New York, the responsibility of each company is limited to transportation routes made on its lines.

Courtesy of The Bears - Susan, Fred, Jordon & Michale. Fred's maternal grandfather's steamship passage from Antwerp to New York, August 10, 1912. We come from many places, but are one people.

Ellis Island Passenger Record

• First Name : Josef
• Last Name : Aronawitz
• Nationality : Russia, Hebrew
• Last Place of Residence : Biolc, Russia
• Date of Arrival : 20 August 1912
• Age at Arrival : 24y
• Gender : Male
• Marital Status : Single
• Ship of Travel : Zeeland
• Port of Departure : Antwerp
• Manifest Line Number : 0007

Recap and Summary: RMS Zeeland Passage Contract – 10 August 1912 🚢

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.

📜 Key Details of the Voyage

• Date of Purchase: August 10, 1912
• Voyage Departure & Arrival: Antwerp → New York, Arrival: August 20, 1912
• Ship: RMS Zeeland (Red Star Line)
• Passenger: Josef Aronawitz, a 24-year-old Russian Jewish immigrant
• Class: Third Class (Steerage)
• Hometown: Biolc, Russia
• Final Destination: New York, with possible rail transfer to another city
• Ethnicity: Hebrew (Jewish Russian)

🌍 The Immigration Context – Why This Voyage Mattered

At the time of Josef Aronawitz's journey in 1912, Eastern Europe, particularly Tsarist Russia, was a tumultuous place for Jewish communities. Many faced:

Religious persecution, pogroms, and antisemitic violence

Severe economic hardship and political oppression under the Russian Empire

Forced conscription into the Russian military, particularly for Jewish men

Lack of rights and systemic discrimination

For many Jews like Josef, America represented hope, safety, and opportunity, and the steerage decks of ships like the RMS Zeeland were packed with immigrants seeking new lives in the United States.

📌 Why This Journey is Historically Important

Reflects the Jewish immigration wave from Russia to America (1880–1924).

Symbolizes the classic Ellis Island story—Josef was part of millions who entered the U.S. through this gateway.

Highlights the role of the Red Star Line in facilitating immigration from Eastern Europe.

Demonstrates the conditions of third-class travel, revealing what immigrants endured during the transatlantic voyage.

🛳️ The RMS Zeeland: An Immigrant Ship

The RMS Zeeland, part of the Red Star Line, was a key vessel in the mass migration of Europeans to America in the early 20th century.

📌 Notable Ship Features:

Gross Tonnage: 11,905 tons

Length: 580 feet

Passenger Capacity: 1,162 total

• 342 First-Class
• 194 Second-Class
• 626 Third-Class (Steerage)

Regular Antwerp to New York Service

The third-class accommodations, where Josef traveled, were cramped, poorly ventilated, and overcrowded, reflecting the harsh realities of steerage-class immigration.

📑 The Passage Contract: What It Tells Us

📝 Contract Details

• Issued by: Red Star Line, Antwerp
• Date of Purchase: August 10, 1912
• Class of Travel: Third-Class (Steerage)
• Passenger Name: Josef Aronawitz
• Home Country: Russia
• Contract Language: Dutch (translated)
• Cost of Ticket: Not stated

This document formalized Josef's journey, ensuring his passage from Antwerp to New York and outlining his rights and responsibilities as a passenger.

📦 What Was Included in the Ticket Price?

Basic Accommodation in Steerage:

A mattress with a pillow, a blanket, and tin eating utensils (basic but essential for the rough conditions of steerage travel).

Regulation Meals During the Voyage:

Limited food rations provided onboard (usually bread, potatoes, soup, and water).

Baggage Allowance:

100 kg (220 lbs) per adult (any excess luggage was charged at an extra cost).

Fees and Immigration Taxes:

The ticket price included the “Head Tax” and “Hospital Fee” collected upon arrival in New York.

Rail Transport from New York to Final Destination:

Some prepaid tickets covered rail fare within the U.S., indicating that Josef may have had further travel planned after landing in America.

🚨 Strict Immigration Rules

Josef’s journey was governed by stringent U.S. immigration laws, which required:

Medical exams upon arrival at Ellis Island

Proof of financial means or a sponsor in the U.S.

Adherence to U.S. immigration quotas and nationality-based restrictions

Any failure to meet these requirements could lead to detention or deportation.

📸 Noteworthy Images

🖼️ RMS Zeeland Passage Contract

A rare, original document from 1912, showing the actual agreement between the Red Star Line and the passenger.

Written in Dutch, reinforcing the importance of Antwerp as a major immigrant departure port.

🖼️ Ellis Island Passenger Record for Josef Aronawitz

Confirms Josef’s arrival on August 20, 1912, listing him as a 24-year-old Jewish Russian immigrant from Biolc, Russia.

Shows the official U.S. government record of his arrival, a vital genealogical resource for researchers.

🖼️ RMS Zeeland at Sea

A powerful visual of the vessel that carried thousands of immigrants like Josef to America.

Highlights the scale and importance of the Red Star Line in immigration history.

🔍 Why This Document is Valuable

📚 For Historians & Teachers

Illustrates real immigration processes in the early 20th century.

Shows the impact of Jewish migration from Russia to the U.S.

Demonstrates the bureaucratic nature of migration, offering a primary source document for classroom analysis.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Genealogists

Provides tangible evidence of immigration, useful for family history research.

Helps descendants of Jewish immigrants trace their lineage.

Shows how Red Star Line contracts formalized passage for European emigrants.

🌎 For Students & Researchers

Highlights the economic and social realities of immigration.

Reinforces the harsh conditions of third-class travel.

Demonstrates the challenges immigrants faced before even setting foot in America.

🌍 Final Thoughts: A Story of Hope and Migration

Josef Aronawitz’s third-class passage contract represents far more than a simple transaction—it encapsulates the struggles, aspirations, and challenges faced by Eastern European Jewish immigrants seeking a new life in America.

This document provides a deeply personal yet universally relevant glimpse into the immigrant experience, helping us better understand the sacrifices made by those who came before us.

A true Ellis Island story—one of courage, resilience, and the pursuit of a better future. 🌎🛳️✨