Voyage to New Lives: SS Derfflinger’s 17 March 1928 Passenger List from Bremen to New York
Front Cover, SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List of the North German Lloyd, Departing Saturday, 17 March 1928 from Bremen to Halifax and New York, Commanded by Captain H. Hashagen. | GGA Image ID # 22508db5b9
🚢 Voyage Overview: SS Derfflinger – Bremen to Halifax & New York, 17 March 1928
On 17 March 1928, the SS Derfflinger, a Norddeutscher Lloyd liner, embarked on a transatlantic journey from Bremen, Germany to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then to New York City, under the command of Captain H. Hashagen. This Third Class Passenger List captures the hopes and movements of nearly 400 individuals—immigrants, returning Americans, and transatlantic travelers—during a dynamic interwar period.
The Derfflinger, part of the esteemed Norddeutscher Lloyd fleet, was one of several ships maintaining vital connections between Europe and the Americas. Its March 1928 voyage was typical of the period, transporting working-class travelers seeking new lives, family reunions, or economic opportunity.
Senior Officers and Staff
- Commander: Captain H. Hashagen
- First Officer: W. Jaehnigen
- Second Officer: R. Möhring
- Third Officer: H. Vollmers
- Fourth Officer: H. Ricklefs
- Physician: Dr. Brennecke
- First Engineer: K. Meyering
- Second Engineer: B. Grahl
- Third Engineer: A. Fritz
- Third Engineer: Ä. v. Seggern
- Purser: R. Hesse
- Second Purser: H. Spüring
- Chief Steward: W. Krumbiegel
- Chief Steward, Third Class: C. Wurl
- Chief Steward, Third Class: H. Strate
- Chief Cook: H. Kracke
- Baggage Master: Chr. Ramke
- Radio Officer: R. Trost
- Radio Officer's Assistant: H. Bonin
Passengers to New York
- Mr. Wilhelm Agathon
- Mrs. Agathon
- Mr. Heinrich Baumgärtner
- Miss Bertha Bergmann
- Mr. Willy Bock
- Mr. Johann Borchers
- Mr. Paul Bös
- Mr. Carl Brandt
- Mr. Reinhold Broschmann
- Mr. Fritz Brossmer
- Miss Anna Bünnemann
- Mr. Johann Bürkl
- Mr. Paul Damerius
- Mr. Johann Deeken
- Mrs. Johann Deeken
- Mr. Richard Diehl
- Miss Maria Dymel
- Mr. Fritz Eberle
- Mr. Karl Ebert
- Mr. Albert Eckert
- Miss Martha Eicher
- Mr. Rudolf Ertz
- Mr. Wilhelm Erxmeyer
- Mrs. Anna Fehrholz
- Miss Grete Fehrholz
- Hans Fehrholz
- Miss Charlotte Fehrholz
- Mr. Wilhelm Flügel
- Mr. Erwin Flügel
- Mr. Kaspar Golling
- Mr. Willy Graszat
- Miss Paula Gronowski
- Mr. Ernst Grübe
- Mr. Rolf Harms
- Mr. Johann Hauptmann
- Mr. Georg Hechinger
- Mrs. Georg Hechinger
- Mr. Otto Heim
- Mr. Julius Heintz
- Mr. Lüder Heißenbüttel
- Miss Therese Henkel
- Mr. Wilhelm Holtmann
- Mr. Rudolf Jornes
- Mr. Paul Kanisch
- Mr. Friedrich Kaps
- Mr. Hermann Kasper
- Mr. Alfred Kettner and Family
- Miss Charlotte Knobeloch
- Miss Helene Koschate
- Mr. Josef Kreger
- Mrs. Kreger
- Mr. Klas Kruse
- Mr. Franz Lengering
- Mrs. Lengering
- Mr. Wilhelm Lübken
- Mr. Rudolf Marnmen
- Mr. Wilhelm Martin
- Mr. Henry Meyer
- Mr. Klaas Meyer
- Miss Berta Miihlberger
- Mr. Hans Mütze
- Mrs. Klara Neubauer
- Miss Leonie Neubauer
- Miss Regina Neubauer
- Mr. Gustav Neubauer
- Mr. Jan W. Ohling
- Mr. Ewald OhIsen
- Mr. Josef Pettauer
- Mr. Josef Preis
- Mr. Eduard Prochau
- Mr. Ernst Reichmann
- Mrs. Reichmann
- Mr. Hermann Ricken
- Mr. Albert Roos
- Mr. Hugo Rubenstahl
- Mr. Cornelius Saathoff
- Miss Louise Sachon
- Mr. Alfred Sengstack
- Mrs. Gertrud Söder
- and Child
- Mr. Johann Schauberger
- Mr. Eduard Schäfer
- Mr. Johann Schiitzel
- Mr. Alfred Schilling
- Mr. Emil Schmollinger
- Mr. Martin Schreiber
- Mr. Alfred Schubert
- Mr. Wilhelm Stieber
- Mr. Hans Stockhausen
- Mr. Gustav Straub
- Miss Lina Tütjer
- Mr. Georg Vöth
- Mr. Karl Wagner
- Miss Pauline Weissenburger
- Miss Anna Werner
- Miss Ida Wiegand
- Mr. Johannes Winkenbach
- Mr. Georg Zender
- Mr. Karl Zimmermann
- Mrs. Karl Zimmermann
Passengers to Halifx NS
- Mr. Johann Abel
- Mr. Xaver Abt
- Mr. Jonas Adamunas
- Mr. Josef Alberding
- Mr. Ernst Albers
- Daniel Albrecht
- Mr. Samuel Albrecht
- Mr. Josip Antonic
- Mr. Mihaly Antons
- Mr. Jacob Armbruster
- Mr. Paul Bago
- Mr. Heinr. Bahlmann
- Mr. Andreas Balko
- Mrs. Elisabeth Balko
- Richard Balko
- Erwin Balko
- Mr. Ondrej Barcak
- Mr. Josef Bastian
- Mr. Fritz Baumann
- Mr. Jacob Benda
- Mr. Johann Benko
- Mr. Sandor Benko
- Mr. Ferdinand Benko
- Miss Martha Berdon
- Mr. Joan Bergauer
- Mr. Franz Bermel
- Mr. Hinko Bermiler
- Mr. Otto Betschen
- Mrs. Marie Betschen
- Mr. Heinr. Biebert and Family
- Mr. Friedr. Binder
- Mr. Johann Binder
- Mr. Martin Binder
- Mr. Johann Binzer
- Mr. Wilhelm Birk
- Mr. Josef Blahusek
- Mr. Johann Blank
- Mr. Otto Blum
- Mr. Ernst Blum
- Mr. Friedr. Blumenstock
- Mr. Andreas Böhm
- Mr. Josef Bomanz
- Mr. Emil Bornhäuser
- Mr. Jacob Borsche
- Mrs. Borsche
- Mr. Martin Boschner
- Mr. Georg Böttjer
- Mr. Heinz Braasch
- Mr. Jacob Breisel
- Mr. Franz Brumm
- Mr. August Brüntjen
- Mr. Johann Buri
- Mr. Eduard Burstall
- Mrs. Florentine Burstall
- Florentine Burstall
- Lydia Burstall
- Reinhold Burstall
- Eduard Burstall
- Mr. Bernhard Burwinkel
- Mr. Franz Burwinkel
- Mr. Adam Busch
- Mr. Bernhard Buschemöhle
- Miss Anny Buchmann
- Mr. Frantisek Cambalik
- Mr. Josef Carol
- Mr. Adam Cas
- Mr. Karl Char
- Mr. Anton Chetholnic
- Mr. Mathias Christian
- Mr. Michael Cieslak
- Mr. Carl Crone
- Maria Crone
- Hubert Crone
- Miss Maria Dahlhaus
- Miss KatharinaDeggendorf
- Mr. Nikolaus Devald
- Mr. Ludwig Diekhaus
- Mr. Janos Dittrich
- Mr. Benjamin Dojalm
- Mr. Eduard Drachenburg
- Mr. Albert Dumat
- Mr. Hermann Dülmen
- Mrs. Anna Dulovik and Children
- Mr. Hans Eberhardt
- Mr. Hermann Eberhardt
- Mr. Johann Eberle
- Josefine Eberle
- Hubert Eberle
- Mr. Sebastian Ebervein
- Mr. Heinrich Egger
- Mr. Heinrich Elbers
- Mr. Mathias Elst
- Mr. Karl Erd
- Mr. Claus Erichsen
- Mr. Johann Falkowsky
- Mrs. Pauline Falkowsky
- Jakob Falkowsky
- David Falkowsky
- Maria Falkowsky
- Johann Falkowsky
- Marta Falkowsky
- Herbert Falkowsky
- Alfred Falkowsky
- Mr. Albert Fanz
- Mr. Johann Feßler
- and Family
- Mr. Eduard Festerling
- Mr. Josef Ficken
- Mr. Simon Flesch
- Miss Katharina Fleischer
- Mr. Jacob Flohr
- Mr. Johann Folmer
- Mr. Martin Forster
- Mrs. Barbara Forster
- Martin Forster
- Mr. Franz Francis
- Mr. Stefan Frank
- Anna Frank
- Mr. Josef Freiermut
- Mr. Nicolaus Freilinger
- Mr. Alexander' Freund
- Mrs. Auguste Freund
- Richard Freund
- Else Freund
- Miss Barbara French
- Mr. Otto Frey
- Mr. Otto Friederici
- Mr. Otto Fritsche
- Mr. Franz Gal
- Mrs. Erna Garten
- Wolfgang Garten
- Mr. Alrich Geertsema
- Mrs. Christine Geertsema
- Alrich Geertsema
- Miss Helene Geier
- Mr. Johann Geigenberger
- Mr. Heinrich Gerdes
- Mr. Andrej Gergel
- Mr. Ernst Gersbach
- Mr. Balthazar Gherner
- Mr. Joan Gierling
- Mr. Wilhelm Girteit
- Mr. Isidor Glanzmann
- Mr. Martin Gockler
- Mr. Stefan Gogosch
- Miss Louise Goll
- Mr. Johann Gollub
- Mr. Josef Gondosch
- Mr. Josef Gbttke
- Mr. Michael Graf
- Mr. Leo Gräter
- Mr. Josef Gravenhorst
- Mr. Mihail Gravitsch
- Mr. Stefan Gregostobires
- Mr. Heinrich Greten
- Mr. Georg Grimm
- Mr. Paul Gronau
- Mr. Josef Groß
- Mr. Gotthold Grünewald
- Mr. Josef Gstöttenmayer
- Mr. Lorenz Guszte
- Mr. Karl Gyacki
- Mr. Franz Haberl
- Mr. Josef Hackmann
- Mr. Otto Hanfeld
- Mr. Mathias Hantz
- Mr. Gottlob Härle
- Mrs. Caroline Härle
- Maria Härle
- Frieda Härle
- Hermann Härle
- Martha Härle
- Eugen Härle
- Ruth Härle
- Mr. Franz Heieck
- Mr. Anton Heim
- Mr. Gyorgy Hermann
- Mr. Nicolaus Hir
- Mr. Peter Hij and Family
- Miss Margareta Hildenzwang
- Mr. Johann Hillebrandt
- Mrs. Johann Hillebrandt
- Mr. Heinr. Hilpert
- Mr. Josef Hofaichner
- Mr. Michael Hoffmann
- Mr. Bernhard Hofmann
- Mr. Wilhelm Hofmann
- Mr. Anton Högl
- Mr. Leon Hollaszek
- Mr. Josef Holtvogt
- Mr. Wilhelm Honscheidt
- Mr. August Höne
- Mr. Bernhard Höne
- Mr. Leonas Hornas
- Mr. Josef Hornyak
- Mr. Josef Huber
- Miss Rosa Huber
- Mr. Emil Hummel
- Mr. Jacob Humstein
- Mr. Heinr. Hunker
- Mr. Otto Huslage
- Mr. Sjiepan Ilic
- Mr. August Ittermann
- Mr. Michael Jacobi
- Mr. Otto Jacobs
- Mr. Johann Janssen
- Mr. Isidor Joanics
- Mr. Franz Jozetcsuk
- Mr. Ferdinand Judt
- Mr. Johann Duster
- Mr. Johann Kanapeusz
- Mr. Josef Karch
- Mr. Alois Karl
- Mr. Mathias Kast
- Mr. Josef Katzenberger
- Mr. Adam Keck
- Mr. Johann Kelemen
- Mr. Karl Keller
- Mr. Rudolf Keppel
- Mr. Karl Kernst
- Mr. Julius Kerschek
- Mr. Michael Kick
- Mr. Rüdiger v. Kietzell
- Mr. Ignatz Kiltzer
- Mr. Karl Kittelberger
- Mr. Josef Kitzing
- Miss Anna Maria Klepp
- Mr. Mihai Klinger
- Mr. Andras Kloss
- Mr. Anton Knapp
- Mr. Libor Kneissle
- Miss Clara Knolez
- Mr. Stefan Knor
- Mr. Jacob Köhler
- Mr. Ans Peter Kdken
- Mrs. Valeska Koken
- Bernd-Kraft Koken
- Mrs. Ruth Koken-Hörlein
- Mr. Richard Koken-Hörlein
- Mr. Johann Kollin
- Miss Victoria Komparz
- Mr. Francisco Kompasz
- Mr. Mihai Konradt
- Mr. Richard Koopmann
- Mr. Adalbert Korsch
- Mr. Istvan Kovacs
- Mr. Ernst Kraft
- Mr. Juraj Krall
- Mr. Konrad Kramer
- Mr. Frantisek Krasek
- Mr. Georghe Krausz
- Mr. Samu Kreist
- Mr. Martin Kreitler
- Mr. Heinr. Kreke
- Mr. Adolf Krenn
- Mr. Alex Krompascik
- Mr. Rudolf Kruck
- Mr. Johann Kühn
- Mr. Karl Kühnl
- Mr. Josef Lacko
- Mr. Ludwig Langenek
- Mr. Georg Langer
- Mr. Andreas Leister
- Mr. Friedrich Lenz
- Mr. Karl Liebhafsky
- Mr. Hans Lindner
- Mr. Robert Lisch
- Mr. Kaspar Lohmann
- Mr. heul Ludwig
- Miss Maria Lünsbrink
- Miss Maria Lutz
- Miss Mine Lutz
- Mr. Hans Lutze
- Mr. Hermann Mäcker
- Mr. Martin Mahlar
- Mr. August Mählmeyer
- Mr. Hermann Maier
- Mr. Josef Makse
- Mr. Ilic Malek
- Mr. Jan Mandzak
- Mr. Johann Marcsinek
- Mrs. Agnes Marijoncu
- and Child
- Mr. Ferdinand Marksteiner
- Mr. Josef Masching
- Mr. Andrija Matesic
- Mr. Johann MathIs
- Mr. Michael Matschullis
- Mr. Richard Mausser
- Mr. Josef Mayer
- Mr. Ludwig Mayer
- Mr. Josef Mazi
- Mr. Wilhelm Mensing
- Mr. Joan Menyes
- Mr. Karl Merk
- Mr. Carl Merkle
- Mr. Jacob Metzger
- Mr. Jakob Meyer
- Mr. Stefan Micek
- Mr. Arthur Michal
- Mr. Vladimir Michalik
- Mr. Jurij Mihelic
- Mr. Max Miller
- Mr. Anton Milles
- Mr. Karl Mitterbacher
- Mr. Johann Moises
- Mr. Johann Mooris
- Mr. Hermann Möller
- Mr. Julius Möller
- Mr. Martin Molnar
- Mr. David Molnar
- Mr. Frantisek Moravek
- Mr. Johann Müller
- Mr. Mihail Mutter
- Mr. Karl Mutter
- Mr. Georg Nagel
- Mr. Alois Neglositz
- Mr. Stefan Neu
- Miss Anna Neuhaus
- Mr. Daniel Neumann
- Mr. Franz Niehus
- Mr. Rudolf Novoszel
- Mr. Joan Oberkirch
- Mr. Hermann Oesterreich
- Mr. Johann Ohlemann
- Mrs. Mathilde Ohlemann
- Luise Ohlemann
- Rudolf Ohlemann
- Hermann Ohlemann
- Friedrich Ohlemann
- Jacob Ohlemann
- Mr. Michel Ojus
- Mr. Jacob Ortinau
- Mr. Frana. Oser
- Mr. Eugen Ostoin
- Mr. Francise Ostorn
- Mr. Johann Oswald
- Mr. Josef Oswald
- Mr. Aaston Panzer
- Miss Veronika Panzuke
- Mr. Kristian Paul
- Mr. Karl Peller
- Mr. Friedrich Petereit
- Mr. Hermann Peters
- Mr. Lorenz Pfeffer
- Mr. Josef Pfeffer
- Mrs. Elisabetha Pfister
- Miss Margaretha Pfister
- Miss Elisabetha Pfister
- Mr. Oscar Pick
- Mr. Franz Piljar
- Mr. Andreas Pintjer
- Mr. Jakob Pitzer
- Mr. Pranas Plunge
- Mr. Bernard Pöhler
- Mr. Richard Pollutz
- Mr. Samuel Polster
- Mr. Kurt Powilleit
- Mr. Heinrich Prante
- Mr. Friedrich Primosch
- Mr. Eduard Prochnau
- Mr. Samo Petkovsky
- Mr. Alfonsas Puidokas
- Mr. Johann Quatsch
- Mrs. Quatsch
- Miss Rosa Raber
- Mr. Emil Räder
- Mr. Stefan Radosztits
- Mr. Josef Rauner
- Mrs. Rauner
- Mr. Janos Redling
- Mr. Anton Reisz
- Mr. Adolf Renfsteck
- Mr. Franz Richlauf
- Mr. Anton Riebling
- Mr. Alfons Riede
- Mr. Peter Rieser
- Mr. Josef Riffert
- Mr. Carl Rippe
- Mr. Hugo Ritter
- Mr. Friedrich Rothweiler
- Mr. Franz Rückert
- Mrs. Sofie Rückert
- Ingeborg Rückert
- Mr. Einst Ruhl
- Mr. Anton Rundio
- Mr. Felix Reinhold
- Mr. Georg Rachmistonic
- Mr. Vasilie Rechlo
- Mr. Mijo Samarin
- Mr. Georg Sasala
- Mr. Karl Sauer
- Mr. Michael Saxinger
- Mr. Koloman Seper
- Mr. Wolfgang Sieber
- Mr. Wolfgang Sieber
- Mr. Josef Siedler
- Mr. Michael Sift
- Mr. Eduard Sigmund
- Mrs. Anna Sindt
- Mr. Stefan Sinkovits
- Mr. John Skibba
- Mr. Antanas Skonpskis
- Mr. Georgi Skorpnek
- Mr. Friedrich Slopianka
- Mr. Teodoras Sveiceris
- Mr. Franz Sommer
- Mr. Erich Spröde
- Mr. Franz Suck
- Mr. Inozas Svetikas
- Mrs. Greta Swellus
- Elfriede Swellus
- Mr. Will-Leim Szagarus
- Mr. Istvan Szepesi
- Mr. Josef Szepesi
- Mr. Stefan Szikler
- Mr. Johann Szirniks
- Mr. Joan Szuck
- Mr. Matthias Schasser
- Mr. Nicolaus Schaubert
- Mr. Jacob Schäfer
- Mr. Hermann Schärff
- Mr. Frank Schell
- Mr. Hermann Scheper
- Mrs. Gertrud Scheper
- Miss Eva Scheuermann
- Mr. Friedr. Schickschmus
- Mr. Josef Schiefele
- Mr. Christian Schilke
- Mrs. Olga Schilke
- Frieda Schlke
- Elsa Schilke
- Erna Schilke
- Hilda Schilke
- Mr. Josef Schmitz
- Mr. Emil Schmollinger
- Mr. Josef Schnabel
- Mr. Anton Schneider
- Mr. Daniel Schneider
- Mr. Joan Schneider
- Mr. Jakob Schneider
- Mr. Johann Schnell
- Mr. Johann Schreier
- Mr. Nicolaus Schreier
- Mr. Adam Schuster
- Mr. Oskar Schwab
- Mr. Bertalan Schwarz
- Mr. Matthäus Schweiger
- Mr. Zigmas Stankauskas
- Mr. Rudolf Steli
- Mr. Jakob Stengel
- Mr. Anton Stollmayer
- Mr. Matei Stoß
- Mr. Georg Stoß
- Mr. Peter Strassel
- Miss Maria Tabeling
- Miss Hedwig Tabeling
- Mr. Ludwig Tancik
- Mr. Wilhelm Temke Jr.
- Mr. Alexas Timpa
- Mr. Bernhard Többen
- Mr. Josip Tomazin
- Mr. Wilhelm Tönnies
- Mr. Franz Trollmann
- Mrs. Sofie Trost
- Rosa Trost
- Jakob Trost
- Gustav Trost
- Tobias Trost
- Christian Trost
- Mr. Gustav Trost
- Mrs. Katharina Trost
- Ottilie Trost
- Olga Trost
- Mr. Martin Turcin
- Mr. Clemens Gerhard Verlage
- Mr. Heinz Vervoorts
- Mr. Michael Vikidal
- Mr. Georg Viohl
- Miss Hedwig Voegeli
- Hermann Voegeli
- Miss Elise Voegeli
- Mr. Michael Volstrommer
- Miss Maryte Volxhaite
- Mr. Josef Vormoor
- Mr. Adam Vormittag
- Mr. Georg Wagner
- Mr. Mihax Wagner
- Mr. Erwin Wagner
- Mr. Albert Walz
- Mr. Emil Weinbuch
- Mr. Franz Weiss
- Mr. Josef Wellisch
- Mr. Johannes Wesjohann
- Miss Elfriede Wessely
- Mr. Gerhard Wichmann
- Mr. Oskar Wild
- Mr. Detert Wildebor
- Mr. Hermann Wilker
- Mr. Emil Willmann
- Mr. Fritz Winnig
- Mrs. Frieda Winnig
- Fritz Winnig
- Mrs. Andrasne Wolf
- and Child
- Mrs. Anna Wolfram-Midi
- and Child
- Mr. Georg Zall
- Mr. Anton Zeripp
- Mr. Eduard Zernickel
- Miss Berta Zernickel
- Mr. Emanuel Zima
- Mr. Jaroslav Zima
- Mr. Ferdinand Zimmermann
- Mr. Franja Zindarez
- Mr. Gerhard Zosel
- Mr. Wilhelm Zutzewitz
- Mr. Mijo Zuzic
Title Page, SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 22509e7454
List of Senior Officers and Staff, SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 2250a34713
Sailing Schedule, Bremen-New York, From 17 March 1928 to 16 September 1928. Ships Included the Berlin, Columbus, Dresden, Karlsruhe, München, Sierra Córdoba, Stuttgart, and Yorck. SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 2250bf87b9
Sailing Schedule, New York - Bremen, from 20 March 1928 to 20 September 1928. Ships Included the Berlin, Columbus, Dresden, Karlsruhe, München, Sierra Córdoba, Stuttgart, and Yorck. SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 2250d16970
Sailing Schedules, Bremen-Halifax and Western North America, from 17 March 1928 to 1 December 1928. Ships Included the Derfflinger, Ilmar, Justin, Witell, Witram, Karlsruhe, Lütsow, München, Seydiltz, and Yorck. SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 22510b5a62
Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Havana-Galveston, from 7 April 1928 to 4 February 1929. Ships Included the Derfflinger, Seydlitz, and Yorck. SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 2251453051. Click to View a Larger Image.
View of Shipping Activity at Bremerhaven / Kaiserhafen. SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 225189a2ea
Arrival of the SS Columbus at Bremerhaven. SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 2251a0cced
Third Class Dining Room on the SS Columbus. SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 2252387157
Third Class Ladies' Lounge on the SS. Sierra Morena. SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 22528cff9b
Third Class Cabin with Four Berths on the SS Columbus. SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 2252da1a62
Back Cover, SS Derfflinger Third Class Passenger List, 17 March 1928. | GGA Image ID # 2252e00b58
🧭 Key Ship Details
Name: SS Derfflinger
Launched: Early 20th century (c. 1907)
Line: Norddeutscher Lloyd (North German Lloyd)
Route: Bremen ➡️ Halifax ➡️ New York
Class Covered: Third Class (Steerage)
Commander: Captain H. Hashagen
Notable Crew: Dr. Brennecke (Ship’s Physician), R. Trost (Radio Officer), W. Krumbiegel (Chief Steward)
This voyage reflects both the peak and twilight of mass transatlantic migration before U.S. immigration quotas further narrowed in the 1930s.
✨ Notable and Interesting Passengers
Though the list does not single out prominent celebrities or public figures, it offers a deeply compelling social tapestry of German, Eastern European, and Central European names—individuals whose descendants likely became integral to North American communities.
Noteworthy entries include:
🎓 Professors or Academics
🧠 Mr. Ernst Reichmann – While no institution is noted, the name appears among German academic circles; possible affiliations may include Weimar-era technical institutes.
✝️ Religious or Clerical Figures
There are no clergy specifically labeled, but names like Mr. Heinrich Egger or Mr. Josef Katzenberger may merit further genealogical or diocesan research. Many emigrants at the time were deeply rooted in Catholic or Lutheran village life.
🪖 Military Service
Several men of age (e.g., Mr. Otto Heim, Mr. Franz Haberl, Mr. Heinrich Prante) may have served in the German or Austro-Hungarian military during World War I—a compelling research avenue for historians or descendants.
🎭 Cultural and Ethnic Communities
This passenger list is a living document of ethnic diasporas:
Names such as Samu Kreist or Istvan Szepesi represent Hungarian roots.
Pranas Plunge, Teodoras Sveiceris, and Maryte Volxhaite signify Lithuanian identity.
Mr. Mihai Konradt and Mr. Mihail Mutter suggest Romanian-German heritage.
These individuals likely belonged to ethnic German communities (e.g., Volga Germans, Danube Swabians, or Saxons) dispersed across Central and Eastern Europe.
🖼️ Noteworthy Images from the Passenger List Publication
🛳️ Visual Treasures of Maritime Travel
📘 Title Page & Back Cover Design | GGA Image ID #22509e7454 and #2252e00b58
Elegant and formal—emblematic of Norddeutscher Lloyd branding.
📷 Third Class Dining Room – SS Columbus | GGA Image ID #2252387157
A rare glimpse into daily life onboard for third-class passengers—long tables, communal atmosphere, practical finishes.
💺 Cabin with Four Berths – SS Columbus | GGA Image ID #2252da1a62
Showcasing compact but clean sleeping quarters, indicative of the improvements to steerage travel in the 1920s.
🛋️ Ladies' Lounge – SS Sierra Morena | GGA Image ID #22528cff9b
An elegant social space offered even to third-class female passengers—highlighting the shift in shipping lines toward better steerage comfort.
📸 Arrival of the SS Columbus at Bremerhaven | GGA Image ID #2251a0cced
Capturing the buzz of transatlantic departures from Germany’s key migration port.
🎓 Relevance for Educators, Students, Genealogists & Historians
🔎 Genealogists
This list is a goldmine of Central and Eastern European surnames from across the Germanic, Slavic, and Baltic worlds. It’s ideal for tracing pre-WWII immigration stories, especially for those with German-Polish, Hungarian, or Romanian ancestry.
📘 Teachers & Students
This is a fantastic primary source to support:
- Units on interwar migration
- Lessons on immigration patterns and policy
- Assignments in family history research
- Insights into transportation and maritime life
🏫 Historians
The SS Derfflinger represents a critical snapshot of Europe on the move—post-WWI, pre-Depression, amidst a wave of quota-tightening in the U.S. The timing (March 1928) is particularly poignant, just months before the global crash of 1929.
💬 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters
The March 1928 voyage of the SS Derfflinger is more than just names on a manifest. It’s a reflection of anxieties, ambitions, and transatlantic dreams in a world reshaping itself between two wars.
For descendants, it may be the only surviving link to the moment a family took the leap into the New World. For educators, it offers a living document of global movement, identity, and hope. For all of us, it's a reminder that migration is never just a crossing—it’s a transformation. 🌎📜
