Castle Garden Passenger Lists - 1885

Passenger lists for 1885 represent the souvenir list provided to the passengers of each cabin class (and other classes). Many of these souvenir passenger lists have disappeared over the years. Our collection primarily covers North American and European ports and ports in Australia and South Africa.

Our collection contains samples of passenger lists produced and printed by the steamship lines. These lists are often used to illustrate family history books for immigrants from this period.

Coveted by collectors and genealogists, souvenir passenger lists often offered beautiful graphical covers and information not found in official manifests because they focused on the journey rather than the destination.

Passenger Lists By Year Continued

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• 1884
• 1885
• 1886
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Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1885 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Castle Garden Passenger Lists - 1885 Index Page

The Castle Garden Passenger Lists for 1885 document transatlantic and European steamship travel during a period of increasing immigration to the United States. These souvenir lists, issued to passengers rather than serving as official immigration records, provide valuable insights into the travel experience, social hierarchy aboard steamships, and major migration routes. Many of these lists have been lost over time, making this collection particularly useful for genealogists and historians.

The passenger lists featured here mainly focus on voyages from German ports, reflecting the strong presence of Hamburg-American Line and North German Lloyd, two of the most dominant steamship companies of the era. The contrast between saloon, cabin, and steerage passengers highlights the different travel experiences based on economic class.

Notable Highlights from 1885 Passenger Lists

1. SS Westphalia (Hamburg-American Line) – 31 May 1885
   • Route: Hamburg to Prague
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain H. H. Barends
   • Significance: This voyage is particularly interesting because it is not a transatlantic journey, but rather a European route connecting Hamburg to Prague. This suggests that some passenger lists were issued for regional luxury travel. The Hamburg-American Line was a major player in both European and transatlantic travel, known for its high-quality service.
2. SS Ems (North German Lloyd) – 3 June 1885
   • Route: Bremen to New York
   • Passenger Class: Cabin and Steerage
   • Commander: Captain Wilhelm Willigerod
   • Significance: The Bremen–New York route was one of the most important migration corridors in the late 19th century, particularly for German, Polish, and Eastern European immigrants. This passenger list includes both cabin and steerage passengers, offering a more comprehensive view of transatlantic travel. The North German Lloyd was renowned for its large emigrant traffic, and the SS Ems was a part of its efforts to accommodate the growing demand for passenger transport.

Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1885

• Surge in German and Eastern European Immigration:
  • By 1885, a wave of German, Polish, and Jewish immigrants was arriving in the U.S., particularly through Castle Garden in New York. This is reflected in the prominence of North German Lloyd and Hamburg-American Line in these passenger lists.
• Advancements in Steamship Technology:
  • Steamships were now the primary mode of ocean travel, with sail-powered vessels almost entirely phased out. Companies like Hamburg-American Line and North German Lloyd were expanding their fleets with faster, larger, and more comfortable vessels.
• Competition Among European Steamship Lines:
  • The rivalry between Cunard, White Star Line, Hamburg-American Line, and North German Lloyd intensified. As a result, passenger services were improving, particularly for saloon and cabin-class travelers, while steerage conditions remained challenging.
• Growth of U.S. Immigration Policies:
  • The U.S. government began tightening immigration regulations, with increasing medical inspections at Castle Garden. This would eventually lead to the establishment of Ellis Island in 1892 as a dedicated immigration station.

Final Thoughts

The Castle Garden Passenger Lists for 1885 provide a fascinating look at European and transatlantic travel, highlighting both luxurious European routes (SS Westphalia) and major migration voyages (SS Ems). The records illustrate the continued dominance of German steamship lines, which played a critical role in transporting immigrants to the United States.

These lists also reveal the social hierarchy of ocean travel, with a clear distinction between first-class travelers and steerage passengers. While saloon-class travelers enjoyed fine dining and luxury accommodations, steerage passengers endured crowded, difficult conditions as they embarked on journeys in search of new opportunities in America.

This collection serves as an important historical resource, shedding light on the economic, technological, and migration trends of the 1880s.