Castle Garden Passenger Lists - 1889

Passenger lists for 1889 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

«
• 1888
• 1889
• 1890
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1889 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Castle Garden Passenger Lists - 1889 Index Page

The Castle Garden Passenger Lists for 1889 provide a glimpse into transatlantic ocean travel at the end of the 19th century, a period when steamship lines were becoming increasingly competitive and travel conditions were improving for passengers across different classes. These souvenir lists, issued by the steamship companies rather than immigration authorities, were often beautifully designed and served as keepsakes for travelers, many of whom were either emigrating to the United States or conducting transatlantic business.

This collection primarily highlights saloon, cabin, and second-cabin passengers, suggesting a focus on wealthier travelers, business professionals, and middle-class emigrants rather than the larger number of steerage-class immigrants who made up the bulk of transatlantic passengers. The routes covered in this index mainly connect New York with Liverpool, Glasgow, Bremen, and Southampton, some of the most significant maritime hubs of the time.

Notable Highlights from 1889 Passenger Lists

1. SS Germanic (White Star Line) – 26 June 1889
   • Route: New York to Liverpool
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain P. J. Irving
   • Significance: The SS Germanic was one of the premier ships of the White Star Line, known for its luxurious accommodations and excellent service. This voyage highlights the transatlantic business and elite travel market, as saloon-class passengers were typically wealthy individuals, diplomats, or professionals rather than emigrants.
2. SS Furnessia (Anchor Line) – 9 July 1889
   • Route: New York to Glasgow via Moville
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain John Hedderwick
   • Significance: The SS Furnessia regularly transported Scottish and Irish emigrants, with Moville, Ireland, serving as a key stop for Irish passengers heading to America. The focus on cabin-class travelers suggests this particular voyage may have carried middle-class emigrants or returning travelers rather than large groups of steerage passengers.
3. SS Lahn (North German Lloyd) – 31 July 1889
   • Route: New York to Bremen via Southampton
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain H. Hellmers
   • Significance: The SS Lahn was operated by Norddeutscher Lloyd, one of the major carriers of German and Central European emigrants. The stop in Southampton indicates that this voyage may have included both German and British travelers. This voyage reflects the continued importance of Bremen as a departure point for German and Eastern European migrants heading to the United States.
4. SS City of Berlin (Inman Line) – 11 September 1889
   • Route: Liverpool to New York
   • Passenger Class: Second Cabin
   • Commander: Captain Francis S. Land
   • Significance: The SS City of Berlin was one of the largest steamships of its time, originally holding the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing in the 1870s. By 1889, it was still in service but primarily used for second-cabin and emigrant transport. The inclusion of second-cabin passengers in this list suggests that this voyage likely carried a mix of middle-class travelers and skilled workers heading to America.

Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1889

• Increased Immigration to the United States:
  • The late 1880s saw a surge in European immigration, particularly from Germany, Ireland, and Scandinavia. Many emigrants traveled in steerage class, which is not well represented in this index. However, the presence of second-cabin and cabin-class passengers suggests a growing middle class of emigrants and business travelers.
• Advancements in Steamship Technology:
  • Ships like the SS Germanic and SS City of Berlin were part of a new generation of faster, safer, and more luxurious ocean liners. The continued competition between Cunard, White Star, Anchor Line, and North German Lloyd led to improvements in ship design, including better accommodations for second-class passengers.
• Economic and Social Shifts in Europe:
  • The economic conditions in Germany, Ireland, and Italy led to increased migration, with many travelers opting for cabin or second-cabin passage if they could afford it. The Irish stop in Moville on the SS Furnessia reflects the continued emigration of Irish families affected by economic decline.
• Growing Popularity of Round-Trip Travel:
  • The presence of multiple voyages departing from New York to Europe suggests that wealthier travelers were making round-trip journeys for business, leisure, or family visits. This trend would continue into the early 20th century, with the rise of tourism and transatlantic business ventures.

Final Thoughts

The Castle Garden Passenger Lists for 1889 provide insight into the evolving landscape of transatlantic travel, showcasing the growing diversity of travel classes and migration patterns. While steerage-class emigrants made up the majority of transatlantic passengers, this collection focuses on saloon, cabin, and second-cabin travelers, highlighting the increasing professional and middle-class migration from Europe to the U.S.

The routes documented in this collection—New York to Liverpool, Glasgow, Bremen, and Southampton—represent some of the most important maritime connections of the time. The presence of White Star Line, Anchor Line, North German Lloyd, and Inman Line reflects the intense competition among steamship companies to attract passengers across all classes.

While Castle Garden was still the primary immigration processing center, discussions about Ellis Island’s future role were intensifying. By 1892, Ellis Island would open, forever changing how immigrants were processed upon arrival in the United States.

This collection serves as a valuable historical resource, offering a glimpse into the world of transatlantic travel during a transformative period for ocean liners, global migration, and economic change.