Castle Garden/ Barge Office Passenger Lists - 1890

Passenger lists for 1890 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.

Note: The Barge Office was used as New York's immigrant processing center from 19 April 1890 to 31 December 1891 and from 15 June 1897 to 16 December 1900.

Passenger Lists By Year Continued

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• 1889
• 1890
• 1891
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Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1890 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Castle Garden Passenger Lists - 1890 Index Page

The Castle Garden Passenger Lists for 1890 provide a detailed record of transatlantic ocean travel, capturing the experience of cabin and saloon-class passengers during a time of significant transition in U.S. immigration processing. These souvenir passenger lists, issued by the steamship lines rather than immigration authorities, serve as valuable historical artifacts, offering insight into elite and middle-class ocean travel, which contrasts with the mass migration of steerage passengers.

One of the most significant developments of 1890 was the closure of Castle Garden as the U.S. immigration processing center on April 18, 1890. From April 19, 1890, to December 31, 1891, the Barge Office in New York was used as a temporary facility before Ellis Island opened in 1892. This shift marked an important transition in U.S. immigration history.

The passenger lists in this index primarily cover European ports, including Liverpool, Bremen, Le Havre, and Glasgow, emphasizing the dominance of Cunard, Anchor, North German Lloyd, and French Line (CGT) in transatlantic travel.

 

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Notable Highlights from 1890 Passenger Lists

1. SS Eider (North German Lloyd) – 1 January 1890
   • Route: Bremen to New York
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain H. Baur
   • Significance: The SS Eider was part of North German Lloyd’s transatlantic fleet, carrying German and Central European travelers. The presence of cabin-class passengers suggests middle-class emigrants, professionals, and business travelers, rather than the larger steerage-class migration from Germany.
2. RMS Etruria (Cunard Line) – 15 March 1890
   • Route: Liverpool to New York
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain Hains (Lt. RNR)
   • Significance: The RMS Etruria was a Blue Riband winner, one of the fastest transatlantic liners of its time, showcasing Cunard's technological superiority. The focus on saloon-class passengers highlights wealthy travelers and high-ranking officials making the journey between Europe and America.
3. SS Werra (North German Lloyd) – 3 May 1890
   • Route: Bremen to New York
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain Richard Bussius
   • Significance: The SS Werra was another important North German Lloyd vessel, catering to business travelers, professionals, and wealthier emigrants. Bremen was one of the largest departure points for German and Eastern European emigrants heading to the U.S.
4. SS Circassia (Anchor Line) – 12 July 1890
   • Route: New York to Glasgow via Moville
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain John Hedderwick
   • Significance: The Anchor Line was a key link between Scotland, Ireland, and North America, with Moville, Ireland, serving as a major stop for Irish emigrants. This voyage likely carried Scottish and Irish business travelers, returning emigrants, or middle-class tourists.
5. RMS Umbria (Cunard Line) – 16 August 1890
   • Route: Liverpool to New York
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain Horatio McKay
   • Significance: The RMS Umbria was one of Cunard’s fastest and most prestigious liners, catering to high-ranking passengers. This voyage reflects the growth of transatlantic business and diplomatic travel alongside immigrant migration.
6. SS La Bretagne (French Line - CGT) – 18 October 1890
   • Route: Le Havre to New York
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain de Jousselin
   • Significance: The French Line played a major role in transatlantic travel between France and the U.S., serving wealthy passengers, professionals, and diplomats. This voyage highlights the strong French-American business and cultural connections of the era.

 

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Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1890

 

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1. Closure of Castle Garden and Transition to the Barge Office (April 1890)

• On April 18, 1890, Castle Garden (America’s first immigration station) officially closed.
• The Barge Office in New York was used temporarily from April 19, 1890, to December 31, 1891, before Ellis Island opened in 1892.
• This change affected processing times and procedures for immigrants arriving in New York, leading to some delays and confusion.

 

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2. Increasing German and Central European Immigration

• Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Eastern Europe continued to supply large numbers of immigrants to the United States.
• Ships like SS Werra and SS Eider carried cabin-class passengers, indicating a mix of business professionals and well-off emigrants alongside the massive numbers of steerage-class immigrants.

 

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3. Steamship Speed and Luxury Innovations

• Ships like the RMS Etruria and RMS Umbria were among the fastest transatlantic liners, demonstrating Cunard’s dominance in luxury passenger service.
• Saloon-class travel became even more comfortable, with better accommodations, fine dining, and entertainment on board.

 

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4. Expansion of French-American Travel

• The French Line (CGT) continued to strengthen its role in transatlantic travel, as seen with the SS La Bretagne’s voyage from Le Havre to New York.
• This reflects the ongoing diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between France and the United States.

 

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5. Rise of Irish and Scottish Emigration via Glasgow and Moville

• Ireland and Scotland remained key sources of emigrants, and ships like SS Circassia carried many travelers departing from Glasgow and Moville (Ireland).
• Many Irish passengers were still emigrating due to economic difficulties and limited job opportunities at home.

 

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Final Thoughts

The Castle Garden / NY Barge Office Passenger Lists for 1890 offer a unique glimpse into the world of transatlantic travel, capturing the movement of wealthier business travelers, professionals, and middle-class emigrants, rather than the steerage-class passengers who made up the bulk of immigration at this time.

One of the most significant changes in 1890 was the closure of Castle Garden, marking the beginning of the transition to Ellis Island (which would officially open in 1892). This shift signified major changes in how immigrants were processed upon arrival in the U.S.

The dominance of Cunard, North German Lloyd, Anchor Line, and the French Line in this collection illustrates the competition among leading ocean liner companies for elite and middle-class passengers. The introduction of faster and more luxurious ships like the RMS Etruria and RMS Umbria further highlights the evolution of ocean travel, as steamships became more comfortable and efficient.

This collection is a valuable historical resource, shedding light on the economic, technological, and migration trends of the late 19th century. The increasing presence of French Line voyages, German emigrants, and Irish and Scottish passengers reflects the shifting patterns of transatlantic migration, just as the United States prepared to transition to a new immigration era with Ellis Island.