Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1896

Passenger lists for 1896 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

«
• 1895
• 1896
• 1897
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1896 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1896 Index Page

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1896 provide a detailed snapshot of transatlantic travel, reflecting the growing competition among British, German, and American steamship lines. These souvenir passenger lists, often richly decorated, were keepsakes for travelers and included saloon, cabin, and second-class passengers rather than the larger numbers of steerage-class emigrants arriving at Ellis Island.

By 1896, Ellis Island was processing more than 300,000 immigrants per year, with a growing number arriving from Italy, Germany, and Eastern Europe. The continued expansion of American-owned steamship lines, particularly the American Line, suggests that the U.S. was becoming a stronger competitor in transatlantic shipping.

The routes featured in this collection focus on key migration and business connections between New York, Philadelphia, Liverpool, Bremen, Genoa, and Southampton. Notably, the presence of multiple Italian departures (SS Kaiser Wilhelm II, SS Werra) highlights the growing Italian migration to the United States, a trend that would accelerate in the coming years.

 

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Notable Highlights from 1896 Passenger Lists

1. SS Paris (American Line) – Multiple Voyages
   • Departures: 22 April (New York to Southampton), 15 August (Southampton to New York), 5 September (Southampton to New York)
   • Passenger Class: Second Cabin / Saloon
   • Commander: Captain F. M. Passow / Captain Frederick Watkins
   • Significance: The SS Paris was a flagship vessel of the American Line, competing with Cunard and White Star Line for elite and middle-class passengers. The presence of both saloon and second-cabin passenger lists highlights the growing importance of second-class travel, as more emigrants sought better accommodations than steerage.
2. SS Kaiser Wilhelm II (North German Lloyd) – 30 April 1896
   • Route: Genoa to New York via Gibraltar
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain L. Störmer
   • Significance: This Italian departure reflects the increasing migration from Southern Europe, as many Italians were leaving for economic opportunities in the United States. The stop in Gibraltar indicates the ship may have also taken on Spanish or Portuguese passengers.
3. SS Havel (North German Lloyd) – 30 June 1896
   • Route: Bremen to New York via Southampton
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain Th. Jüngst
   • Significance: The North German Lloyd line was a major carrier of German emigrants, and this voyage reflects the continued movement of skilled workers and professionals from Germany to the U.S.
4. RMS Germanic (White Star Line) – 22 July 1896
   • Route: Liverpool to New York via Queenstown (Cobh)
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain Edward R. McKinstry
   • Significance: The RMS Germanic was one of White Star Line’s premier ocean liners, and the stop in Queenstown (Cobh) highlights Ireland’s continued role as a departure point for emigrants.
5. SS City of Rome (Anchor Line) – 20 August 1896
   • Route: Glasgow to New York via Moville
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain Hugh Young
   • Significance: The Scottish and Irish migration connection is evident in this voyage, with Moville serving as an important departure port for Irish emigrants heading to America.
6. SS Werra (North German Lloyd) – 19 November 1896
   • Route: Genoa to New York via Gibraltar
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain C. Pohle
   • Significance: The inclusion of a diary from a previous 1894 voyage adds a personal account of ocean travel, giving insight into daily life aboard a transatlantic liner. This Genoa departure highlights the growing wave of Italian emigration, which would continue into the early 20th century.

 

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Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1896

 

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1. Increase in Italian and Southern European Migration

• By 1896, more Italians were arriving in the U.S. than Germans and Irish combined, marking a major shift in migration patterns.
• The SS Kaiser Wilhelm II and SS Werra voyages from Genoa reflect this trend, as Italians sought economic opportunities and escape from poverty in Southern Italy.

 

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2. Growth of the American-Owned Steamship Industry

• The American Line continued expanding its services, competing directly with Cunard and White Star Line.
• The presence of multiple SS Paris and SS New York voyages highlights the rising status of U.S. steamship companies in the North Atlantic trade.

 

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3. Expansion of Second-Class Travel

• Ships like SS Paris and SS New York included second-class accommodations, reflecting the desire for more comfortable travel among middle-class emigrants and business travelers.
• Second-class tickets were more expensive than steerage but provided better conditions, helping companies attract a broader range of passengers.

 

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4. Continued Irish and Scottish Emigration

• The stops in Queenstown (Cobh) and Moville on voyages like RMS Germanic and SS City of Rome suggest that Irish and Scottish emigration remained strong, though the numbers were declining compared to previous decades.

 

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5. Advancements in Steamship Technology

• By 1896, transatlantic travel was faster and more comfortable, as luxury liners continued to improve accommodations for wealthier travelers.
• The repeated voyages of RMS Germanic, SS Paris, and SS City of Rome illustrate the intense competition between shipping lines to attract elite travelers.

 

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Final Thoughts

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1896 highlight the continued evolution of transatlantic travel, showcasing the social and economic shifts in migration trends. This collection provides a diverse view of passengers, from wealthy saloon travelers aboard the RMS Germanic to second-class emigrants seeking better opportunities aboard the SS Paris.

Key takeaways from this collection include:

• The rapid increase in Italian migration, as seen in multiple voyages from Genoa.
• The growing dominance of the American Line in transatlantic travel.
• The continued expansion of second-class travel as an alternative to steerage.
• The persistence of Irish and Scottish emigration, particularly from Queenstown and Moville.
• Advancements in ocean liner technology, improving the speed and comfort of travel.

This collection serves as an important historical resource, capturing the changing landscape of transatlantic migration just before U.S. immigration laws became more restrictive in the early 20th century.