Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1906

Passenger lists for 1906 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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• 1905
• 1906
• 1907
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Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1906 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1906 Index Page

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1906 provide a snapshot of transatlantic migration, luxury travel, and growing competition among steamship lines. This collection includes passenger lists from multiple classes (first, second, and cabin), reflecting the increasing diversity of travelers.

By 1906, immigration through Ellis Island remained at record levels, with over 1 million immigrants arriving in the U.S.. At the same time, ocean liners played a crucial role in luxury travel, business trips, and transatlantic commerce.

The rise of second-class travel is a key trend in this collection, showing a shift away from steerage-only migration toward more comfortable accommodations for middle-class travelers. Additionally, Boston, Philadelphia, and Canadian ports (Québec and Montréal) continued to grow as major entry points, alongside New York.

 

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Notable Highlights from 1906 Passenger Lists

1. RMS Cymric (White Star Line) – 8 March & 7 September 1906
   • Route: Liverpool to Boston via Queenstown (Cobh)
   • Passenger Class: First Class
   • Commanders: Captain F. E. Beadnell / Captain C. A. Bartlett
   • Significance: Boston's growing importance as an immigration and business hub is reflected in this high-profile White Star Line voyage.
2. SS Kensington (Dominion Line) – 5 April 1906
   • Route: Liverpool to Halifax, NS & Portland, ME
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain William Roberts
   • Significance: This voyage reflects the use of Canadian ports for transatlantic migration, especially for British and Irish immigrants to North America.
3. RMS Caronia (Cunard Line) – 8 May 1906
   • Route: Liverpool to New York
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain James C. Barr
   • Significance: Caronia was part of Cunard’s elite fleet, catering to wealthy transatlantic travelers.
4. SS Finland (Red Star Line) – 12 May 1906
   • Route: Antwerp to New York via Dover
   • Passenger Class: First and Second Cabin
   • Commander: Captain G. C. Apfeld
   • Significance: The Red Star Line was a key carrier for Belgian and Eastern European migrants, with Antwerp serving as a major departure port.
5. SS Minneapolis (Atlantic Transport Line) – 12 May 1906
   • Route: London to New York
   • Passenger Class: First Class
   • Commander: Captain Thomas F. Gates
   • Significance: This voyage catered to wealthy transatlantic travelers, showing the increasing role of business and tourism.
6. RMS Carmania (Cunard Line) – 5 June 1906
   • Route: New York to Liverpool
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain John Pritchard
   • Significance: Carmania was known for speed and luxury, appealing to elite travelers.
7. SS Pennsylvania (Hamburg-Amerika Line) – 4 August 1906
   • Route: Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Plymouth
   • Passenger Class: First and Second Cabin
   • Commander: Captain H. Knuth
   • Significance: This route was a major pathway for German and Eastern European emigrants.
8. SS New York (American Line) – 11 August 1906
   • Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
   • Passenger Class: Second Class
   • Commander: Captain W. J. Roberts
   • Significance: The rise of second-class travel shows changing migration trends, with wealthier immigrants avoiding steerage.
9. SS Moltke (Hamburg-Amerika Line) – 21 August 1906
   • Route: Genoa to New York via Naples
   • Passenger Class: First Class
   • Commander: Captain Reessing
   • Significance: The presence of Italian ports reflects the surge in Southern European migration to the U.S.
10. SS Saxonia (Cunard Line) – 21 August 1906

• Route: Boston to Liverpool
• Passenger Class: Second Cabin
• Commander: Captain J. T. W. Charles
• Significance: The increasing number of voyages between Boston and Europe highlights the city’s role in transatlantic migration.

11. SS Noordland (American Line) – 22 August 1906

• Route: Liverpool to Philadelphia
• Passenger Class: Not Stated
• Commander: Captain Thomas Deans
• Significance: Philadelphia continued to grow as an immigration hub, receiving migrants from the British Isles.

12. RMS Virginian (Allan Line) – 14 September 1906

• Route: Liverpool to Québec and Montréal
• Passenger Class: Second Cabin
• Commander: Captain A. H. Vipond
• Significance: Canadian ports became key arrival points for European immigrants, especially for those heading to the U.S. via Canada.

13. SS Bremen (North German Lloyd) – 27 October 1906

• Route: Bremen to New York
• Passenger Class: Cabin
• Commander: Captain R. Nierich
• Significance: Bremen was a key departure port for German and Eastern European migrants.

 

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Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1906

 

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1. Increased Immigration to Ellis Island

• Over 1 million immigrants arrived at Ellis Island in 1906, with many coming from Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Russia.
• More second-class travel indicates that wealthier emigrants were seeking better accommodations.

 

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2. Expansion of Boston, Philadelphia, and Canadian Ports

• Boston, Halifax, Québec, and Montréal became key alternatives to New York, receiving large numbers of immigrants.
• SS Cymric, RMS Virginian, and SS Noordland reflect this trend.

 

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3. The Growing Popularity of Second-Class Travel

• The rise of second-class and cabin-class travel suggests a shift from steerage-only migration to more comfortable options for middle-class travelers.
• Ships like SS Saxonia, SS New York, and SS Pennsylvania offered second-class accommodations.

 

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4. The Competitive Landscape of Ocean Liners

• British, German, French, and American lines competed aggressively for both wealthy and working-class travelers.
• Cunard, White Star, Hamburg-Amerika, and Red Star Line dominated transatlantic routes.

 

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5. Economic Growth and Business Travel

• Luxury liners like SS Minneapolis and RMS Carmania catered to elite travelers, businesspeople, and transatlantic tourists.

 

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Final Thoughts

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1906 showcase a transformative period in transatlantic migration and ocean travel.

Key takeaways include:

• Record immigration numbers at Ellis Island, with Boston and Philadelphia gaining prominence as alternative ports.
• The expansion of second-class travel as a middle-ground between luxury and steerage.
• Increased competition among British, German, and American steamship companies.
• The use of Canadian ports for immigration, with Québec and Montréal emerging as key entry points.
• Luxury liners catering to elite passengers, while mid-range accommodations expanded for professionals and wealthier migrants.

This collection provides an invaluable historical record of transatlantic travel in 1906, highlighting the social, economic, and political factors shaping migration and maritime competition.