Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1907

Passenger lists for 1907 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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• 1906
• 1907
• 1908
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Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1907 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1907 Index Page

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1907 capture a dynamic period of transatlantic and transpacific travel, with records showcasing voyages from major European, North American, and Mediterranean ports. These souvenir lists provide a unique glimpse into the migration trends, luxury travel, and competitive maritime industry of the early 20th century.

This year was notable for continued high immigration rates to the U.S., as well as the growth of international tourism, business travel, and pleasure cruises. Steamship lines such as Cunard, White Star, Hamburg-Amerika, and the American Line dominated ocean travel, catering to both elite passengers and the growing number of middle-class travelers seeking better accommodations than steerage.

 

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Notable Highlights from 1907 Passenger Lists

1. SS Celtic (White Star Line) – 19 January 1907
   • Route: New York to Alexandria via the Azores, Madeira, Gibraltar, Genoa, and Naples
   • Passenger Class: First Class
   • Commander: Captain J. B. Ranson, LT R.N.R.
   • Significance:
     • This voyage shows the rise of luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, catering to wealthy American tourists.
     • White Star Line expanded its cruise offerings beyond traditional transatlantic routes.
2. SS Chemnitz (North German Lloyd) – 6 April 1907
   • Route: Bremen to New York
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain E. Zachariae
   • Significance:
     • Bremen was a key departure point for German and Eastern European emigrants.
     • Cabin-class travel gained popularity among wealthier migrants avoiding steerage.
3. RMS Virginian (Allan Line) – 26 April 1907
   • Route: Liverpool to Québec and Montréal
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain A. H. Vipond
   • Significance:
     • Canadian immigration was at an all-time high, and Allan Line provided a critical link for British and Irish migrants.
     • Québec and Montréal were major entry points for immigrants traveling to the U.S. via Canada.
4. SS Meteor (Hamburg-Amerika Linie) – 4 May 1907
   • Route: Genoa to Hamburg via Villafranca, Ajaccio, Algiers, Gibraltar, Tangier, Lisbon, and Dover
   • Passenger Class: Cruise Passengers (Class Not Stated)
   • Commander: Captain Schwamberger
   • Significance:
     • This European pleasure cruise highlights the growing demand for leisure travel in the early 20th century.
5. SS C.F. Tietgen (Scandinavian America Line) – 4 July 1907
   • Route: Copenhagen to New York
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain A. G. Thomsen
   • Significance:
     • Scandinavian migration continued, with Denmark, Norway, and Sweden sending thousands of immigrants to the U.S.
6. SS Amerika (Hamburg-Amerika Linie) – 8 August 1907
   • Route: Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
   • Passenger Class: First and Second Cabin
   • Commander: Captain H. Knuth
   • Significance:
     • One of the most modern and luxurious liners of its time, Amerika was a competitor to British ships.
     • The inclusion of second-class passengers reflects the increasing importance of middle-class travelers.
7. RMS Republic (White Star Line) – 14 August 1907
   • Route: Liverpool to Boston via Queenstown (Cobh)
   • Passenger Class: First Class
   • Commander: Captain J. McAuley
   • Significance:
     • This ship would later become famous in 1909 when it was involved in a collision off Nantucket.
8. RMS Saxonia (Cunard Line) – 17 September 1907
   • Route: Liverpool to New York and Boston via Queenstown (Cobh)
   • Passenger Class: Second Cabin
   • Commander: Captain E. H. Pentecost
   • Significance:
     • The growing number of second-class passengers shows a shift in migration trends, as wealthier migrants sought better accommodations.
9. SS California (Anchor Line) – 12 October 1907
   • Route: Glasgow to New York via Moville
   • Passenger Class: Second Class
   • Commander: Captain James Blaikie
   • Significance:
     • This highlights continued Scottish and Irish migration to the U.S.
10. RMS Oceanic (White Star Line) – 6 November 1907

• Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg and Queenstown (Cobh)
• Passenger Class: First Class
• Commander: Captain H. J. Haddock
• Significance:
  • Oceanic was one of White Star’s premier liners before the introduction of the Olympic-class ships.

 

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Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1907

 

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1. Peak Year for U.S. Immigration

• 1907 saw the highest recorded immigration numbers to the U.S., with over 1.2 million immigrants passing through Ellis Island.
• The majority came from Eastern and Southern Europe, including Italians, Russians, and Austro-Hungarians.
• Bremen, Hamburg, and Naples were key departure ports, reflected in the passenger lists.

 

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2. The Rise of Second-Class Travel

• More migrants opted for second-class and cabin accommodations instead of steerage due to rising wages and better conditions.
• Ships like the SS Saxonia, SS California, and SS Chemnitz reflect this shift.

 

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3. Growth of Canadian Immigration Routes

• Many migrants arrived in Québec and Montréal before traveling south to the U.S., avoiding Ellis Island restrictions.
• RMS Virginian was one of many ships facilitating this route.

 

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4. Expansion of Pleasure Cruises

• Wealthy Americans embraced Mediterranean and European cruises, as seen with SS Celtic and SS Meteor.
• This marked the beginning of cruise tourism as a significant industry.

 

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5. Increased Transatlantic Competition

• German, British, and American lines competed aggressively for elite passengers.
• Hamburg-Amerika’s SS Amerika and White Star’s RMS Oceanic were among the most luxurious liners.

 

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Final Thoughts

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1907 offer an invaluable record of transatlantic travel during a pivotal year.

Key takeaways include:

• 1907 was the peak year for U.S. immigration, with more than 1.2 million arrivals.
• Second-class travel became a dominant trend, reflecting economic growth among migrants.
• Pleasure cruises to the Mediterranean and beyond gained popularity among the wealthy.
• Canada played an increasingly important role in immigration, offering an alternative to Ellis Island.
• Intense competition among steamship lines led to greater luxury, improved accommodations, and faster voyages.

This collection provides a vivid snapshot of migration, maritime competition, and cultural change in the early 20th century.