Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1908

Inquiry Bureau on the Cunard RMS Carmania and RMS Caronia, Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition, 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 205924497f

Passenger lists for 1908 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

«
• 1907
• 1908
• 1909
»

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

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1908 Index Page

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1908 offer an extensive record of transatlantic and transpacific voyages during a crucial year of mass migration, luxury ocean travel, and growing competition among steamship lines. The records include souvenir passenger lists from some of the most famous liners of the time, including RMS Lusitania, RMS Mauretania, and TSS Nieuw Amsterdam, reflecting the continued dominance of European migration to North America, the rise of second-class accommodations, and the growing interest in transatlantic tourism.

This period was marked by rapid technological advancements, a booming economy, and increased competition among the world's leading steamship companies, particularly between Cunard, White Star, Hamburg-Amerika, Holland-America, and the American Line.

 

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Notable Highlights from 1908 Passenger Lists

1. RMS Campania (Cunard Line) – 19 January 1908
   • Route: Liverpool to New York via Queenstown (Cobh)
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain D. Dow, R.D., R.N.R.
   • Significance:
     • One of Cunard’s most popular ocean liners, Campania continued to serve elite travelers despite being overshadowed by newer vessels.
2. RMS Mauretania (Cunard Line) – 11 April 1908
   • Route: Liverpool to New York
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain John Pritchard
   • Significance:
     • Mauretania had just been launched in 1907 and would soon set speed records for transatlantic crossings (which it would hold for nearly two decades).
     • Symbolized the new era of “superliners” that emphasized both speed and luxury.
3. RMS Lusitania (Cunard Line) – 6 June 1908
   • Route: Liverpool to New York
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain James B. Watt
   • Significance:
     • The Lusitania was Cunard’s pride and joy, setting new standards for speed and comfort.
     • This ship would become infamous in 1915 when it was sunk by a German U-boat, contributing to U.S. involvement in WWI.
4. TSS Nieuw Amsterdam (Holland-America Line) – 20 June 1908
   • Route: Rotterdam to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer
   • Passenger Class: First and Second Cabin
   • Commander: Captain H. C. Van Der Zee
   • Significance:
     • A reflection of Holland-America’s strong role in transatlantic migration for Dutch and Central European immigrants.
5. Empress of Britain (Canadian Pacific Railway) – 26 June 1908
   • Route: Liverpool to Quebec
   • Passenger Class: Second Cabin
   • Commander: Captain J. A. Murray
   • Significance:
     • Canada was becoming an increasingly popular immigration destination for British and European migrants.
6. SS Rotterdam (Holland-America Line) – 25 July 1908
   • Route: Rotterdam to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer
   • Passenger Class: First and Second Cabin
   • Commander: Commodore F. H. Bonjer, Lt. R.N.R.
   • Significance:
     • One of the most luxurious ships in Holland-America’s fleet, serving both wealthy tourists and immigrants.
7. SS Zeeland (Red Star Line) – 8 August 1908
   • Route: Antwerp to New York via Dover
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain J. S. Ball
   • Significance:
     • Red Star Line remained a crucial carrier for Eastern European migrants traveling via Antwerp.
8. RMS Cretic (White Star Line) – 26 August 1908
   • Route: Genoa to New York via Naples and Azores
   • Passenger Class: First Class
   • Commander: Captain J. B. Kelk
   • Significance:
     • The rise of Mediterranean immigration, particularly from Italy, made Naples a key departure port.
9. RMS Etruria (Cunard Line) – 10 September 1908
   • Route: Liverpool to New York via Queenstown (Cobh)
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Significance:
     • One of Cunard’s older but still elegant ships, serving elite travelers before being retired the following year.
10. SS Prinzess Irene (North German Lloyd) – 12 November 1908

• Route: Genoa to New York via Naples and Gibraltar
• Passenger Class: First Class
• Commander: Captain F. von Letten-Peterssen
• Significance:
  • Germany’s North German Lloyd played a key role in both elite travel and immigration, particularly from Italy and the Mediterranean.

 

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Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1908

 

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1. Expansion of Superliners

• 1908 marked the continued expansion of luxury ocean liners, with Cunard’s Lusitania and Mauretania dominating the transatlantic route.
• German and British companies were locked in intense competition, building larger and faster ships.

 

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2. Surge in Mediterranean Immigration

• Italian, Greek, and Eastern European immigration continued to rise, with ships like RMS Cretic, SS Prinzess Irene, and TSS Nieuw Amsterdam carrying thousands of new arrivals.

 

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3. Growth of Canadian Immigration

• The Canadian Pacific Line’s Empress of Britain and Allan Line’s TSS Ionian reflected the growing trend of European migrants choosing Canada as an alternative to the U.S.

 

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4. Increased Demand for Second-Class Travel

• Ships like TSS Statendam, SS Philadelphia, and RMS Saxonia featured large second-class cabins, appealing to wealthier migrants and middle-class travelers.

 

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5. Expansion of Cruise and Leisure Travel

• The SS Meteor's Mediterranean cruise and RMS Campania's luxury voyages demonstrated the continued rise of oceanic tourism.

 

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Final Thoughts

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1908 provide a valuable snapshot of transatlantic travel at a time of rapid technological progress, mass migration, and luxury travel expansion.

Key takeaways include:

• Superliners like Lusitania and Mauretania set new records for speed and luxury.
• Second-class accommodations became a preferred choice for wealthier migrants.
• Italian and Mediterranean immigration surged, with Naples becoming a major departure point.
• Canada grew as a migration destination, especially for British and European settlers.
• Leisure cruises and transatlantic tourism increased among wealthy passengers.

This year illustrates the changing nature of ocean travel—balancing the needs of immigrants, business travelers, and elite tourists.