Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1919

Passenger lists for 1919 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

«
• 1918
• 1919
• 1920
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1919 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1919

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1919 reflect a pivotal year in transatlantic travel as the world transitioned from the chaos of World War I (1914–1918) to a post-war recovery period. With the Armistice signed in November 1918, the year 1919 saw the gradual resumption of civilian passenger travel, as ocean liners shifted from military service back to commercial operations. However, the process was slow and marked by challenges, including post-war repatriation, immigration restrictions, and the ongoing impact of the Spanish Flu pandemic.

 

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Notable Passenger Ships from 1919

1. RMS Caronia (Cunard Line) – 14 January 1919

• Route: Liverpool to New York
• Class of Passengers: Cabin
• Commander: Captain C. A. Smith, R.N.R.
• Significance:
  • One of the first major transatlantic passenger voyages post-war.
  • RMS Caronia had been used as a troop transport ship during WWI and was transitioning back to commercial service.
  • Many passengers were likely repatriated civilians or refugees seeking a new start in the U.S.

 

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2. SS Chicago (CGT French Line) – 15 April 1919

• Route: Bordeaux to New York
• Class of Passengers: Cabin
• Commander: Captain Pauvret
• Significance:
  • French passenger liners resumed operations as Europe began recovering from the war.
  • Many French, Belgian, and Central European immigrants were fleeing post-war economic difficulties.

 

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3. SS Rochambeau (CGT French Line) – 11 June 1919

• Route: Le Havre to New York
• Class of Passengers: Cabin
• Commander: Captain Juham
• Significance:
  • The Rochambeau had served in war transport efforts and was now assisting in post-war migration and family reunification.
  • Passengers likely included war-displaced individuals and early post-war immigrants.

 

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4. SS Adriatic (White Star Line) – 16 June & 14 November 1919

• Route:
  • June: New York to Liverpool
  • November: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
• Class of Passengers: First and Second Class
• Commander: Captain J. B. Ranson, O.B.E., Lt-Cmdr R.N.R. (Retd.)
• Significance:
  • The Adriatic was a key vessel in repatriating British and European nationals from the U.S.
  • Returning service members and their families were among the passengers.
  • By November, the U.S. was resuming normal transatlantic immigration, marking a shift from war recovery to economic migration.

 

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5. SS Pretorian (Canadian Pacific Line) – 16 August 1919

• Route: Liverpool to Québec and Montréal
• Class of Passengers: Cabin
• Commander: Captain J. Hall
• Significance:
  • Canadian immigration resumed as Britain and its colonies strengthened economic ties.
  • Many passengers were war veterans seeking a fresh start in Canada.

 

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6. SS Frederik VIII (Scandinavian America Line) – 9 December 1919

• Route: Copenhagen to New York
• Class of Passengers: First and Second Cabin
• Commander: Captain A. G. Thomsen, R. AF D., DM
• Significance:
  • Scandinavian migration resumed after years of war-related disruption.
  • Many travelers were Scandinavian Americans returning home or bringing family members to the U.S.

 

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Key Historical Events That Affected Ocean Travel in 1919

1. The Transition from War to Peace (1919-1920)

• Most ocean liners had been used as troop transport ships and were only slowly returning to civilian service.
• Many ships required repairs and refurbishment, delaying the full return of luxury transatlantic voyages.

 

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2. The Spanish Flu Pandemic (1918–1920) – Lingering Effects

• Strict health inspections continued at Ellis Island, with passengers required to undergo medical examinations.
• Quarantine stations remained active, delaying disembarkation for some passengers.

 

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3. U.S. Immigration Policies Tighten

• The U.S. began imposing stricter immigration regulations, limiting the number of immigrants from certain regions.
• The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 was approaching, leading to a surge in "last chance" migration.

 

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4. Economic Instability and Refugee Movements

• Post-war Europe faced economic devastation, prompting a new wave of immigrants seeking better opportunities.
• Many Russian, Polish, and Austrian-Hungarian refugees fled the collapse of their former empires.

 

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Conclusion – 1919: The Year of Post-War Transition in Ocean Travel

• Ocean liners resumed commercial service after years of military use, but voyages were limited and highly regulated.
• Ellis Island was still implementing health inspections due to the lingering effects of the Spanish Flu.
• The war had displaced millions, leading to an influx of immigrants from Europe seeking stability in the U.S. and Canada.
• The end of 1919 marked the return of regular transatlantic crossings, setting the stage for the booming immigration of the early 1920s.

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists of 1919 capture this crucial turning point, showing how steamship travel transitioned from wartime necessity back to civilian migration and economic expansion.