Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1947

Passenger lists for 1947 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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• 1946
• 1947
• 1948
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Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1947 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap & Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists – 1947

The 1947 passenger lists reflect a significant shift in transatlantic and global ocean travel. The world was transitioning from wartime service back to commercial and civilian maritime travel, with passenger liners once again focusing on luxury, tourism, and post-war migration.

With the war over, ocean liners reclaimed their roles as the primary mode of international travel, connecting Europe, North America, and beyond. This year marked the revival of grand transatlantic voyages, with Cunard Line, United States Lines, and Orient Line leading the resurgence of passenger shipping.

These souvenir passenger lists serve as valuable historical artifacts, offering a glimpse into the journeys of migrants, business travelers, and post-war tourists.

 

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Interesting Highlights from the 1947 Passenger Lists

1. The Dominance of Cunard Line

• Cunard dominated transatlantic travel in 1947, with major ships such as:
  • RMS Queen Elizabeth (February 13, May 24, September 11)
  • RMS Queen Mary (September 19)
  • RMS Mauretania (October 14)
  • RMS Media (September 25)
• The Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary were the world’s largest and fastest liners, making multiple crossings.
• The Mauretania and Media provided alternative transatlantic routes, catering to different classes.

 

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2. The Resurgence of U.S. Passenger Lines

• SS America (September 5, 1947) – United States Lines
  • A premier American transatlantic liner, showing the U.S.'s growing presence in passenger shipping post-war.
  • This voyage departed from Southampton to New York via Cherbourg and Cobh, serving as a key migration route for European immigrants heading to America.

 

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3. The Expansion of Global Routes

• RMS Orion (December 30, 1947) – Orient Line
  • This voyage from London (Tilbury) to Sydney was part of the post-war wave of migration to Australia.
  • The ship stopped at Aden, Colombo, Port Said, Fremantle, and Melbourne, showing the key maritime migration and trade routes of the British Empire.
  • Many British citizens migrated to Australia under assisted passage schemes.

 

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Most Interesting Voyages of 1947

1. RMS Queen Elizabeth (February 13, 1947) – First Civilian Year of the Queen Elizabeth

• This marked one of the first full civilian crossings of the Queen Elizabeth after being used as a troopship in WWII.
• Departing from Southampton to New York, it reestablished luxury ocean travel.

 

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2. SS America (September 5, 1947) – The U.S. Enters the Race

• SS America represented the resurgence of United States Lines, challenging Cunard’s dominance.
• With a modern design and focus on American service standards, it became a strong contender in the transatlantic market.

 

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3. RMS Orion (December 30, 1947) – The Great Australian Migration

• This voyage was part of the post-war migration wave that would see thousands of British citizens move to Australia under government resettlement programs.
• The “Ten Pound Pom” scheme, which officially began in 1947, helped working-class Britons migrate for just £10.

 

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World Events That Affected Ocean Travel in 1947

1. The Reopening of Transatlantic Travel

• Post-war reconstruction in Europe led to a surge in migration to the U.S. and Canada.
• Ocean liners became the primary way to transport people, as air travel was still developing.

 

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2. The Rise of American Passenger Liners

• The United States Lines, through SS America, was beginning to challenge British dominance.
• This set the stage for the launch of SS United States in 1952, which would eventually take the Blue Riband from Cunard’s Queen Mary.

 

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3. The Post-War Migration Boom

• Australia, Canada, and the U.S. all had migration programs encouraging people to relocate.
• Ships like RMS Orion played a critical role in transporting new settlers.

 

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4. The Shift Towards Luxury & Comfort

• Ships that had been troop carriers during the war were now refitted for passenger comfort.
• This marked the beginning of a new era in luxury transatlantic crossings, setting the stage for the golden age of ocean liners in the 1950s.

 

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Conclusion

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1947 capture the revival of civilian ocean travel after WWII. With transatlantic voyages resuming, migration increasing, and new global routes opening up, this year marked a turning point in maritime history.

• Cunard remained the dominant force, with the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary leading the way.
• The U.S. began challenging British supremacy, with SS America representing America’s comeback in passenger shipping.
• Migration to Australia expanded, with RMS Orion playing a key role in resettling Britons Down Under.