Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1949

View of One of the Restaurants on the RMS Queen Elizabeth. Cunard White Star Tourist Class Brochure, January 1949. GGA Image ID # 205c2442f6

Passenger lists for 1949 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.

Other 1949 Passenger Lists Not Digitized

• 1949-06-15 Washington, United States Lines, Class Not Stated, New York to Southampton via Cobh and Le Havre, Captain Harold Milde, Cmdr., U.S.N.R.
• 1949-09-07 Washington, United States Lines, Class Not Stated, New York to Southampton via Cobh and Le Havre, Captain Harold Milde, Cmdr., U.S.N.R.

Passenger Lists By Year Continued

«
• 1948
• 1949
• 1950
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1949 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap & Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists – 1949

The 1949 passenger lists highlight the continued growth and evolution of ocean travel in the post-war era. With international economies stabilizing and migration still at high levels, transatlantic and global passenger voyages flourished, led by dominant lines like Cunard, United States Lines, Holland-America, Italia Line, and Canadian Pacific Line.

This period saw:

• The rise of Tourist Class as a mainstream travel option, making voyages more accessible to middle-class passengers.
• The return of luxury travel, particularly aboard Cunard’s RMS Queen Elizabeth and RMS Queen Mary.
• The expansion of student travel, with the RMS Samaria carrying students to Quebec.
• The continuation of major migration routes, especially to and from South Africa, Canada, and Australia.

These souvenir passenger lists, highly valued by historians and genealogists, document an important time when ocean liners were still the dominant mode of international travel before the rise of commercial aviation.

 

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Interesting Highlights from the 1949 Passenger Lists

1. The Global Reach of Ocean Travel Expands

• Union-Castle Line’s R.M.M.V. Capetown Castle & RMS Warwick Castle

  • Long-haul voyages between Southampton and South Africa (Capetown, Durban, Port Elizabeth).
  • These routes were essential for British colonial connections.

• Canadian Pacific Line’s Empress of France (August 5, 1949)

  • A Montreal-to-Liverpool voyage, reflecting Canada’s vital role in transatlantic travel.
  • This route was popular with immigrants and British citizens returning home.
• Italia Line’s SS Saturnia (July 22, 1949)
  • A Genoa-to-New York voyage, showcasing Italy’s continued role in migration travel.
  • Stopped at Naples, Gibraltar, and the Azores, demonstrating the Mediterranean's importance in global travel.

 

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2. The Ever-Present Dominance of Cunard

• RMS Queen Elizabeth and RMS Queen Mary continued their supremacy with multiple crossings:
  • RMS Queen Elizabeth (May 6, June 23, August 27, October 14)
  • RMS Queen Mary (October 22)
• The RMS Mauretania (April 26, May 4, September 7, September 28) maintained a strong presence as a secondary Cunard ship.
• Tourist Class became increasingly popular, as seen on voyages like:
  • RMS Queen Elizabeth (August 27, 1949)
  • RMS Queen Mary (October 22, 1949)

 

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3. Student Travel Gains Popularity

• RMS Samaria (September 9, 1949) – The Youth Argosy Voyage
  • This was a student-focused voyage from London to Quebec.
  • Demonstrated the growing demand for affordable transatlantic crossings for younger travelers.

 

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Most Interesting Voyages of 1949

1. RMS Queen Elizabeth (August 27, 1949) – The Rise of Tourist Class

• This voyage highlighted the transition toward more affordable ocean travel.
• Tourist Class became a major selling point, as the middle class gained greater access to ocean liners.

 

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2. R.M.M.V. Capetown Castle (April 21, 1949) – Britain’s Colonial Connection

• A long-haul route to South Africa via Madeira, a key transit stop in the Atlantic.
• The Union-Castle Line was instrumental in maintaining British colonial ties in Africa.

 

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3. RMS Samaria (September 9, 1949) – Student Travel Takes Off

• One of the earliest examples of student-focused transatlantic voyages.
• Reflected the expansion of educational exchanges and travel for younger generations.

 

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4. SS Saturnia (July 22, 1949) – Italian Migration to America

• Italy’s mass migration to the U.S. continued, with many passengers likely immigrants starting new lives.
• Stops in Naples and Gibraltar reflected traditional migration paths from Southern Europe.

 

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World Events That Affected Ocean Travel in 1949

1. The Expansion of the Middle Class & Tourist Class Growth

• Economic recovery in the U.S. and Europe made travel more affordable for many.
• Cunard and other lines expanded Tourist Class options, making ocean travel less exclusive and more accessible.

 

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2. Post-War Migration & Displacement Continues

• Europe was still recovering from WWII, with many seeking permanent relocation.
• Italian migration surged, leading to high demand for voyages like SS Saturnia.
• The Canadian Pacific Line played a vital role in bringing immigrants to Canada, as seen in the Empress of France voyage.

 

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3. The Early Challenge from Commercial Aviation

• Air travel was still too expensive for most travelers, but the competition was growing.
• Airlines like Pan Am and BOAC were increasing their transatlantic flights, forcing ocean liners to adapt by improving services and expanding Tourist Class.

 

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4. The Start of International Student Travel

• The RMS Samaria’s Youth Argosy voyage showed that student-focused travel was becoming a viable market.
• Universities and cultural exchange programs encouraged transatlantic student movement.

 

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Conclusion

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1949 mark a major transition in global ocean travel. While ocean liners remained dominant, the rise of Tourist Class, increasing student travel, and new migration patterns shaped the industry.

• Cunard still ruled transatlantic routes, with RMS Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary leading the way.
• Global migration routes remained strong, with voyages to South Africa, Canada, and the U.S. from across Europe.
• The rise of Tourist Class made ocean travel more affordable, appealing to a broader audience.
• Commercial aviation was emerging as a competitor, though ships still carried the vast majority of passengers.

This was the final period before the Golden Age of transatlantic liners peaked in the 1950s, setting the stage for one of the most iconic decades in maritime history.

How Air Travel Began to Compete with Ocean Liners in 1949

In 1949, significant shifts occurred in both transportation and migration patterns, influenced by technological advancements and post-World War II geopolitical changes.

Air Travel vs. Ocean Liners:

The late 1940s marked the beginning of a decline for ocean liners as the primary mode of transcontinental travel. The introduction of long-distance aircraft after World War II rendered ocean liners largely obsolete. en.wikipedia.org

A pivotal moment was the maiden flight of the de Havilland Comet in 1949, the world's first commercial jet airliner, which revolutionized air travel by offering faster and more efficient transatlantic crossings. bbc.com

Migration Trends in 1949:

Post-World War II migration was characterized by significant population movements:

• Australia: In 1949, assisted arrivals reached more than 118,800, four times the 1948 figure. In August, Australia welcomed its 50,000th "New Australian," a child from Riga, Latvia. The Snowy Mountains Scheme began, employing 100,000 people from at least 30 different nationalities, with seventy percent of the workers being migrants. en.wikipedia.org

• Israel: The year 1949 saw the largest-ever number of Jewish immigrants in a single year—249,954—arriving in Israel. This period, often termed "kibbutz galuyot" (ingathering of exiles), saw Israel's population more than double due to the influx of immigrants. en.wikipedia.org

• United States: The Displaced Persons Act of 1948 allowed for the entry of 200,000 Europeans and 17,000 orphans displaced by World War II into the U.S. This act marked a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, accommodating those affected by the war. en.wikipedia.org

These developments in 1949 highlight the transformative impact of technological advancements on global transportation and the profound effects of post-war geopolitical changes on migration patterns.