Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1950

Christmas Eve Reveillon Menu On Board the SS De Grasse of the French Line, Sunday, 24 December 1950. GGA Image ID # 205c29ca42

Passenger lists for 1950 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 1950 Passenger Lists Not Digitized

• 1950-01-06 America, United States Lines, Cabin, Southampton to New York via Cherbourg and Cobh, Captain John W. Anderson, Capt., U.S.N.R.
• 1950-04-22 De Grasse, CGT-French Line, First Class, New York to Le Havre via Plymouth, Captain Pierre Garoche
• 1950-05-13 Ile de France, CGT-French Line, Cabin and Tourist, Le Havre to New York via Southampton, Captain Joseph Cailloce
• 1950-06-20 Ile de France, CGT-French Line, First Class, Le Havre to New York via Southampton, Captain Jacques Levéque
• 1950-10-06 Ile de France, CGT-French Line, Cabin and Tourist, Le Havre to New York via Southampton, Captain Joseph Cailloce

Passenger Lists By Year Continued

«
• 1949
• 1950
• 1951
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1950 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap & Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists – 1950

The 1950 passenger lists mark a pivotal moment in transatlantic and global ocean travel, as ocean liners remained the dominant mode of transportation, but faced growing competition from commercial aviation. This period saw a continued rise in migration, an expansion of Tourist Class, and the post-war boom of luxury travel.

The largest and most prestigious ocean liners of the era—such as RMS Queen Mary, RMS Queen Elizabeth, SS Empress of Scotland, and SS Conte Biancamano—operated heavily across the Atlantic, while ships from the Union-Castle Line and Swedish American Line served colonial and Scandinavian migration routes.

A particularly interesting highlight is the Christmas Eve menu aboard the SS De Grasse (December 24, 1950), reflecting how ocean liners maintained their tradition of elegance and fine dining even in the face of increased airline competition.

 

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Interesting Highlights from the 1950 Passenger Lists

1. The Continued Dominance of Cunard

• Cunard Line still controlled the most prestigious transatlantic routes, with its flagship ships making multiple crossings:
  • RMS Queen Mary (January 28, February 8, May 24, October 7, October 14)
  • RMS Queen Elizabeth (November 16)
• Tourist Class became increasingly popular, showing a shift towards more accessible and affordable travel.
  • RMS Queen Mary Tourist Voyages: February 8, May 24, October 7, October 14.
  • RMS Queen Elizabeth Cabin Class Voyage: November 16.

 

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2. The Expansion of Global Migration Routes

• RMS Edinburgh Castle (March 31, 1950) – Union-Castle Line
  • A major migration route from Cape Town to Southampton, reflecting continued British colonial ties to South Africa.
  • The stop in Madeira highlights the importance of this Atlantic island as a refueling station.
• SS Empress of Scotland (May 30, July 21, 1950) – Canadian Pacific Line
  • Quebec-Liverpool connections remained strong, serving both migrants and returning British citizens.
  • The growth of Canadian migration fueled demand for these crossings.
• SS Gripsholm (June 21, 1950) – Swedish American Line
  • A key Scandinavian migration route from Gothenburg to New York.
  • The post-war economic recovery of Sweden helped drive continued emigration to America.

 

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3. Italy’s Strong Migration Presence

• SS Saturnia (July 4, 1950) – Italia Line
  • Genoa to New York via Cannes, Naples, and Gibraltar, highlighting the strong Italian migration trend to the U.S..
  • The Naples stop reflects the high numbers of Southern Italian emigrants heading to America.
• SS Conte Biancamano (August 11 & September 14, 1950) – Italia Line
  • Another major Italian migration route to the U.S., stopping at Naples, Gibraltar, and Lisbon.
  • Many passengers aboard were likely migrants or Italian-Americans returning to the U.S..

 

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Most Interesting Voyages of 1950

1. RMS Queen Mary (May 24, 1950) – The Rise of Tourist Class

• This voyage exemplifies the growing affordability of transatlantic travel, as Cunard expanded Tourist Class to attract middle-class passengers.

 

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2. RMS Edinburgh Castle (March 31, 1950) – The British Empire Connection

• A long-distance voyage connecting South Africa to the UK, showing the continued movement of British expatriates, military personnel, and colonial workers.

 

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3. SS Saturnia (July 4, 1950) – The Mediterranean Migration Path

• This voyage carried Italian and Southern European migrants to the U.S., stopping in Cannes, Naples, and Gibraltar.

 

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4. SS De Grasse (December 24, 1950) – A Luxurious Christmas Eve on the Atlantic

• A festive Réveillon (Christmas Eve) menu shows the continued elegance of French ocean liners, despite competition from air travel.

 

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World Events That Affected Ocean Travel in 1950

1. The Rise of Commercial Aviation as a Competitor

• The introduction of long-haul commercial flights by airlines like Pan Am and BOAC provided a faster alternative to ocean liners.
• While ocean liners were still dominant, airlines were beginning to attract business travelers and wealthy passengers.

 

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2. The Korean War Begins (June 25, 1950)

• The outbreak of the Korean War (1950-1953) increased military transport across the Pacific, shifting some focus away from transatlantic luxury travel.
• Ocean liners were used for troop movements, limiting civilian capacity on some routes.

 

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3. Post-War Migration Trends Continue

• The U.S. Displaced Persons Act (1948-1952) allowed European refugees to immigrate to the U.S., boosting demand for transatlantic voyages.
• Australia and Canada continued their large-scale migration programs, leading to more ships sailing to and from these destinations.

 

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4. The Golden Age of Ocean Travel Peaks

• Despite the rise of air travel, 1950 was a peak year for ocean liners, with ships operating at near full capacity.
• The elegance of ocean liners, such as the Christmas Eve celebration on SS De Grasse, maintained the romance of sea travel.

 

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Conclusion

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1950 provide a snapshot of transatlantic and global ocean travel at its peak, before the rapid shift to commercial aviation in the mid-1950s.

• Cunard remained dominant, but Italy, Sweden, and Canada played major roles in global migration routes.
• Tourist Class expanded, making travel more accessible.
• Elegant traditions continued, as seen in the Christmas Eve celebration aboard SS De Grasse.

This year was one of the last great years for ocean liners before air travel began overtaking them as the preferred method of crossing the Atlantic.