Inspection of Italian Emigrants Going to America on German and Italian Steamship Lines
Facsimile of Draft Correspondence between William Henry Bishop, United States Consol, Genoa to the Hon. Herbert H. D. Peirce, Third Assistant Secretary of State, Consular Service, USA, 22 September 1903. GGA Image ID # 21e9a4c5c5
Mr. William Henry Bishop to Mr. Herbert H. D. Peirce
CONSULAR SERVICE, U. S. A.
Genoa, Italy, September 22, I903
DEAR SIR: Yours of the 18th instant is received. In reply to your request for information as to the procedure at this consulate with regard to emigrants going to America on the German and Italian lines, I beg to report as follows:
The emigrants from here are chiefly of northern Italian origin. They arrive from their respective districts for the most part by rail. They are met on their arrival by the agents of the particular steamship line by which they are to sail and are taken to the office of the company.
If they are not to sail the same day and very shortly, they are taken to boarding houses approved by the Government authorities, where they are kept at the expense of the company for the twenty-four hours preceding their departure.
These boarding houses are inspected frequently, and especially just before the departures of passenger steamers.
The examination of emigrants is conducted jointly by the health officer attached to the capitaneria (harbor master's department), the surgeon of the vessel, and the royal commissary or inspector sailing in the same, himself usually a doctor. It takes place in the emigrant office of the customhouse, on the Ponte Guglielmo, the pier from which all passenger steamers depart. The examination consists chiefly of a rapid inspection of each emigrant for disease of the eyes, turning over the upper eyelid; of the skin, looking carefully at the scalp; and for hernia, touching the groin.
After the examination, they go immediately on shipboard. They are vaccinated on the ship between this port and their first stop, at Naples. It is done by the surgeon of the vessel and the royal commissary. It consists of scarifying the arm in three places, with a checker-work pattern-that lines and then others crossways on them direct from the cow -is used -- that is, first perpendicular Animal lymph-i. e.
The emigrants' baggage is inspected, for the steamship companies, by a man authorized by this consulate. He is Giovanni Smith, a son of the proprietor of the well-known Hotel Smith. He has been in this service several years under former consuls and under Dr. Blue, the medical officer at .one time attached to the consulate.
The inspection is made at the pier where the vessel lies and the baggage is afterward put on board.
I may add that the Dominion Line (English) states that it has lately obtained special permission from the Government to consider its passengers from Genoa as embarked only for Naples. Their principal visit of inspection is therefore made at Naples. This line plies to Boston. The managers say that it is very much easier for them in every way to deal with the authorities at Naples than here, where they were much vexed and embarrassed.
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM HENRY BISHOP,
United States Consul
Italian Emigrants' Journey to America
A Vital Insight into the Immigration Process
Ellis Island was the final gateway for many Italian immigrants, but their journey began long before they reached American shores. Inspection of Italian Emigrants Going to America on German and Italian Steamship Lines (1903) provides a rare and detailed glimpse into the pre-departure inspections in Italy, offering invaluable insights for teachers, students, genealogists, and family historians researching Italian immigration.
This firsthand account from U.S. Consul William Henry Bishop in Genoa reveals the rigorous medical examinations, government oversight, and shipboard health protocols that shaped the immigration process. For anyone tracing their Italian ancestors or studying immigration history, this article is an essential resource.
Why This Article is a Must-Read for Immigration Researchers
✔ Pre-Departure Medical Inspections – Learn how Italian and German steamship lines screened emigrants before they boarded ships, including eye disease checks, skin examinations, and hernia tests.
✔ Strict Oversight by Multiple Authorities – Discover how Italian government officials, steamship surgeons, and health officers worked together to ensure only medically fit passengers sailed.
✔ Vaccination at Sea – Understand how emigrants were vaccinated against diseases like smallpox during their journey, a little-known but crucial aspect of immigrant health protection.
✔ Steamship Companies' Role in Immigration Control – See how steamship lines took responsibility for housing, inspecting, and transporting emigrants under strict regulations.
✔ Genoa vs. Naples: Differences in Inspection Procedures – Uncover why some emigrants were classified as domestic travelers in Italy and underwent their most detailed inspections in Naples instead of Genoa.
Key Highlights from the Article
1. The Role of Steamship Companies in Immigration Control
- Upon arrival in Genoa, emigrants were met by steamship agents and taken to government-approved boarding houses before their departure.
- These boarding houses were inspected regularly, especially before large passenger sailings, ensuring clean and safe conditions.
- Baggage inspections were conducted at the pier by an official approved by the U.S. consulate, ensuring emigrants did not carry contraband or infectious materials.
2. The Medical Examination Process: First Barrier to Immigration
- Emigrants underwent a rapid but detailed medical inspection at the customhouse on the Ponte Guglielmo pier before boarding.
- The examination focused on eye diseases (trachoma), skin infections, and hernias—common reasons for rejection at Ellis Island.
- The ship’s surgeon and a royal government inspector (often a medical doctor) conducted these screenings alongside the harbor health officer.
3. Vaccination at Sea: A Little-Known Health Precaution
- After departure from Genoa, emigrants were vaccinated aboard the ship before reaching Naples.
- The process involved scarifying the arm in a checkerboard pattern and applying fresh lymph directly from cows—a rudimentary but crucial health measure.
- These vaccinations helped prevent disease outbreaks on board and improved emigrants’ chances of passing U.S. medical inspections.
4. The Significance of Naples in the Immigration Process
- Some English steamship lines, such as the Dominion Line, classified Genoa passengers as domestic travelers to Naples.
- This loophole allowed companies to conduct primary inspections in Naples instead of Genoa, where they found it easier to work with authorities.
- For researchers tracing Italian immigrant ancestors, this explains why some records may be linked to Naples rather than Genoa.
Who Should Read This Article?
- Teachers & Students: Offers a firsthand historical account of how Italian immigrants were screened before departure, perfect for immigration history lessons.
- Genealogists & Family Historians: Explains why some Italian ancestors may have faced inspections in multiple locations, including Genoa, Naples, and Ellis Island.
- Public Policy Researchers: Highlights how steamship companies played a crucial role in regulating immigration, a precedent for modern border control practices.
- Immigration Scholars & Historians: Provides rare documentation of pre-boarding inspections, government oversight, and medical protocols in early 20th-century Europe.
Final Thoughts: A Forgotten Yet Crucial Part of Immigration History
While Ellis Island remains the most famous immigration checkpoint, Inspection of Italian Emigrants Going to America on German and Italian Steamship Lines (1903) reveals a lesser-known but equally important step in the immigration journey.
This article offers rare insight into the medical, legal, and logistical challenges Italian emigrants faced before even setting foot on American soil. It’s a must-read for anyone studying immigration history, tracing their Italian ancestry, or exploring the policies that shaped the immigrant experience.
