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Anderson, SC USA

SS Admiral Collection

Ephemera for the SS Admiral of the Vanderbilt European Steamship Line includes a very rare Steerage Passage Contract from 1854.

Front of Steerage Passage Contract from 1854, Le Havre to New York

Front of Steerage Passage Contract from 1854, Le Havre to New York GGA Image ID # 102808387e

1854-05-09 Steerage Passage Contract - Le Havre to New York

A steerage contract over  years old for one adult going from Le Havre to New York on the clipper ship "Admiral" of the Vanderbilt European Steamship Line dated 4 May 1854. Printed in French and German, a synopsis of the terms and conditions and the contract information have been translated into English.

An 1857 manifest listed Thomas Bliffin as the Commander of the SS Admiral, a ship built for the transatlantic route of Le Havre to New York, primarily transporting immigrants. The manifests were provided by the master of the ship to the District of New York, Port of New York officials.

Ephemera contained in the GG Archives collection represent the souvenirs provided to the passengers of each voyage. Many of these souvenir ephemeral items have disappeared over the years.

Our selection varies considerably by ship, and likely contains only a sampling of what was originally produced and printed by the steamship lines.

Bookmark pages you're researching and check back for additions as we continue to digitize our extensive ephemera materials.

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The Folks Behind the GG Archives

The GG Archives is the work and passion of two people, Paul Gjenvick, a professional archivist, and Evelyne Gjenvick, a curator. Paul earned a Masters of Archival Studies - a terminal degree from Clayton State University in Georgia, where he studied under renowned archivist Richard Pearce-Moses. Our research into the RMS Laconia and SS Bergensfjord, the ships that brought two members of the Gjønvik family from Norway to the United States in the early 20th century, has helped us design our site for other genealogists. The extent of original materials at the GG Archives can be very beneficial when researching your family's migration from Europe.