Steerage Passenger Inspection Cards
This collection presents inspection cards for steerage passengers, used between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These cards documented essential details about immigrants, including personal information, health status, and journey specifics. They were crucial for identification and regulatory compliance throughout the travel and immigration process.
The Steerage Passenger collected a number of documents on their way to the new world. The GG Archives has a number of documents including Inspection Cards for Immigrants and Steerage Passengers, provided to steerage passengers and retained by them for identification through to their final destination.
Immigrant Inspection Card - White Star Line RMS Germanic - 1902
Inspection Card issued to an immigrant traveling in Steerage by the White Star Line RMS Germanic in April 1902 that provided information about the immigrant including Name, Last Residence, evidence of Immunization, Port of Departure and Steamship name.
Immigrant Inspection Card - Cunard RMS Carpathia - 1904
Inspection Card issued to an immigrant traveling in Steerage on board the RMS Carpathia of the Cunard Line dated 18 October 1904 that provided information including Port and Date of Departure, Name of Ship, Name of Immigrant, Last Residence and evidence of Immunization.
Immigrant Inspection Card - Cunard RMS Lusitania - 1910
Immigrant Inspection Card issued by the Cunard Line RMS Lusitania dated 9 July 1910 for Swedish Immigrant K. E. Paulson from Gothenburg, Sweden. The card was pinned to the coat or dress of the passenger in a prominent position after landing at New York.
Inspection Card - Austrian Immigrant - 1912
An excellent example of an Immigrant and Steerage Passengers' Inspection Card issued on 24 April 1912 by the Hamburg America Line for an Austrian Immigrant on board the SS President Grant that departed from Hamburg, Germany arriving in New York on 7 May 1912. Passed American Ellis Island Inspectors on 8 May 1912.
Canadian Immigrant Inspection Card - Steerage Passenger - 1912
Canadian Immigrant Inspection Card issued in 1912 to a steerage passenger on board the Allan Line SS Corsican. The card provided essential information including the name of immigrant, Steamship, port and date of departure. The card was intended to be kept by the immigrant for three years. It would be shown to government officials whenever required.
Immigrant Inspection Card - Cunard RMS Laconia - 1913
Immigrant Inspection Card issued in 1913 by the Cunard Line on board the RMS Laconia to a Norwegian Immigrant traveling in Steerage. The card provided relevant information including port and date of departure, the name of the ship, immigrant name, last residence, medical inspection stamps and evidence of immunization.
Canadian Immigrant Inspection Card - SS Missanabie - 1915
Canadian Immigrant Inspection Card issued to a Steerage Passenger on board the Canadian Pacific steamship SS Missanabie departing from Liverpool 13 March 1915. This card represents a very rare immigrant document from a ship in service less than four years.
Conclusion
The inspection cards serve as historical artifacts, offering insight into the immigration system's complexity and the meticulous record-keeping required for steerage passengers. They highlight the challenges faced by immigrants and the bureaucratic procedures they underwent, reflecting the era's social and legal frameworks.
Key Points
📜 Identification: Cards contained personal details, including name, last residence, and health status.
🧳 Luggage Rules: Information on baggage limits and handling.
👥 Diverse Origins: Passengers came from various backgrounds, reflecting broad immigration patterns.
🚢 Ship Information: Included details about the vessel and travel dates.
🏥 Health Regulations: Evidence of immunization and health inspections.
🔍 Regulatory Compliance: Used by authorities to monitor and control immigration.
📅 Historical Context: Spanning late 1800s to early 1900s, capturing a key period in immigration history.
🎟️ Ticket Information: Often included with passage contracts and tickets.
📈 Documentation Importance: Critical for tracking and managing immigrant populations.
📚 Research Value: Valuable for genealogical and historical research.
Summary
-
Purpose of Cards: Served as identification and documentation for immigrants, detailing personal and travel information.
-
Health and Legal Compliance: Ensured compliance with health and immigration regulations, including immunization status.
-
Diverse Passenger Backgrounds: Reflects a wide range of immigrant origins and destinations.
-
Details Provided: Included ship name, departure date, and passenger specifics.
-
Regulatory Use: Used by authorities for monitoring and controlling immigrant entry.
-
Historical Artifacts: Provide a glimpse into the bureaucratic processes of the time.
-
Baggage and Luggage: Contained information about allowed baggage, reflecting economic conditions.
-
Contextual Importance: Offers insights into the experiences and challenges faced by immigrants.
-
Genealogical Research: A valuable resource for tracing family histories and understanding immigration patterns.
-
Preservation of History: Ensures that the administrative aspects of immigration are remembered and studied.
