Emigration from Northern Europe was a subject often depicted in the illustrated newspapers and magazines of the late 19th century. The cumulative result of this fascination with “migration fever” created a treasure trove of historical imagery that captured moments in time so far removed from our present day circumstances they must be seen to be believed.

These artistic engravings were filled with incidental detail of an era otherwise long since vanished from memory. Thus many aspects of the emigrant experience of one’s ancestors were unwittingly documented in the pages of the illustrated weeklies of Boston, New York and London.

“Scenes from the Emigrant Experience” is a series of visual surveys exploring representative features and phases of travel to the New World in the late 19th century. Perhaps what will ultimately be gathered here may, in some small way, allow the viewer to virtually share pivotal highlights of that poignant journey.

Bookmark our site and share the exclusive link with others. Sign up for automated notification or check back monthly for yet another collection of authentic 19th century imagery.

What you will see in this collection of imagery was directly scanned from the original pages of these historic periodicals. There are neither reprints nor web captures posted here.

Port of Entry: Quebec	Steamer Atlantic Disaster
Port of Entry: Castle Garden, New York (Part One)
Port of Entry: Castle Garden, New York (Part Two)
Hull, England