Steerage

Steerage passengers slept in long rows of shared bunks with little air, often bringing their own bedding. The name likely comes from the space's early place near the rudder. In the steamship era it overlapped with third class.

Class matters for research. At New York, first and second class passengers had a quick inspection aboard ship, while steerage passengers went by ferry or barge to Ellis Island. Each class may be on its own list, and a passenger who changed class can appear twice.