WHEN Margaret Edwards tried to escape the shadows that hung over her by seeking a new life for herself and her family, about one million Europeans a year were also emigrating to the US.
It was big business, and areas suffering from economic hardships, like the Durham coalfield, were a good source of emigrants.
This advert was one of several that appeared on the front page of The Northern Echo in the week in May 1893 that Margaret left the country – she may even have bought her tickets at T Hull’s shop in South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, as he was agent for the Cunard line.
She sailed out on the RMS Umbria, the sister ship to RMS Etruria featured on this advert.
They were launched in 1884 when they were the largest – and most luxurious – ships afloat, and both went on to win the highly-prized Blue Riband for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic.
A second-class ticket one way ticket on the Umbria cost $40; a return was $75.
Margaret, suddenly widowed, and her family returned 18 months later on RMS Cephalonia, a medium-sized liner which is mentioned in this advert.
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