Agnes May Rolfe

Agnes May, born 1877 in Wickham, Berkshire to Henry and Sarah Rolfe. By the age of 13 she was working as a kitchen maid whilst living at home but by 1901 had moved to work as a cook for a bank manager in Lavender Hill, London.

In 1904 Agnes set sail for a new life in the United States, she arrived in New York on 13 November aboard the SS New York, a 560 foot long Scottish built passenger steamer which plied her trade between Southampton and New York.

SS New York

The ship's passenger manifest shows Agnes had $50, described her occupation as servant and gave her final destination as New York. She declared that she was going to join an aunt, Mrs Fiske, 393 West End Avenue, New York. Was Mrs Fiske really her aunt? Or was it common practice for those emigrating to give the name and address of some friendly soul who was willing to act as a point of contact? I noted that the young woman before Agnes on the passenger list had named a Mrs Agnew at the same address as Mrs Fiske as her contact. Were these women in fact their prospective employers?

What became of Agnes? There is one family photograph which may be Agnes with her daughter - but who knows?

Is this Agnes and her daughter?