Another source for ancestral photographs
If you didn’t inherit an extensive collection of breathtaking sepia-toned ancestral portraits, where do you go to see what your forebears looked like? You can keep praying to the genealogy gods that a distant relative will appear on the horizon toting long-lost family treasures (like recently happened to me) or you can pursue other avenues.
Passport applications
Passports have been issued to US citizens since 1789, but have not been required until about World War I. Not all old passport applications contain photographs, but the descriptions are so complete, one can almost form a mental image. In addition, passport applications may contain marriage facts, birth, immigration, and occupation information. Ancestry.com has an extensive passport application collection if you are a member. Please see two applications for George I. King in the attached slideshow to get an idea of the extensive description:
1910 Application
Age: 39 years
Stature: 6 feet, ½ inch
Forehead: Round and full
Eyes: Light gray
Nose: Straight and round at tip
Mouth: Straight, lips full
Chin: Full, slightly indented
Hair: Light, thin
Face: Oval
1915 Application (2 pages with accompanying photo)
Age: 44 years
Stature: 6 feet, 3/8 inches
Forehead: High
Eyes: Grey
Nose: Straight
Mouth: Full Lips
Chin: Full
Hair: Light
Complexion: Light
Face: Oval
How well did your vision compare to the actual photo? Whether your ancestor’s image is left to your imagination or luckily documented on a passport application with a photo, you will want to make sure to investigate this avenue for a possible ancestor photograph.
Naturalization Papers
The Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society has a collection of Naturalization Records which includes 2,781 individuals who applied for Naturalization (U.S, citizenship) through the Columbia County Courts in the years 1827 to 1906 and 1930 to 1956. The records are searchable by surname and alternate name (many individuals anglicized their surname during the application process.) The indexed forms may include the place and date of birth, former citizenship, parents’ names, names of spouses and children, date of immigration and port of entry, and some forms include a photograph of the applicant. While the description is not quite as detailed as the one found on the passport application, one can still get a pretty general idea of an ancestor’s appearance. Please see the Declaration of Intention in the attached slideshow for Wasil Mushalko.
1940 Declaration with photo
Sex: Male
Color: White
Complexion: Fair
Color of Eyes: Brown
Color of Hair: Brown
Height: 5 feet, 2 inches
Weight: 150 pounds
Visible distinctive marks: None
Again, it is a lucky researcher who uncovers a naturalization record with photo attached. But even if your ancestor’s papers did not have one, with the description and other biographical information included on the application, your knowledge and understanding of your relative and his family is much more complete. You can conduct a search of the Naturalization Records held at CCHGS on their website. Good luck!
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