U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 now on Ancestry.com

[SarahND]

Hi all,
Not sure when these were added, but I think it was recently. Just found a 14 page application for my grandfather, grandmother, aunt and uncle in 1918 (my grandmother was pregnant with my father at the time...). There was even a photo of the four of them, with letters from my great grandfathers on both sides of the family, confirming the identity and birth places of their children, a letter from my great aunt sending on yet another affadavit, etc. Apparently the boat was about to sail and their passports hadn't come through yet... Anyway, there's quite a story behind the pages, obviously.

I also found an application for one of my gg grandfathers in 1856-- good stuff!
Unfortunately, not everyone needed a passport before the 20th century, but there are a good number of old ones there nevertheless.

Cheers,
Sarah

[speleobat2]

Sarah,

I don't think it's been out too long. There's a bunch of new records just out for Ontario, Canada also.

I've struck out on the passport apps. so far. Found Alexander E. Clerihew who's father was....Alexander M. Clerihew-deceased! Don't think he's one of mine anyway!

Lots of others to check though!

Good hunting!

Carol

[Anne H]

Hi Sarah,

THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU...

I'm so glad you brought this up. I didn't get anywhere with my Scullion and Clunas families that I had hoped to find....but imagine my delight when I came across a 1920 application for James Forsyth Hogg

I couldn't believe my eyes...a few little discrepancies here and there that can be explained away, but I am almost certain that this is my great great grandfather who has been missing since sometime before 1889...I've been looking for him on and off for years and now I find him in California Anyway, there he was complete with photo of both him and a new wife, Bessie, and from his photo, I believe there is a resemblance between him, my grandfather and my uncles...the signature looks pretty much like his also...but finding him married presents a wee problem, and big scandal ...he was already married to my great great grandmother at the time and she wasn't Bessie

I went on to find the 1910 and 1920 censuses (although the name is spelt as Hoag) and now I've found a new son, John T. Hoag, apparently born in England. Couldn't find the son on the 1920 but he might have been in France since I found his Registration Card for 1917, and the reason for Mum and Dad leaving the country in 1920 was to travel to France and the British Isles...maybe going to see him. I also found John's Death Record for 1951.

All in all, a very good run, although I still want more solid confirmation

Regards,
Anne H

[SarahND]

Hi Anne,
So glad it turned up something interesting for you! I see he even gives the date and place of his marriage to Bessie... and the date of his arrival in the U.S. Should be a few things you could check up on there to see if he was telling the truth!
Have fun with this one!
Sarah

[Anne H]

Hi Sarah,

I'm pretty happy with this find I actually checked SP for a mariage but the couple I viewed didn't pan out...I'll expand the search a little and see if that comes up with anything....problem is that he was already married and I have a feeling there might not be an MC. Time will tell

Regards,
Anne H

[scotmum]

Just a word of warning. Watch out for this:

Some kind soul recently sent me an entry page from the Passport Applications. It took me a day or so and using the enhanced viewer to realise that the left hand side of the page, with photo, was for the previous applicant and that the remainder of details and photo for 'my' applicant , who was on the right hand side of page sent, was on the next record page.

The kind soul sent me the next page when I pointed this out and it was well worth it as it had a beautiful family photo of my grandad's sister, her hubby and their two children (the first photo I have ever seen of her)

Also worth noting, the passport application was in husband's name 'plus family' with only his details actually recorded plus the family photo- so if you can't find an application for a female, check for one for the hubby.

[Jean Jeanie]

Does anyone know if a passport was required in 1907 to emigrate to The States from Scotland and if so how long would this passport be valid?

One of my ancestors emigrated in 1907. She then returned to Scotland in 1912 for a visit, with her husband and son. Her husband was Scottish too, although they met and married in America. Their son was born in America.

I'm just wondering if she would be using a British Passport for her return visit or if she would have applied for an American passport. Would she have needed a passport for her son to come to Scotland?????

The reason I ask is because their son had a most unusual forename and there is no sign of his name on Ancestry

Best wishes
Jean

[SarahND]

Hi Jean,
The database on Ancestry gives the following information:

The U.S. government has issued passports to American citizens since 1789, albeit through several different agencies throughout the years. For the most part, passports were not required of U.S. citizens for foreign travel until World War I. Passports were required for a short time during the Civil War (Aug. 19, 1861-Mar. 17, 1862). An Executive Order given in 1915, and then later an act of Congress given in 1918, established the passport requirement for citizens traveling abroad. This law lapsed with the formal termination of World War I through treaties with Germany, Austria, and Hungary in 1921. In 1941, with the onset of World War II, the Congressional act of 1918 was reinstated. U.S. citizens have been required to carry a passport for foreign travel ever since.

Did your ancestor become a U.S. citizen before she came back in 1912? If so, there just might be an application for her.

The reason I ask is because their son had a most unusual forename and there is no sign of his name on Ancestry

As scotmum said, the passport would most likely be in a parent's name. Unusual forenames are a mixed blessing ... On the one hand, if you do find the name you know it is the right person! On the other hand, no one knows how to spell the name and it is often garbled-- or the person actually went by a simpler nickname I have one ancestor whose forename was Duranson. The records give invariably just the initial "D"

All the best,
Sarah

[Jean Jeanie]

I guess I'm out of luck wth this one.

On the Ellis Island record of them returning to the States, both Margaret and her husband have "non immigrant alien" stamped on their names. Son, Orchard must not have needed a passport

There was I thinking that I might be able to get a photo of them

Best wishes
Jean