passport applications

Use passport applications in ancestry and genealogy immigration research.

Passport Applications

Since 1789, the Department of State has issued passports to U.S. citizens traveling abroad, and passport records for individuals are available from 1795. Foreign-born applicants were required to provide documented proof of naturalization to secure a passport. The father’s name, date and place of birth, and naturalization were listed for children. Passports were issued for three years. (They are now issued for ten years.) Photos have been attached to passports since WWI, and physical descriptions were then added, including height, hair color, and eye color. Until 1941, passports were not always required for travel to most foreign countries. Passport applications can help in locating an ancestral home. Naturalized immigrants may have also applied for passports when they returned to visit their native countries. And if they did apply for a passport, their passport records would generally provide information regarding the following:

  • Family status
  • Date and place of birth
  • Naturalization
  • Occupation or business
  • Physical characteristics

Other Resources to Help Trace Immigrant Ancestors

Are you developing a family history for an individual or family? Are you trying to find their immigrant origins? Start by seeing the articles

The following videos can help you get a head start in understanding immigration and country of origin ancestor research.

 

How to Find the Origin of Immigrants Coming to America
An introduction to immigration and migration historical research. You will be introduced to a five-step methodology to find the immigrant origins when conducting individual and family history research.

Addition videos include:

The following are records I have found extremely helpful and full of clues to finding an individual’s birthplace and immigrant origins. It is designed to provide a quick reference and direction for finding and searching for records as probable places to find information. You can use these records to develop an immigrant paper trail to assist you in finding and tracing an individual immigrant’s origins. Check out these articles:

Records for Tracing Immigrant Ancestors
Cemetery Records Census Records Church Records 
Colonial Town Records Historical and Genealogical Societies Histories and Biographies
Land Grant Records Maps and Gazetteers Naturalization Record
Obituaries Passport Applications Ship Passenger Lists
Social Security Applications Social Security Death Index

Check out the following country profiles to learn more about their immigration and migration in America.

Immigration and Migration in America
Czechs and Slovaks Danish Dutch
English Finnish French
German Greek Hungarian
Icelandic Irish Italian
Norwegian Polish Russian
Scandinavian Scottish Swedish
Welch United States Western Migration

Articles include:

Learn more about immigrant records at “Immigrant Records at the National Archives.”