Thread: Passports - 1870.

Could someone please tell me whether people leaving England in 1870-1879

would have had passports.



If so, where would I be able to trace an application.



Many thanks.



Val.

[quote name='Val']

Could someone please tell me whether people leaving England in 1870-1879

would have had passports.



If so, where would I be able to trace an application.



Many thanks.



Val.[/quote]



Hello

If you go to the Home Office Identity and Passport website there is a page which gives the history of British Passports



http://www.ips.gov.uk/passport/about...y-overview.asp



Basically, until 1858 anyone from any country could apply to the British Government for a pass for safe passage. After this date "passports" were only issued to UK nationals. Before 1858 most passes were written in Latin or French.

Records were kept but I would imagine that they are at the NRO. It was not until after 1914 that printed paper passports came into being.



There is a form on the IPS site for general enquiries.



Hope this helps.

Victoria

Thank you so much for your help Victoria.

I will check the site you mentioned and take it from there.





Val.

There is also a searchable database on findmypast - Register of passport applications 1851-56, 1858-62, and 1874-1903. Might be worth a look.



regards



Pam

Thanks Pam for taking the time to help me.





Val.