HUNGARIAN FAMILY HISTORY TUTORIAL
Personal Documents

HUNGARIAN PASSPORT

The passport used in this example belonged to my grandmother, Eszter Nemes. Note that it was for her second trip to the U.S. following her 1909 marriage in Hungary. It is in her maiden name since the passport was secured ten days before her 19 September 1909 wedding. It was for the purpose of emigration. We do not have her first (1905) passport, but we believe the purpose of that trip would have been stated as travel, since she was from a well-to-do family and intended to return to Hungary. Note, my grandparents met on the ship returning them to Hungary after both had spent a couple of years in the U.S. They married and returned to New York within a year of their arrival back home.

Format: This example is a staple-bound booklet in the standard 12-page format for early 20th century Hungarian passports.

Click to See Note.

Preview of 1909 Hungarian Passport.
Click to See Enlarged Cover Page. Click to See Enlarged Travel Info Pages. Click to See Enlarged Personal Info Pages. Click to See Enlarged Approvals Pages.
Cover Page --- Travel Info --- --- Personal Info --- Approvals

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Content of Passport.


Cover Page (1).
  • The printed portion of the cover page states: In the name of his majesty, Francis Joseph I, Austrian Emperor, King of the Czech Nation, etc. etc. and Apostolic King of the Magyar Nation.
  • The individual-specific portions of the cover page include:
    • A number assigned by the county office where the passport was authorized, which includes the year date: 483/909 probably implies the 483rd passport issued in 1909 at the Fejér county office in Székesfehérvár.
    • The stamped passport form number 705.947.
    • The name of the person applying for the passport, in this case my grandmother, Eszter Nemes, her name given in both Magyar (surname first) and French formats.
    • The duration of validity -- one year.

Personal and Travel Information Pages (2-3).

  • On Page 2:
    • Occupation: female factory worker (gyárimunkásnö) -- actually, her father owned a mill.
    • Place of Residence: Inota in Fejér county.
    • Age: in this case 25 years.
    • and finally the signature of the passport applicant.
  • On Page 3:
    • Travel destination: North America (Eszakamerika).
    • Port of embarkation: Bremen (Brémé).
    • Purpose of trip: Emigration (kivándorlás).
Physical Description and Companions Pages (4-5).
  • On Page 4 -- physical characteristics of the person applying for passport:
    • Stature (termete): Medium (közép).
    • Visage (arcza) ie. shape of face: Round (kerek).
    • Hair (haja): Brown (barna).
    • Beard (szakálla) and Moustache (bajusza): not applicable to a woman.
    • Eyes (szeme): Brown (barna).
    • Mouth (szája) and Nose (orra): Normal (rendes).
    • Unusual Distinguishing Features (Különös ismertetö jelei): none indicated in this case.
  • Page 5 is intended for a listing of traveling companions -- ie family, etc. In this case, it is not applicable since at the time of the passport application she was not yet married. So she and her husband-to-be each got passports in their own names.
  • Pages 6-11 are blank, leaving spaces for visas and other transit markings to be applied.
Stamps and Approvals Page (12).
  • In addition to the tax stamp and the handstamped Seal of the Governor of Fejér County, this page has in manuscript the town (Székesfehérvár abbreviated) and date, and the signature and title of the Lieutenant Governor (ie. Álispán).