History
What can a 1905 Bertillon card tell us about an identification photo?
A National Archives record ties Preston James’s portrait to measurements, a case file and a documented date.
The National Archives at Atlanta identifies a Bertillon measurement card for Preston James dated December 13, 1905. Its catalogue states that James was twelve when he began a sentence at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary and links the photograph to an inmate case file.
The portrait’s archival meaning comes from its placement on a card
The portrait’s archival meaning comes from its placement on a card, its date and the surrounding record group. These details let researchers describe how the image was used without guessing from the face or treating the photograph as a complete biography.
Evidence: Archival record
The archive notes that many files in the series have not been digitized
The archive notes that many files in the series have not been digitized. A catalogue entry is a guide to the record, not a substitute for examining the whole case file or its context.
Evidence: Archival record
The card’s institutional purpose was identification and retrieval
The card’s institutional purpose was identification and retrieval, not family commemoration. Keep the name, date and case references with any reproduction; the portrait alone cannot explain the record’s circumstances. When citing it, include the catalogue title and series identifier so the image remains connected to the file that gives it meaning.
Evidence: Archival record
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- US National Archives — Preston James Bertillon cardArchival record