Alfred Hitchcock Travels Abroad

Posted January 25, 2013 by Amanda | One Comment

Genealogists know that passenger lists and travel documentation can hold a great deal of genealogical information. Here’s an interesting one that I thought I’d share. Recently, I came across this immigration form for legendary director Alfred Hitchcock. Check out the title of the document: Information Sheet (concerning passenger arriving on aircraft). I have to say this is the first time I’ve seen an immigration form for a passenger arriving via airplane!

When you take a closer look at this document, you can find a ton of useful genealogical information. This document shows Hitchcock took TWA NC 513 departing from Paris on May 25, 1946 and arrived in New York the next day. His full name, labeled “Given Name” and “Family Name,” is written as Alfred Joseph Hitchcock. He gives his age as 46 and his sex as male. His country of citizenship is England. Under destination, Hitchcock states he was heading to his home at 10957 Bellagio Road Los Angeles, California. He lived at this residence with his wife, Alma Hitchcock.

Here’s were it gets really interesting – the document also contains Hitchcock’s passport number: RP 1403899 issued in Philadelphia on March 20, 1946. His ticket was issued in London, England on May 24 and was paid for by Vanguard Films, the production company behind Hitchock’s 1946 film Notorious.

I found this document to be really intriguing. Also included is his physical description – height: 5′ 8”; complexion: flesh; color of hair: brown; color of eyes: brown; race: white; married. When asked if he could read and write, Hitchcock said “yes” to both. His calling or occupation is listed as “Motion Picture Dir.”

As you proceed to the other questions, you’ll notice that they can potentially provide you with new clues. These include questions about the passenger’s health (both mental and physical), criminal history and deformities or marks of identification. Hitchcock answered “no” to most of these, but if he hadn’t, imagine how many different directions his answers could have taken you!

Have you found immigration forms in your genealogical research? What interesting discoveries have you made? Tell us in the comments below!