Bertillon Cards
Looking for Someone?
Click the button below to begin searching the Archives & Library's Bertillon Card Index.
Psst... If you'd like to order a Bertillon Card by mail, contact reference@ohiohistory.org.What is a Bertillon Card?
In 1879, Parisian police clerk Alphonse Bertillon, invented an anthropometric system that could be used to identify people held in police custody. His system used fourteen specific measurements, frontal and profile portraiture, physical characteristics, and documented scars and tattoos. The information was recorded on cards and organized using a complex filing system to allow for matching/retrieval. By the early 20th century, the "Bertillon System" had been adopted by police departments and correctional institutions across Europe and the Americas. The system was abandonded in favor of fingerprinting in the early 20th century.
What Cards Do You Have?
We have cards from inmates admitted to prison between 1888-1923. Cards are from the Ohio Penitentiary & Ohio Reformatory.
Please note: we do not have cards for all inmates admitted to the Ohio Pentitentiary & Ohio Reformatory. Over the years, cards have been lost or destroyed.
But, we do have other kinds of records in our collections available for prison-related research. Check out Research Resources or our Online Collections Catalog.
Girls' Industrial School
1869-1944
Boys' Industrial School
In Progress.
Industrial School Admission Records
Ready to Search?
Click the button below to begin searching the Archives & Library's Industrial School Index.
If you'd like to order Industrial School records by mail, contact reference@ohiohistory.org.About the Industrial Schools
Industrial schools were created to house, care for, and teach a trade/industry to juvenile delinquents and neglected children.
Did you know? Inmate numbers were reused, so if there are multiple entries with the same inmate number, it means that that person was admitted to the Industrial School multiple times!
The Boys' Industrial School has gone by several names throughout its years of operation. It was called the State Reform Farm (or School) when it opened in 1857. In 1884, it became known as the Boys' Industrial School, and later, the Fairfield School for Boys (1964-1980). The Boys' Industrial School admissions are currently being re-indexed and are not yet searchable online!
The Girls' Industrial School opened in 1869. Our admission records cover its years of operation.
What's in the Index?
We have indexed admissions for the Girls' Industrial School from 1869-1944.
Please note: the Boys' Industrial School records are being re-indexed so our users can more easily identify individuals. They are still available, but not yet searchable online! Contact reference@ohiohistory.org for more information.
Also, we do have other kinds of records in our collections available for prison-related research. Check out Research Resources or our Online Collections Catalog.
Want to Help Index Records?
Become a Volunteer!
Are you interested in helping increase public access to our records? Are you able to come to the Archives & Library in Columbus? Contact our Volunteer Office to ask about volunteering to work on this project or other opportunities.