Research

Scope and Content Note

This series contains correspondence, monthly reports, and memoranda concerning the procedures and operation of the fingerprint identification program. Most of the correspondence consists of routine transmittal letters from local war councils to the Division of Identification requesting fingerprint identification or forms. The series also includes correspondence between the division and both the State War Council and the local war councils detailing the procedures, personnel, and finances involved in the division's operation. Also found are monthly reports listing the total number of prints received and from what organizations, including local war councils and military bases in and out of state.

Monthly fingerprint identifications were tallied up on the back of four pages from the Department of Correction's Westfield State Farm discharge log. The front of these pages list the names, dates of arrival and discharge, and reasons for discharge from the Westfield institution.