1921 passport translation

[CowryShells]

Hi!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/505 ... e2dd_b.jpg
I'd like to explain this passport to a friend, but first I want to check to be sure I have the correct translation. I would be grateful for any help with this. Here is what I have:

statura- alto (stature- tall)
età- anni 39 (age- 39 years)
fronte- regol. (forehead- regular)
occhï- marroni (eyes- chestnut color),
naso- regol. (nose- regular),
bocca- e (mouth- What does "e" signify here?)
capelli- cast. (hair- chestnut brown)
barba-___ (beard-___)
bassi- cat. (mustache- falling)
colorito- nat. (complexion- natural)
corporatura- regol. (build- regular),
segni particolari-____ (distinguishing marks -____ )

Also, please clarify:
Does it say it was issued free of charge and was valid for three years? Was it issued for a specific port (in this case Boston, Massachusetts)?

Thank you for your help!

[maestra36]

Yes, it appears that it was issued free of charge in accordance with the article of the law that came into existence on Jan 31, 1901. It does appear to have been issued for a three year period.

[maestra36]

I think the word at the top of the second page is Boston.

[maestra36]

Bear in mind that not everybody who applied for a passport actually left the country.

[maestra36]

Some also made multiple trips using only one passport

(information for this post and the one above from a book called Widows in White by Linda Reeder)

[maestra36]

One other thing, prior to 1901 passports were not required and there was a charge for them. I have not been able to find information concerning how much they cost though.

[maestra36]

One other thing I just read was that, prior to 1904, the passport was issued by the "nulla osta" (a certification by a local mayor that there were no obstacles to the individual's departure). Passports were normally valid for a period of three years.

From a book called The age of Mass Migration:Causes and Economic Impact" by T.J. Hatton and Jeffrey G. Williamson, p. 260.

[maestra36]

I am wondering if the symbol by the word bocca is just some kind of ditto mark. I really don't know. Hopefully someone else does.

[CowryShells]

Hi Peg!

Thank you so much for the information! I really appreciate the reference sources too.

It makes sense that the "e" is a ditto mark. They probably got tired of writing the same thing over and over.

Thanks again!