Did you know one of the best ways to find out about your early 20th Century male ancestor's physical characteristics? Find out if he has a WWI Draft registration card! Not only that but the information included on these cards could lead to other family members information.
This is the WWI Draft Card of my Great- great Uncle, Opie Hicks.
On the back of this card the examiner recorded information about eye color, hair color, complexion and build. On the front is nearest living relative, draftees birthplace, father's birthplace, place of employment.
From this card I learned that Opie had brown eyes and dark brown hair. He was 5 foot 8 inches tall. He was a farmer with a place near Farnam, Nebraska. He was born 10 Aug 1896 in Jonesborough, Tenn [where his father was also born] and that his father was W.R. Hicks.
You can confirm lots of theories about a male ancestor using these cards.
A good start for looking at these cards is
Online World War One Indexes & Records
http://www.militaryindexes.com/worldwarone/index.html
This and many other sites can be found by Googling World War One Draft Cards.
Lots of fun!
