Photograph Collections Research GuideMissionaries

Missionaries

Photograph Collections Research Guide

The most common form of missionary portraits for the 19th and early 20th centuries is in the form of a “carte de visite”—a calling card with a picture. Group shots were also popular. If a missionary is not coming up under a search by name, look for a photo album or scrapbook made by a missionary or mission president that served at the same time. Starting in the late 20th century and onward, mission newsletters often contain photos.

Missionary Database

The Missionary Database records the service of approximately 40,000 Latter-day Saint missionaries for the century following the organization of the Church. Individual missionary pages contain personal information, where and when they served, and photographs when available. Profiles may also contain links to digitized journals, letters, and so forth, made available by the Church History Library, the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University, and FamilySearch.

Missionary home missionary group portraits, 1929–1966 (PH 102)

This collection contains portraits of missionaries taken at the Missionary Home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Available upon request. Contact us through the Ask Us form for more information.

Missionary Department photograph files, circa 1860–1980 (PH 2003)

This collection contains photographs of General Authorities and other Latter-day Saints (both missionaries and converts). Remote digital access may be granted on a use/need basis. Contact us through the Ask Us form for more information.