Photograph in Archives

[USSR]

Hi all, I have received my research on a group of orders and medals but no photograph of the recipient was included. Is it true that the russian archives have the pictures of the officers but not the NCO's on file?

Thnx!

[CtahhR]

It is completely hit and miss.
What you see is what you get (usually).

[Auke]

Record cards and award sheets never have photos, only service records and personnel files do, and those were only drawn up for officers. So if the recipient was an officer, you can order his service record for example, which usually (but not always) has a photo.

[slava1stclass]

Record cards and award sheets never have photos, only service records and personnel files do, and those were only drawn up for officers. So if the recipient was an officer, you can order his service record for example, which usually (but not always) has a photo.

Gents,

Auke is correct. The only exception is the Special Awards Record Card (SARC) maintained for HSUs and Full Cavaliers of the Order of Glory. When available, hard copy HSU/FCOG awardee photos are appended to their SARC.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[CtahhR]

As I said. Completely hit and miss... The service records of service personnel have had many years to be tampered with and often bits are added and removed, including photographs. A service record I have has all their original hand signed citations for all their awards (like those shown on "The site") and has extremely detailed information on their service, activity and family but is missing and sort of photograph. Usually the best way to find a photograph of a recipient is to purchase a group with identifications. Identifications usually have a photograph in them and sometimes even wearing the awards within the group.
If researching Red Army Soldier Ivan Ivanov (through "the site" or any other way) don't expect to find a series of studio portraits. Often finding the award citation is beyond all efforts.

[Auke]

What you are talking about is the personnel file (личное дело). A large number of these, or parts of them, have indeed appeared on the market. Service records (учетно-послужная карточка) are usually untampered with.

Well, with a few exceptions, that is...

[CtahhR]

Indeed, there are both in the collection. Not only can there be human interference (such as tampering or editing) but there is also the natural decomposition of the "quality" ingredients. Ink fades, paper discolours, staples rust and glue perishes. Not forgetting the animals having a feed and other natural interference.

All of these perishables are older by the day.