Research

New York State Governor Restoration of Citizenship Rights Application Ledgers


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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:
Articles I and IV of the State Constitution authorize the governor to grant executive clemency to convicted criminals (Executive Law, Sections 15-19). Among the types of clemency offered is restoration of citizenship rights, by which the governor restores civil rights lost as a result of a conviction (such as right to vote, right to hold public office). These volumes were maintained to track the status of applications to the governor for restoration of citizenship rights.
Title:
Restoration of citizenship rights application ledgers
Quantity:

3 cubic feet

6 volumes

Inclusive Dates:
1857-1902
Series Number:
A0628

Arrangement

Chronological by application date.

Biographical Sketch

Articles I and IV of the State Constitution authorize the governor to grant executive clemency to convicted criminals (Executive Law, Sections 15-19). Among the types of clemency offered is restoration of citizenship rights, by which the governor restores civil rights lost as a result of a conviction (e.g. right to vote, right to hold public office).

Scope and Content Note

These volumes were maintained to track the status of applications to the governor for restoration of citizenship rights. Volumes 1-5 provide basic facts about each application including: application number (volumes 3-5 only); journal and page (no indication of what journals are being cited) (volumes 3-5 only); date of application; name; date convicted; prison; date received in prison (volumes 3-5 only); county; crime; term; date term expires (volumes 3-5 only); commutation earned (volumes 3-5 only); date of actual discharge (volumes 3-5 only); documents submitted with application (e.g. petition from citizens, letters from individuals, court documents relating to conviction) (volume 1 only); date application granted or denied; and to whom writ forwarded (e.g. name of judge, attorney, or other individual).

Volume 6 provides a chronological record of actions relating to individual citizenship restoration applications from February 1883 to April 1887. For each application, the volume provides: application number; name; date of application; by whom application made; date application granted or denied; and date writ delivered, and to whom.

Related Material

A0597 Executive Clemency and Pardon Case Files, contains related Governors' records.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Rough alphabetical name indexes in Volumes 2-6.

Volume list is available at the repository.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.

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