Research

New York State Superintendent of Public Works Job Application Registers


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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:
At the time when these records were created, the superintendent of public works was responsible for all aspects of canal maintenance and as a member of the State Canal Board, was directly involved in hiring employees. The superintendent's office used the two volumes in this series to record the names of applicants for employment, their trades, and the persons by whom these applicants were recommended.
Creator:
Title:
Job application registers
Quantity:

0.3 cubic feet

2 volumes

Inclusive Dates:
1891-1895
Series Number:
B0334

Administrative History

Given the superintendent of public works' responsibility for canal maintenance and his role in hiring employees as a member of the State Canal Board, the applicants listed in these volumes were most likely seeking work in the state's canal system.

Scope and Content Note

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Works used the two volumes in this series to record the names of applicants for employment, their trades, and the persons by whom these applicants were recommended. In the first volume, which spans from April to October 1891, applicants are grouped by name of individual recommending them for employment. Most individuals making recommendations are state legislators, but other state and local officials, attorneys, clergymen, and military officers also appear. Within each grouping, applicants are listed in chronological order by date of application. The trade of each applicant is listed; examples include stone cutter, mason, blacksmith, carpenter, laborer, clerk, machinist, painter, and derrickman. The notation "on" is written next to the names of certain apllicants, possibly signifying hiring action taken. This volume includes a name index solely to individuals making recommendations.

In the second volume, which spans from April to June 1895, all applicants are grouped alphabetically by last name, and then subgrouped by trade. While the same variety of trades referenced above also appears here, the vast majority of applicants are classified as stone cutters. Within each subgrouping, applicants appear in chronological order by date of application. The name of the individual recommending each applicant (not all applicants were recommended), along with title and/or affiliation, is listed alongside applicant name. No name index is available for this volume.

Access Restrictions

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

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