Research

Scope and Content Note

This series records deaths of residents at the New York State Asylum for Idiots (1851-1890), later known as the Syracuse State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children (1891-1895). All pages carry the heading "Death Record" and provide for the same type of information, although headings do not reflect the institution's name change in 1891.

Volume 1 notes those (numbers 1-100) with a date of death from November 1851 through March 1884. There is a partial surname index (numbers 1-75) at the fore of the volume. Volume 2 notes those (numbers 101-201) with a date of death from April 1884 through May 1895. There is no index for this volume.

Basic information includes number, name, age, sex, date admitted, and date of death. Following are more detailed narratives on "description of case" (physical characteristics, mental development), "history of case" (medical), "causes of death," and "post-mortem appearance." When no autopsy was performed, the latter category typically includes brief information on disposition of the body (e.g., place of burial, release to family).