Research

Dannemora State Hospital Transfer Records and Daily Census Reports


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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:
This series documents inmate transfers to Dannemora State Hospital and daily hospital censuses. Transfer records include: inmate name; identification number; transferring institution and date; date current attack began; former conditions; personal habits; supposed cause of insanity; insane relatives; patient interview; and patient actions. Census books list daily number of inmates admitted; discharged as recovered, much improved, improved, unimproved, and died; re-commitments; total number of inmates; remarks (patient's name and identification number); and average daily population by month. Records are restricted.
Creator:
Title:
Dannemora State Hospital transfer records and daily census reports
Quantity:

1 cubic foot

(5 volumes)

Inclusive Dates:
1911-1972
Series Number:
B1680

Arrangement

Arranged by type of record and therein chronological.

Scope and Content Note

This series documents transfers of individual inmates (1911-1928) to Dannemora State Hospital, as well as daily hospital censuses (1919-1972). Transfer records include: inmate name and identification number; institution received from; date of transfer; number of previous "attacks;" date current attack began; former conditions; personal habits; supposed cause of insanity; insane relatives; statement made by patient at interview; actions of patient; other facts (usually statements of guards); and signature of physician. Other information, such as correspondence, is sometimes attached. Entries for early years are hand written on printed forms. Beginning ca. 1921, some narratives are typewritten and attached.

Census books list in columnar format the daily number of inmates admitted; numbers discharged as recovered, much improved, improved, unimproved, and died; total number of inmates; re-commitments; and remarks. Under remarks for each day, patient identification numbers and names are listed to correspond with numbers admitted. Average daily hospital population is given for each month.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Volume list is available at the repository.

Processing Information

This accession resulted from a project by Archives staff in 1999 to describe or integrate estrayed or unidentified records. Records were apparently transferred to the State Archives in 1978, but accessioning was delayed.

Access Restrictions

Patient data is restricted in accordance with Section 33.13, Mental Hygiene Law, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office of Mental Health.

Access Terms

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