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• Full Finding Aid
• Overview
• Arrangement
• Administrative History
• Scope and Contents
• Access Restrictions
• Access Terms

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Manhattan State Hospital Medical Certificates of Lunacy (Commitment)

Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology. See: New York State Archives Statement on Language in Descriptive Resources

Overview of the Records

Arrangement

Arranged by type of release (either "death" or "transfer") and then roughly chronological.

Administrative History

In February 1896, a law was signed by the Governor converting the New York City asylums for the insane into a state hospital and establishing the Manhattan State Hospital.

Scope and Content Note

The series consists of a relatively small number of medical certificates, petitions, lunacy orders, and other forms containing patient information which document the process used to commit patients for care at the New York City Asylum for the Insane (and its successor, the Manhattan State Hospital). The types and form of information given in the process changed over time.

Admission documentation typically includes patient name; address; color; place of birth; age; marital status; height; weight; eye and hair color; occupation; religion; education level; occupation of father; occupation of spouse; temperate (yes/no); hereditary (other family members mental issues); history of previous attacks, treatment, and hospitalizations; physical and mental condition on admission; synopsis of case; names of father, mother, and other interested parties.

Attached 'Certificates of Lunacy' include summary information concerning, physical and mental condition, name of court of record, name of asylum, and signature of judge ordering commitment. Also included are references number and page of relevant case book, date of certificate, approval date, name of receiving institution, date of admission, consecutive (case) number, number committed for the year, and legal status (whether indigent, public, or private).

Access Restrictions

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

Access Terms