Thomas Indian School Register of Visitors

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Thomas Indian School Register of Visitors

Held by the New York State Archives

Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives

New York State Education Department

Cultural Education Center

Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

The series consists of a one-volume manuscript roll of visitors to the Thomas Indian School over a twenty-five year period. Entries include visitor's name, address, and date of visit.

Creator:

Thomas Indian School

Title:

Thomas Indian School register of visitors

Quantity:

0.1 cubic feet; 1 volume; 1 microfilm roll 35mm

Inclusive Dates:

1881-1906

Series Number:

A1911

Arrangement

Roughly chronological by date of visit.

Scope and Content Note

The series consists of a one-volume manuscript roll of visitors to the school over a twenty-five year period. The register apparently continues a practice that originated earlier in the school's administration (see series A1909, Register of Trustees, Indian Children, and Visitors) and which formed a separate component in later years, as reflected by a book being dedicated solely to recording visitors.

Each entry in the register gives visitor's name, address, and date of visit. No totals or other administrative uses of the register are apparent. The reason for the visit is not listed, but given the nature of the school it may be inferred that visitors could be concerned family members, prospective adoptive parents, or interested educators or social welfare agents. The majority of visitors came from New York State, but there are also addresses from other states (Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Michigan, Florida, and Washington, D.C.) and nations (Canada, England, and China).

In later years the entries are somewhat disordered and appear less complete, suggesting either a drop-off in visitors or a less strict adherence to accounting for visitors.