New York State Agricultural and Industrial School Male Inmate Case History Books

Arranged chronologically by admission date and numerically by inmate number.

This series contains basic information, including personal, family, and criminal history, regarding each male inmate admitted during the period from 1849 to 1939. Most of the information was entered at the time of admission, with some additional information added later to document inmates' progress or changes in status. The first eight volumes (to 1871) contain handwritten, narrative case histories. After November 1871, information was entered on a standard printed form, which was revised and expanded in 1875 and 1889.

For the period from 1849 to 1871 (volumes 1-8), the case histories contain the following information on each inmate: age, name, committing court, criminal offense, previous crimes, education, quality of companions, grade assignment, discharge, indenture, activity after discharge (infrequently included), and general comments on problems and prospects (infrequently included). Information provided on parents includes nationality, whether owner of own home, and criminal history.

Additional information provided regarding inmates beginning in 1871 (volume 9) includes weight, height, eye color, hair, complexion, occupation, and nativity. Additional information on parents includes habits (temperate or intemperate), occupation, and number and gender of children in family.

Additional information provided regarding inmates beginning in 1875 (volume 10) includes name of person making complaint and whether inmate was previously in almshouse, orphan asylum, reform school, house of refuge, or truant house. Additional information on parents includes whether separated; whether stepfather or stepmother; religion; if ever arrested, and if so type of offense and whether convicted or imprisoned; and whether previously in almshouse.

Additional information provided regarding inmates beginning in 1889 (volume 16) includes religious training, apparent susceptibility to moral influences, institution life (prior placements), school record, general deportment (number of badges), physical condition and record of development, record of work, and record of parole. Additional information on parents includes education, pecuniary circumstances, and presence of insanity or epilepsy in family.

A microform use copy of the series is available at the New York State Archives; however, the copy is not available for use because of access restrictions that apply to the records.

Series A1960 New York State Agricultural and Industrial School Supplementary Case Files for Male Inmates contains more detailed information regarding inmates admitted during the period from 1876 to 1913. Especially noteworthy are details provided regarding the circumstances of commitment and parole.

Name indexes are included at the front of each of volumes 1 through 15 (1849-1889) in this record series. Record series A3063, New York State Agricultural and Industrial School Index to Male Inmate Case History Books, includes an alphabetical name index covering the years 1849 to 1867 and 1891 to 1949.

Restricted in accordance with Executive Law, Section 501-c(1)(b), relating to confidentiality of individuals in custody of the Division for Youth (now Office of Children and Family Services).