Willard Asylum for the Insane Record of Commitments
Statement on Language
Some content in this finding aid may contain offensive terminology. For more information on why this language is occasionally retained, see: New York State Archives Statement on Harmful Language in Descriptive Resources.
Overview of the Records
Repository
- New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
- This series consists of transcripts of orders of admission and medical certificates (commitment papers) for patients admitted to Willard State Hospital. Records include patient's name; date admitted; and residence. Medical certificates include physician's observations and opinions concerning patient's behavior, mental condition, and cause of insanity.
Title
- Willard Asylum for the Insane record of commitments
Quantity
- 1 cubic foot; 1 volume
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
- B1465
Creator
Arrangement
Roughly chronological by date of commitment.
Scope and Content Note
This volume contains transcripts of orders of admission and medical certificates (commitment papers) for patients admitted to Willard State Hospital. Each page of the volume contains one record consisting of a printed form with information. The record for each patient is comprised of several parts. The first portion of the form supplies information concerning the patient including name; date admitted; and residence. Information is then given concerning the person delivering the patient to the asylum and the person ordering the commitment, including names; places of residence; offices; and occupations.
The Order of Admission section includes a statement of which county is chargeable for the patient's support; that the patient is a lunatic; names and signatures of two physicians qualified as Medical Examiners certifying under oath to the patient's insanity; signature of the superintendent of the poor of the county ordering that the patient be taken to the asylum and authorizing and requiring the superintendent to receive, detain, and maintain the patient at the expense of the county until legally discharged; signature; and date.
A copy of the Medical Certificate signed by the physicians include their observations and opinions concerning the patients' behavior, mental condition, and cause of insanity. The record concludes with a statement certifying that the patient was duly admitted, with date and signature of hospital staff member. Some records add information concerning the patient's subsequent discharge (usually "not recovered") with date and signature of staff member.
Related Material
B1429Series B1429, Medical Certificate of Lunacy (Commitment) Papers, 1869-1897, contains the originals on which these transcripts are based.
Other Finding Aids
Alphabetical name index at beginning of volume.
Custodial History
These records were transferred to the State Archives from Willard Psychiatric Center at the time of its closure in April, 1995.
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
Corporate Name(s)
Geographic Name(s)
Subject(s)
- Mentally ill--Commitment and detention
- Psychiatric hospitals--Records--New York (State)
- Mentally ill--Care
- Insanity (Law)
- Psychiatric hospital patients--New York (State)