New York State Commission on Relief for Widowed Mothers Transcripts of Hearings

Chronological by hearing date.

The commission was established by authority of Chapter 588 of the Laws of 1913 to investigate and report on the practicability and appropriate method of providing by statute for pensions or other relief for widowed mothers. Its work included an investigation of the circumstances affecting widowed mothers which would show the necessity or propriety of providing relief, and it was required to submit a report to the 1914 legislature on its findings, including recommendations on proposed legislation. The commission and its appointed subcommittees had authority to inquire into the conditions and statutes "in any State and country" and in doing so to "send for persons or papers," examine witnesses under oath, and take all necessary measures to examine the subject.

The series consists of typescript copies, with infrequent annotations, of testimony given to the commission and its subcommittees on the question of relief for widowed mothers caring for dependent children. The commission, as authorized by Chapter 588 of the Laws of 1913, called representatives of many charitable organizations to confer with commission members on the objectives, policies, and work of their respective organizations in providing such relief.

The series includes testimony by representatives of the following organizations; Brooklyn Bureau of Charities; Charity Organization Society of the City of New York; Charity Organization Society of Buffalo; New York Association for the Improvement of the Poor; United Hebrew Charities; and various other organizations in New York City, Albany, Syracuse, and Rochester.

Testimony typically concerned: goals, policies, and activities of the organization; specific cases of widowed mothers with dependent children and actions taken by the organization in those cases; hypothetical cases and proposed actions of the organization in those cases; and personal opinions of private or public actions or policies necessary to provide adequate relief to widows with dependent children.

Also included in the series are transcripts of conferences held by the commission in Chicago, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin to gather information on existing and needed provisions, laws, and policies of public and private charities.

Microfilm is available for use at the New York State Archives or through inter-library loan.

There is an index to witnesses for the November 25, 1913 hearing found at the front of Folder 15.

Folder list is available at the repository.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.