Register of children placed out, 1869-1905.

ArchivalResource

Massachusetts. State Board of Charity. Register of children placed out, 1869-1905.

Register of children placed out, 1869-1905.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/319633859

Series consists of volumes with printed headings in which were compiled case histories of children placed out by the state, starting with the establishment of the Visiting Agency. Initially records were entered in batches alphabetically or by case number, presumably taken from records of their originating institutions (state almshouses, state primary school), or, for juvenile offenders by the institution where placed, or by the probate or other court committing them. Each page contains an entry for an individual child, with legends for name, case no., birth date, residence, physical description, date committed, place to which committed (reform school, school ship), offense, date of indenture, person to whom indentured, and names of parents. A space follows for a descriptive history of the individual, including such details as status of parents and siblings, indenture placement, arrest background, and church attendance (for juvenile offenders). Periodic updates, made by visiting agents starting in 1869, describe the ward's performance at the current placement, home conditions, schooling or job status, health, further criminal activity, departure, adoption, and the like. New records were entered from 1869, arranged by client no. assigned by the respective institution (board, nautical school, reform school, primary school)

7 cubic ft. (35 v.)Index 0.3 cubic ft. (3 v. and 1 file folder)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Archives