Society for the Relief of Half-Orphan and Destitute Children Records, 1836-1923, bulk 1853-1922

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection is comprised of a register of childrens' names and their backgrounds, agreements between the child's guardian and the Society, Executive Board minutes, application notes and lists of dismissed children.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in six series.

• Series I: Register, 1836-1856
• Series II: Agreement Books, 1872-1932
• Series III: Executive Board Minutes, 1853-1922
• Series IV: Applications Book, 1887-1920
• Series V: Dismissal Book, 1847-1857
• Series VI: Correspondence & Printed Materials, 1880-1923

Description

Summary

The records in this collection consist of a register of children and their background information, Executive Board meeting minutes, bound books of signed agreements between the parent and the Society, descriptive application notes of children and parents, and general correspondence.

• Series I: Register, 1836-1856

  This series consists of a register book. The register includes childrens' names, parents' names, parents' occupations, addresses and religious information.

• Series II: Agreement Books, 1872-1932

  This series is comprised of bound books of signed and dated agreements between the parent or relative giving custody to the Society of a child or children.

• Series III: Executive Board Minutes, 1853-1922

  This series consists of the monthly meeting reports of the Society.

• Series IV: Applications Book, 1887-1920

  In this series, handwritten notes have been recorded detailing the date, parent's name, and child's name with some background information.

• Series V: Dismissal Book, 1847-1857

  This series contains in a bound book, names of children who were discharged from the Society, either by their parents or relatives or by death.

• Series VI: Correspondence & Printed Materials, 1880-1923

  This series contains letters to the Society, blank donation slips and receipts, and other general items.

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Curator of Manuscripts/University Archivist, Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RBML). The RBML approves permission to publish that which it physically owns; the responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Society for the Relief of Half-Orphan and Destitute Children Records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accrual

No additions are expected

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Ownership and Custodial History

Transferred from the School of Social Work Library, 1989.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--School of Social Work Library. Address--Columbia University. Method of acquisition--Transfer; Date of acquisition--03/07/89. Accession number--M-89-03-07.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Records Processed HR 05/18/92.

Papers processed by Marilyn Chin (Queens College, 2011).

Finding aid written by Marilyn Chin (Queens College, 2011) March 2011.

Collection is processed to folder level.

Revision Description

2011-03-16 File created.

2011-03-22 XML document instance created by Catherine C. Ricciardi

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

The Society for the Relief of Half-Orphan and Destitute Children was established in 1835. Its purpose was to provide aid to single parents or relatives, most of whom were immigrants, for a weekly or monthly fee. It was incorporated by the New York State Legislature on April 27, 1837 and located in New York City at 67 West Tenth Street, near Sixth Avenue. The Society provided room, board and education to boys and girls from the ages of four through ten. In addition to the fees paid by the parents, the Society was financially supported by donations and funds from the government. From the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, the Society accepted and helped more than two thousand needy children.