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The Inmates of Willard: A Genealogy Resource
This blog is in preparation of a new genealogy resource book soon to be published about the Willard Asylum for the Insane and the first generation of Willard Inmates. It was written with genealogy geeks in mind. It is for those who want to glimpse the past, enjoy reading historical documents with little or no interpretation, and want to acquire basic knowledge about Willard in one resource without having to search the Internet to read hundreds of articles to understand what it was about. The most important feature of this book (and blog) is that it includes the names of over 4,000 inmates, something for which geeks are constantly searching. My personal interpretations and transcriptions of the names of the Inmates of Willard from U.S. Federal Censuses for the years 1870, 1880, and 1900, have been disseminated onto spreadsheets that the reader may find an ancestor more easily. The book is a collection of historical documents and laws of the time that tell the most accurate story of the people and politics surrounding the controversial Willard Asylum. Although this book deals with the specifics of Willard and its inmates, the laws, rules, and regulations applied to all county poor houses, city alms houses, and public and private mental institutions in the State of New York. The history of the treatment of the insane belongs to us all.
How To Receive Information On Your Ancestor
Form OMH 11 is what you need to obtain your ancestor’s medical record. You also need the cooperation of your family physician to fill out the paperwork. The response to this inquiry will be sent to your physician’s office, not to your home. Please call the Greater Binghamton Health Center and talk with them directly with your questions. GOOD LUCK! This form is available at:
http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/forms/omh11.pdf
http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/hipaa/manual/appendix4_omh446.htm
http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/forms/
Mail or Fax the completed form to:
Greater Binghamton Health Center
425 Robinson Street
Binghamton,NY 13904-1775
Phone: (607) 724-1391; Fax: (607) 773-4387; TTY: (607) 773-4255
4 Comments
Looking for information about Edna Dempsey – Trumansburg, NY
Died at Willard January 1963.
Probably been there since WWI.
Family asked/told not to come after a few visits because Edna out of touch.
Thank you.
J. True
My grandmother died at willard after a 37 year stay. I am being told her records are sealed. Much to my surprise I just read a book called “What They Left Behind”. I suggest anyone with a relative who was a patient there read this book. It contains detailed descriptions of the lives of several Willard patients including letters from family members, medical notes from doctors, interviews with the patients, etc. When I asked the NYS Mental Health bureaucracy how the authors obtained such information, I was told one of the authors was an employee of the state when he wrote the book. If he can get this kind of information I am puzzled and disturbed that I cannot get information on my Grandmother. I think Willard families need to file a class action suit to get these records. It seems like the “Seal” doesn’t apply to everyone.
I’m a researcher trying to uncover the biography of a writer who I have reasons to believe was an “inmate” at Willard in the 1930s and 40s. Is it possible for someone like me to access his file? I really want to tell his story which seems completely repressed and buried… Thank you for any help you’re able to offer!
my great Aunt Kathleen Delap was listed on the 1940’s census I have searched everything but come up with nothing,I want to know did she die there?was she released from this facilty,PLEASE SOMEONE HAS TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THESE POOR SOUL’S.