Obscure Finds

Every once-and-in-while I stumble across an obscure find and think “no one would know to look here for that.”  Usually I copy it or print it thinking “maybe someday I will share this, or someone will need it.”  Even if it isn’t helpful for me, I can’t overlook unique, obscure records, can you?

Here is an example.  While searching for a friend recently I found his great-great grandfather in the 1870 Ohio Census.  I discovered that he lived in the Cincinnati Infirmary.  “Sick” I thought, “he must have been sick.”  But as I did some research I realized the Cincinnati Infirmary was designed to help the poor.  His occupation was “Pauper.”

1870 US Census, Eastern One-Half Springfield Township in the County of Hamilton, State of Ohio 24th June 1870     Post Office: Glendale  Page 97, Line 2

Name                   Age        Race      Occupation         Place of Birth
Philip DIESTADT  69         white     Pauper                 Deutschland

The 1870 census lists about 400 names at the Cincinnati Infirmary, including the Superintendent and Staff.  Their place of births range from United States to Germany, Ireland, England and Switzerland.  Residents ages ranged between 1 and 105.  One can only imagine the circumstance that led folks to be housed here. 

Upon further search I found a Google book that described the Cincinnati Infirmary.  The Annual Report of the City Departments of the City of Cincinnati in 1865 posted a lengthy report and in Table 9 it listed the Name, Age, Nationality, Date, and Cause of death for all who died in the City Infirmary for the year ending Feb 28, 1865. [Annual Report of the City Departments of the City of Cincinnati.  Page 242.]

Likely the names listed were not in a position to have a probate record, sale of land, or even an obituary in the local paper.  So what a treasure to find this resource.

There is a similar list for the year 1889.  I am attaching these lists in hopes that someone, somewhere will find the name of their obscure ancestor.

The City Infirmary was a municipal institution affording relief to both in-door and out-door paupers.  The buildings, which are spacious and extensive, were located on the Carthage Road, 8 miles north of the city.  It was situated on a farm belonging to the institution which contained 160 acres of beautifully rolling land.  This position commands a fine view of the surrounding country.  During the year ending 1873 large additions were made to the buildings, and there was a larger number of inmates than were ever before gathered within its walls. [Illustrated Cincinnati:  A Pictural Handbook of the Queen City,  By Daniel J. Kenny, p. 50]

In 1874, there were 330 patients admitted, and the cost of supporting each was 22 cents per day.  The report states: lodgings and meals have been supplied to 616 “tramps,” or men on the road.  746 patients received medical treatment during the year.  In the City Infirmary School there were 30 pupils and the farm and garden produced $12,403.28.  [Representative Citizens, Volume 1, p. 1031]

Other tables include information such as the Ages of the Inmates Remaining, Mix of White, Black, Males and Females and a long list of “ailments they were admitted for.”

Often called the Poor House, the County  Home, the Insane Asylum or the Infirmary, these places provided a safe place for folks in need.  Sometimes home to abandoned children, the injured, the sick, and folks with hardships or illnesses.  Maybe it was just misfortune – we can only wonder. 

Here are a couple of links to other “List of Paupers” you may find useful.

http://genealogytrails.com/ohio/ohioinsaneasylums.htm  Ohio State Facilities

https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ohmontgs/infirmary/infirmary.html  Montgomery County, Ohio  Names of Paupers in Infirmary 1826-1840

https://hcgsohio.org/cpage.php?pt=69  Hamilton County Orphan Asylum Records and more

As always updates and corrections are welcomed.

See below for the full index of all names found in the three records, 1864 deaths, 1870 census, 1889 deaths. Click on the link to download the file to be able to search.

LINK:

INDEX of NAMES FOUND AT CINCINNATI INFIRMARY:  1864 deaths, 1870 census, 1889 deaths (word doc)