Re: Dropsy & Inmate

Jan & Gary Dunham (jedunham@flash.net)
Mon, 10 Mar 1997 20:00:08 -0600

I've encountered the word "inmate" in several census records. It seems to
be used as a person who is "boarding" in a school or other type of place
where a child would be residing. In one instance, I found a child as an
"inmate" in a home for veterans of the civil war. I presumed that they
were orphans and that was the only place for them at the time.

Also, the adults of the home for veterans were called "inmates". I assume
they were classified as needing nursing care, or just a place to live, but
.. I'm sure there are many other meanings for the word, but this one was a
first for me.

Jan D.

----------
> From: Mulac <mulac@lethal.net>
> To: GEN-NYS-L@rootsweb.com
> Subject: Dropsy & Inmate
> Date: March 09, 1997 3:31 PM
>
> Can someone tell me what the condition "Dropsy" is?
>
> Also would like to find out what was meant by "inmate" on 1700's tax
> lists and census?
>
> Thanks for the help.
>
> Beth Mulac

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