Genesee County Archives
| Record Series: | Indentured Servants |
| Sample of Records: | View a sample document |
| Dates: | 1827 - 1899 Bulk Dates: 1830's |
| Geographic Location: | Bethany - County Home / Almshouse |
| Format: | Printed forms with handwritten data |
| Arrangement: | Chronologically |
| Volume: | 0.5 Cubic Feet |
| Department: | County Clerk |
| Use Restrictions: | Staff will access all records and must approve all requests for copies created - documents are in fragile condition. |
| Legal Restrictions: | None |
| Historical Background: | The Genesee County Home / almshouse was established in 1826 by the Board of Supervisors, at the direction of the State of New York. Prior to this time, responsibility for the care of indigents, the insane, orphans and abandoned children was held by the individual towns of the county. During the 19th Century children were indentured as laborers until they had served a number of specified years or reach an age of freedom. For males the age was 21 and for females it was 18 years old. The Genesee County Home / Almshouse practiced indentureship for almost a century. Children were used for farm labor and housekeepers; however some families used indentures as a method to expand their families, as infants were taken. Children found their way into the County's Home / Almshouse by being born at the facility, admitted by a relative or with its mother. The Overseers of the Poor were authorized to act as guardians and the children were indentured or contracted for work services to area families. In 1831 children between the ages of 5 and 16 were required to be educated in similar fashion as to those in public school. An investigation of the condition of children in Almhouses within New York State led to the enactment of laws in 1875 which required counties to send children to orphanges. The children in Genesee County were sent to the Ontario Orpahn Asylum. |
| Description of Record Series: | The collection includes: contracts stating the terms of the indenture. The children's names, ages and sex are noted, as well as who took them and the town they were to live. |
| Purpose of Record: | These records document the placement of children with families in the various towns within the county and or neighboring counties. |
| Other Format: | None |
| Finding Aids: |
Information regarding the Index |
| Related Series: | Genesee County Home / Almshouse records collection |