Here are some interesting facts around this heat wave and NYC. In 1896, New York City was still essentially New York County; Brooklyn was its own separate city. It wasn't until 1898 when Greater New York City was formed from the five counties of New York, Bronx, Richmond, Kings and Queens. This is a key year for genealogists as the Municipal Archives collection of vital records began to include all five areas in this year. 1896 "During the summer of 1896, a 10-day heat wave killed nearly 1,500 people*... [about 100,000] people were crammed into tenements on the Lower East Side, with no air conditioning, little circulating air and no running water. Families were packed together — with five to six people sharing a single room. Extra space on the floor was rented out to single men — many of whom worked six days a week doing manual labor [dock workers] out in the sun." http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129127924 These were the days of the 6 day/60 hour work week. An emergency [triage] hospital was set up in the basement of the 2nd Madison Square Garden. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Square_Garden_%281890%29 While NYC Mayor William Strong (Rep) did nothing, Theodore Roosevelt was the hero of these 90 degree days. Acting as NYC Police Commissioner, Roosevelt had ice police precincts distribute ice, ice blocks deposited on sidewalks, and streets hosed down. NYC TENEMENT PHOTO circa 1900 (scan down to see sleepers on roofs ) Park Avenue and 107th Street The mayor, William Strong, did not even call an emergency meeting of department heads until the very last day of the heat wave. Instead it was left to individual department heads to take initiative, change policies, and save lives. One hero of the heat wave was Theodore Roosevelt, President of the Board of Police Commissioners. Five years away from becoming president, Roosevelt proposed giving away free ice to the city’s poor. Before the advent of home refrigeration, ice was a life-saving luxury that had been priced out of reach of many poor New Yorkers because of an “Ice Trust.” Roosevelt personally supervised the ice distribution from the police precinct houses, not only “busting” this particular trust, but also having intimate contact with the city’s working poor. Writing his memoirs years later he would remember the “gasping misery of the little children and of the worn-out mothers.” Such scenes must have helped shape the man who was about to become the dominant figure of the Progressive era. - See more at: http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/131243#sthash.G6fdMlKC.dpuf One hero of the heat wave was Theodore Roosevelt, President of the Board of Police Commissioners. Five years away from becoming president, Roosevelt proposed giving away free ice to the city’s poor. Before the advent of home refrigeration, ice was a life-saving luxury that had been priced out of reach of many poor New Yorkers because of an “Ice Trust.” Roosevelt personally supervised the ice distribution from the police precinct houses, not only “busting” this particular trust, but also having intimate contact with the city’s working poor. - See more at: http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/131243#sthash.G6fdMlKC.dpuf http://www.shorpy.com/node/6896?size=_original#caption DC from heat stroke http://static1.squarespace.com/static/51d507c0e4b0bd06a5ee4ab3/t/51db4229e4b095557275b3f4/1373323819925/cityfeverspell.png?format=500w * tenement dwellers incurred the majority of deaths, some from falling off roofs when sleeping Barb One hero of the heat wave was Theodore Roosevelt, President of the Board of Police Commissioners. Five years away from becoming president, Roosevelt proposed giving away free ice to the city’s poor. Before the advent of home refrigeration, ice was a life-saving luxury that had been priced out of reach of many poor New Yorkers because of an “Ice Trust.” Roosevelt personally supervised the ice distribution from the police precinct houses, not only “busting” this particular trust, but also having intimate contact with the city’s working poor. - See more at: http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/131243#sthash.G6fdMlKC.dpuf

Further on heat waves. And no refrigerators. Remember "the iceman cometh." My Mom recalled waiting for the iceman to come to the apartment to carry the big, heavy ice block up several flights of stairs. Death from food poisoning was common, especially among young children. In the early 1910's my uncle's twin brother passed from food poisoning. Regards, Sherri

Hi Marie, and all, Here is the BROOKLYN HOMEPAGE today, since the huge Rootsweb crash; it's carried by stevemorse now> http://bklyn-genealogy-info.stevemorse.org/index.html Same great information, though! Barb -----Original Message----- From: jwilcox via [email protected] Thank you for posting-look how far we have come! What's the link forthe Brooklyn Freepages? I've been away for a while and understand that thelink changed.... Thanks- Marie -----

Hi Barb, and all, Well, it certainly wasn't 1896, but the earth hadn't gone around that same sizzling sun that many more times either, when we were going through much the same character-building NYC Summers as you describe. Oh, we had electricity and running water, but Mr. Carrier had still to come up with the miracle of AC, so it was the fire escapes and Tar Beach for the majority of us, and fire hydrants and city pools. Two bits would get you all-day admission to Thomas Jefferson pool at 116th St. near the East River, and on the way home a dime is all it took to buy one of the greatest treats on the planet: a huge, salted, doughy pretzel that you chewed slowly, slowly, slowly to get every delicious ounce of flavor possible down your gullet. (Wish I had one now.) Jack Langton -----Original Message----- From: mizscarlettny via <[email protected]> To: NY-IRISH <[email protected]>; NYNEWYOR <[email protected]>; nybrooklyn <[email protected]> Sent: Tue, Jul 21, 2015 3:55 pm Subject: [NY-IRISH] THe HEAT WAVE of 1896 Whether your friends are emailing from north, east south or west... everyone's writhing in the high temps these salty days. Just imagine surviving these temps in August 1896 in a NYC tenement? Small rooms cramped with a half dozen or more others, sleeping on roofs or fire escapes, no electricity or air, wool clothing...no running water...yikes! http://www.tenement.org/blog/summer-blaze/?utm_source=The+Tenement+Museum+Newsletter+List&utm_campaign=952e25a4c3-Weekly_Update_7_21_157_15_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_42667ed4e8-952e25a4c3-225141861 City sanitation workers would flood the streets to keep the dusty pavements at bay. Over five hundred horses died during the heat wave of 1896...imagine disposing of them and that stench...Some 1500 people perished from heat stroke in NYC. Some days, you just feel lucky! Barb

Whether your friends are emailing from north, east south or west... everyone's writhing in the high temps these salty days. Just imagine surviving these temps in August 1896 in a NYC tenement? Small rooms cramped with a half dozen or more others, sleeping on roofs or fire escapes, no electricity or air, wool clothing...no running water...yikes! http://www.tenement.org/blog/summer-blaze/?utm_source=The+Tenement+Museum+Newsletter+List&utm_campaign=952e25a4c3-Weekly_Update_7_21_157_15_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_42667ed4e8-952e25a4c3-225141861 City sanitation workers would flood the streets to keep the dusty pavements at bay. Over five hundred horses died during the heat wave of 1896...imagine disposing of them and that stench...Some 1500 people perished from heat stroke in NYC. Some days, you just feel lucky! Barb

"The Marking of The Mob New York: The Mob at War" 10pm eastern AMC= 43 in metro NYC

Dear Friends, While researching at the NYC Municipal Archives, I made notes about Death Certificates for four Catherine HAMMILs (spelling variations). These spellings match those used by the IGG/GGG projects. Details listed are all I have. PLEASE NOTE: l) DOBs are calculated by age at time if death and may not be actual; 2) Years residing in U.S. may be estimated; 3) Be sure to confirm burials with cemeteries. l) MANHATTAN DEATH CERT #9039 DOB: 1850-1851 Catherine HAMMELL, age 57y; DOD 14 March 1908; Widow Born in IRELAND; resided NYC for 40 years Parents: Thomas CONOLLY b IRE & Mary McGEORY b IRE Place of Death: 113 1/2 E 31st Street, NY, NY Cause of Death: cerebral hemorrhage 2) MANHATTAN DEATH CERT #58 in 1910, DOB: 1854-1855 Catherine HOMILL, age 55y; DOD 30 December 1909*; Housewife Born in IRELAND; resided NYC for 40 years Parents: John DALY b IRE & ??? b IRE Place of Death: 500 11th Avenue Cause of Death: bronchitis, asthma Written in margin "Do not know mother's name" * Death cert filed in year following death 3) MANHATTAN DEATH CERT # 1298, DOB: 1835-1836 Catherine HAMMILL, age 78y; DOD:10 January 1914; single; no occupation Born in IRELAND; resided NYC for 50 years Parents: William HAMMILL & Catherine CARPENTER Place of Death: 433 E 82nd St., NY, NY --tenement Cause of Death: arterio sclerosis Burial: Calvary Cemetery on 12 January 1914 4) MANHATTAN DEATH CERT #14534 DOB: 1852-1853 Catherine HAMMILL, age 76y; DOD: 22 May 1929; Widow--housewife Born in IRELAND; resided NYC for 50 years Parents: Michael HEARTY? or H???TY b IRE & Sarah HOUGHY b IRE Place of Death: 326 E 37th St, NY, NY --tenement Cause of Death: lobar pneumonia Burial: Calvary Cemetery on 25 May 1929 Please share on NY-Irish if any of these are your ancestors, Barb

Dear Friends, The Brooklyn Historical Society has files of original documents for this family from 1884 to 1921. http://brooklynhistory.org/library/wp/jacob-brenner-papers-1884-1921/ "This collection contains documents and news clippings of Jacob A. Brenner (1857-1921), former Brooklyn magistrate and Kings County Commissioner of Jurors. The collection chiefly relates to Brenner’s numerous appointments in the Kings County judicial system and his membership in the Republican Party, as well as personal materials regarding the death of his wife, Louise (Blumenau) Brenner.The Honorable Jacob A. Brenner, born on April 8, 1857 to Simon Brenner (1820-1898), an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, and Caroline Alexander (1830-1900), resided and worked in Brooklyn and Amityville, N.Y. his entire life." I hope this piques your interest in olde time Brooklyn, Barb

Here's a reminder, for anyone who needs Ancestry access. l) New York State residents can gain free access to New York records only, through the New York State Archives> http://www.archives.nysed.gov/research/res_ancestry.shtml 2) AARP offers a 30% discount to Ancestry, to members. Details here> http://discounts.aarp.org/offer/ancestry-com/deal/707823/uSource/MTFO Enjoy your digging! Barb

Dear Friends, Great news last Wednesday, and hearty congratulations to Melinda Hunt for her class action suit to allow folks access to the graves of their family members on Hart Island. Since prisoners from Rikers Island bury the dead here, NYC Dept of Corrections had sole access to the island. July 19th is the first day that NYC will offer round trip ferry rides to family members, then escort them to grave sites. Each ferry holds fifty people and reservations are required through the NYC Dept. of Corrections. BACKSTORY...This Bronx County island was purchased by the City of New York on 27 May 1868. It was used as a Union Army POW camp, a psych institution similar to the one on Blackwell's [today's Roosevelt Island], a TB sanatorium, potter's field, 19th c. boys' reformatory and, most recently, Phoenix House drug rehab. The first known interment was that of NYC's Louisa VanSlyke, age 24, DOD 10 April 1869. Hart Island is still active as "City Cemetery." 800,000 buried here since the inception as NYC Potter's Field and almost 65,000 since 1980. This is the largest "known" mass grave site in the world. NYC GENEALOGICAL IMPACT The American term "potter's field" has a Biblical derivation and is traditionally a burial ground for the indigent, "strangers" and unclaimed people. This includes, but is not limited to, our impoverished immigrant ancestors who arrived in NYC after May 1868. Note: Ancestors who were "inmates" at Blackwell's Island* [later Welfare, now Roosevelt] and Wards Island may be interred at Hart Island, no matter what building they lived in. Note: Your ancestor's admission card to Blackwell's may state that he has no living relatives; this was intentionally misleading so that no one was financially responsible for the bill. Note: NYC Death Certificates may state the burial place as "Potter's Field," or "City Cemetery," or "New York City Home--B.I." or just "B.I." I've seen all versions. I especially notice these place names on death certificates found via LDS aka "Family Search." HART ISLAND BURIALS via Find-A-Grave>So far this search engine is for deaths from 1980- PRESENT. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=65710 Earlier burial transcriptions are in the works. HART ISLAND PROJECT https://www.hartisland.net/ NY Times NEWS> http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/09/nyregion/new-york-city-to-allow-visits-to-grave-sites-on-hart-island.html?_r=0 VIDEO of "Secrets of New York" episode featuring Hart Island> http://a002-vod.nyc.gov/html/recent.php?id=2266 * Blackwell's Island= 1st national "lunatic asylum," smallpox hospital, reformatory, prison, almshouse, old age https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaUZ8Zxp2Ek I hope this original piece has peaked your interest in The Big Apple. Barb @ 7-10-2015

I've "rescued" an old photograph of Sophie GEBHARDT which was taken at the McNabb Studio on Broadway in New York City, NY. The photograph appears to have been taken in the 1890's or early 1900's with Sophie likely in her 20's at the time it was taken. In addition to her name, someone has also written "Cousin" on the back of the photograph. I'm hoping to be able to locate someone from this GEBHARDT Family so that the photograph can be returned to the care of family. If you are a member of this family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me. Thanks, Shelley

Another way to find a free Obit/Death Notice online is to execute a Google search. This may not lead you to a full Obituary, but it may link you to the specific newspaper article, especially in the New York Times. This method may also lead you to scanned out-of-print books that include your ancestor's name, such as old directories, voter registrations, and court transcripts. In the case of Madeline's ancestor, I'd enter it into Google like this, no quotation marks> Herman Kneib in NY, NY RESULTS> 1) 1862 Trow's Directory> https://books.google.com/books?id=kJEtAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA471&lpg=PA471&dq=Herman+Kneib+in+NY,+NY&source=bl&ots=QSLYCyUnSR&sig=zFlINBHeovRleEaZKsJQaFoQb5g&hl=en&sa=X&ei=SQiQVfgtypuDBMT-ovAG&ved=0CE0Q6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q=Herman%20Kneib%20in%20NY%2C%20NY&f=false 2) General Slocum Disaster ...lists a KNEIB Barb -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] via <[email protected]> If any kind soul on the list does have subscription access,either personally or thru their library, and would be nice enough to see ifthey could find a death notice and/or obituary in the metro NYC area for any KNEIB, Herman died 18 November, 1892/Manhattan KNEIB, Barara wife died 02 May, 1913/Manhattan I would be most appreciative. Thankyou, Madeline

Dear Friends, I still don't have full clarity about the difference between these two death-related positions. Obviously a Medical Examiner is a doctor and a Coroner is an elected position (which may infer that it may have a political interest in the outcome of the inquest). An inquest is an inquiry as to the cause of death, in reaction to questionable deaths. These deaths are not due to natural illnesses/diseases or age. You are invited to "crowd source"* this topic further. * "Crowd sourcing"= obtaining ideas from contributions from a large group of people A) NOTES Definitions Medical examiner: An appointed medically qualified officer whose duty is to investigate deaths and bodily injuries that occur under unusual or suspicious circumstances, to perform post-mortems, and sometimes to initiate inquests. [MEDICAL OFFICIAL aka doctor] Coroner: [related to Anglo-French corouner, from coroune, meaning crown]: An officer of a county, district, state, or municipality; originally, in medieval England, an official who upheld the monarch's rights of private property. From the 16th and 17th centuries on, the chief duty of the coroner was to HOLD INQUESTS on the bodies of those believed to have died by violence or accident, or who suffered grievous bodily harm. In modern times, in the United States, the coroner is an elected official. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/visibleproofs/galleries/cases/examiner.html B) Other potential records> http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/html/archives/collections_coroner.shtml Barb

Hi Theresa, Would you mind sending it to me also. I performed research for Michael and would like to see all docs. Thank you, Barb -----Original Message----- From: Teresa Guidice via <[email protected]> To: nynewyor <[email protected]> Sent: Fri, Jun 26, 2015 12:48 pm Subject: Re: [NYNEWYOR] CRIMES vs Irish immigrants in NYC Michael, I have found a NYT article regarding his capture and will send it as a pdf attachment to you offlist. Teresa On Jun 26, 2015 9:27 AM, "Michael Hamill via" <[email protected]> wrote: > > Good morning all, > Barb is referring to my gt. grandfather’s brother, John HAMILL. Does anyone have access to the New York Times archives? I was able to find a lot of press about this at fultonhistory and in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle through the Brooklyn Library (thanks to all who assist those sites, they are so valuable). I’m wondering if the NYT also carried the story, and would be grateful to anyone who might be able to search: > John HAMILL, Wednesday, May 5, 1909, killed by Matthew Lettish, aka Matthre Leddy, aka “Yellow” at Felix McKENNA’s saloon at 438 Eleventh Avenue. > Lettish was eventually caught in November in Chicago, and in December sentenced to 20-life. Any help much appreciated! ************************************* Jim Garrity, List Administrator [email protected] ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

When searching old newspapers I've also found street numbers written out in words, i.e.: 395 East Forty Second I've had good luck finding information by searching addresses. Regards, Sherri

Hi Barb, and all, Spot on info about searching street addresses, and entering the search exactly as the newspaper was wont to. You do have to watch that the format wasn't changed by a newspaper consolidating with the one across town. A new management of the same newspaper might also prompt a change in style. Best bet is to read the letters and not the words, as a proofreader might, staying alert to capitals and abbreviations. (As I fail to do about half the time.) Jack Langton -----Original Message----- From: mizscarlettny via <[email protected]> To: NY-IRISH <[email protected]>; NYNEWYOR <[email protected]>; nybrooklyn <[email protected]> Sent: Fri, Jun 26, 2015 1:42 am Subject: [NYNEWYOR] Newspaper searching? When we search historical newspapers, we've all been frustrated by the dearth of hits resulting from searching our common Irish names. One way around this, is to search by a street address. The best tip I can give you is to format the street address the same way that other addresses appear in that specific newspaper. Then enter "exact search." The words street, avenue, etc were not capitalized,in historical newspapers as proper proper nouns are today. So, a search would look something like this > "395 East 42nd street" Some newspapers did not spell out words like East and West, but used abbreviations WITH a period, OR without a period, like this> "395 E. 42nd street" and "395 E 42nd street" Further, some older newspapers dropped the "n" in the "-nd" following "42nd" so this same address may appear as> "395 E. 42d street" My suggestion is to try each of these address styles when searching historical newspapers, you are bound to get less hits than when tracking John Burke. Guaranteed! Barb ************************************* Jim Garrity, List Administrator [email protected] ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Michael, I have found a NYT article regarding his capture and will send it as a pdf attachment to you offlist. Teresa On Jun 26, 2015 9:27 AM, "Michael Hamill via" <[email protected]> wrote: > > Good morning all, > Barb is referring to my gt. grandfather’s brother, John HAMILL. Does anyone have access to the New York Times archives? I was able to find a lot of press about this at fultonhistory and in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle through the Brooklyn Library (thanks to all who assist those sites, they are so valuable). I’m wondering if the NYT also carried the story, and would be grateful to anyone who might be able to search: > John HAMILL, Wednesday, May 5, 1909, killed by Matthew Lettish, aka Matthre Leddy, aka “Yellow” at Felix McKENNA’s saloon at 438 Eleventh Avenue. > Lettish was eventually caught in November in Chicago, and in December sentenced to 20-life. Any help much appreciated!

Good morning all, Barb is referring to my gt. grandfather’s brother, John HAMILL. Does anyone have access to the New York Times archives? I was able to find a lot of press about this at fultonhistory and in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle through the Brooklyn Library (thanks to all who assist those sites, they are so valuable). I’m wondering if the NYT also carried the story, and would be grateful to anyone who might be able to search: John HAMILL, Wednesday, May 5, 1909, killed by Matthew Lettish, aka Matthre Leddy, aka “Yellow” at Felix McKENNA’s saloon at 438 Eleventh Avenue. Lettish was eventually caught in November in Chicago, and in December sentenced to 20-life. Any help much appreciated! Michael Yesterday another list member received a DC for his 25yo Irish ancestor who was was deliberately shot and killed by a pistol shot to his head, in a "saloon" owned by McKENNA in the meat packing district. This list member found many details about the execution style killing of his ancestor. Barb --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

When we search historical newspapers, we've all been frustrated by the dearth of hits resulting from searching our common Irish names. One way around this, is to search by a street address. The best tip I can give you is to format the street address the same way that other addresses appear in that specific newspaper. Then enter "exact search." The words street, avenue, etc were not capitalized,in historical newspapers as proper proper nouns are today. So, a search would look something like this > "395 East 42nd street" Some newspapers did not spell out words like East and West, but used abbreviations WITH a period, OR without a period, like this> "395 E. 42nd street" and "395 E 42nd street" Further, some older newspapers dropped the "n" in the "-nd" following "42nd" so this same address may appear as> "395 E. 42d street" My suggestion is to try each of these address styles when searching historical newspapers, you are bound to get less hits than when tracking John Burke. Guaranteed! Barb

Dear Friends, A while back some woman on this list told me about her Irish ancestor who died after a stabbing near the East River's active docks. She could not find verification in historical newspapers about the event. Yesterday another list member received a DC for his 25yo Irish ancestor who was was deliberately shot and killed by a pistol shot to his head, in a "saloon" owned by McKENNA in the meat packing district. This list member found many details about the execution style killing of his ancestor. This is all to say that these sorts of crimes should be verifiable in several ways: historical newspapers, Coroner's Reports and Autopsies. [Don't overlook the Historical New York Times; it does include everyday events of everyday people.] Would anyone like to share what records they tracked after discovering a crime where their Irish ancestor was a victim? Barb