The Massachusetts Archives holds legislative documents that enable researchers to trace the development of the state’s policies on leprosy.
Regarding records created by or received by the Massachusetts Legislature, the archive holds legislative packets for passed acts, passed resolves, and unpassed legislation (separate collections for House and Senate).
The legislative packets for passed and unpassed legislation typically include the original petition, drafts of the final bill, and in some cases committee reports or other documentation created in the legislative process. Original papers (i.e. petitions, drafts) relating to laws passed before the 1780s can generally be found in the Massachusetts Archives Collection (http://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arccol/colmac.htm).
Massachusetts does not hold transcripts of legislative sessions, but the House and Senate Journals offer an overview of what was discussed each day. The information is basic, but it will indicate when the petition/bill was discussed. The drafts and committee reports found in the legislative packets can offer an indication of intent, as the researcher will see which sections or phrases were edited or deleted and what replaced those sections.
Unpassed legislation includes not only petitions that failed to become law, but also Governor’s messages, orders, resolutions, reports from committees, and other documents created by or received by the Legislature. Unpassed legislation from 1780-1856 can be searched through a catalog available on microfilm in the Reading Room, and from 1857 forward, researchers must use the House and Senate Journals to determine whether there were any failed petitions or reports that might be of interest in the unpassed collection.
Researchers can also search the acts and resolves that were passed by the Massachusetts Legislature through the published Acts and Resolves volumes which are available here at the Archives or online through the State Library: http://www.mass.gov/anf/research-and-tech/oversight-agencies/lib/acts-and-resolves.html
The archives also hold the records of the Penikese Hospital. Note that access to these records is restricted by state laws regarding access to medical records/information. A description follows.
The Penikese Hospital was founded in 1905 for the care and treatment of people affected by leprosy. These case histories and register show the medical and social background of the patients at the hospital. The patient histories include the name and date of admission, the history (place of origin, travels, occupation, family history, residence, ethnicity), and remarks (progress of disease, appearance of patient upon examination, and disposition of case). Some files include correspondence. There is also an alphabetical register of patients, including the date of admission and the disposition of the case.
Patient histories and register, 1905-1919
1 file folder (partial doc. box)
This includes state government records, case files, hospital records, medical records, and registers (lists)
Agency history record (CStRLIN)MASVAH0081-A describes the history and functions of the Dept. of Public Welfare, an agency successor to the State Board of Charity.
Agency history record (CStRLIN)MASVAH0079-A describes the history and functions of the Penikese Hospital.
Records also cover the State care and treatment of lepers in Massachusetts, 1916. They include state government records, histories, hospital records, and photographic prints
The records include a narrative, composed by the secretary of the State Board of Charity, which tells of the origins, establishment, and development of the hospital. Topics include a summary of cases, methods of care, events and proposals that led to the establishment and development of the hospital, the social life of patients, medical treatment, costs, and policies of the board that administered the hospital. In the report, the annotation “board records” refers to Minutes of the State Board of Charity ((M-Ar)537). Included is a plan of the Penikese Cemetery, with names and locations of grave sites and a photograph of the cemetery taken from a clipping. Also included is the federal legislation for the quarantine, treatment, and prevention of leprosy in the United States.
The Massachusetts Archives are typically open for research Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30. Please see the website for further information: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/
Entry updated January 2016