Scope and Content: The State Board of Charity’s Division of State Adult Poor provided state support for poor without legal settlement in Massachusetts (defined by St 1911, c 669 as continuous residence for five years in a given municipality). Its settlements unit investigated legal settlement status of those receiving state aid, as well as supervising aid administered by local authorities. In 1919 it was succeeded by the Subdivision of Settlements of the Division of Aid and Relief, Dept. of Public Welfare. The Division of Aid and Relief, in addition to determining settlement of paupers, was responsible through its Subdivision of Social Service (Institutions Dept.) for the admission and dismissal of inmates from the State Infirmary and the pauper department of the State Farm.
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Scope and Content: Massachusetts has administered water works and sewage disposal for the Boston metropolitan area successively through the Board of Metropolitan Sewerage Commissioners (Metropolitan Sewerage Commission) (1889-1901) and the Metropolitan Water Board (1895-1901); the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board (1901-1919); and the Water and Sewerage Divisions of the Metropolitan District Commission (1919-1985).  Since 1985, the sewerage works functions have been assigned to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), and the water works functions have been shared by the MWRA (distribution) and the Metropolitan District Commission (to 2003) and the Dept.  of Conservation and Recreation (since 2003) (water supply reservoirs and their watershed management).
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Transferred to Archives from Metropolitan District Commission
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Scope and Content: Since 1978, and with direct legislative authorization since 1983, the Coastal Zone Management Office within the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs has administered the interagency Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program, which was established under the auspices of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, PL 92-583.  The office reviews all activities directly affecting the coastal zone that require federal permits, to ensure that these are in compliance with approved state environmental management mandates such as provided in the Coastal Wetlands Restriction Act (St 1965, c 768).  It also reviews coastal-zone related projects requiring state or local permits; works with other state agencies to improve regulatory mechanisms to protect coastal resources and to set coastal management policies and priorities; and supports coastal-related scientific studies, mapping products, and citizen participation.  Series was created to determine changes in shoreline configuration from the 1840s to present, using conditions in 1978 as a basis for comparison.
Arrangement: Arranged by region (North Shore, South Shore, Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod, and The Islands), thereunder numerically. Each regional folder includes index map
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Scope and Content: The State Reform School for Girls was established in 1855 and opened in 1856 at Lancaster as the State Industrial School for Girls.  From 1911 until its closing in 1972 it was known as the Industrial School for Girls.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Restrictions: Youth services client information restricted by statutory provision MGLA c 120, s 21. For conditions of access consult repository
Notes: Deposited in the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe College, May 4, 1976.  Transferred to Archives, November 11, 1982. Volume 1: 1922-1925. Volume 2: 1925-1928. Volume 3: 1928-1931
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Scope and Content: Pursuant to St 1978, c 552, the Dept. of Social Services since 1980 has provided a comprehensive social service program for families, children, and unmarried parents; the aging; and other adults and population groups with special needs.  As part of its mandate, the department through its area offices provides counseling; legal, homemaker, educational, and training services; and services to prevent the need for foster care for children.  Single service case files are created to determine, authorize, and provide individual services, such as day care, respite care, and homemaking, needed to support and stabilize the family, usually to allow the single parent to hold employment.
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by client
Restrictions: Personal data restricted by statutory provision MGLA c 4, s 7, d 26(c) and c 66A. For conditions of access consult repository
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Scope and Content: Social correspondence of Oliver Ames (lieutenant governor of Massachusetts 1883-1887; governor, 1883-1890) and his wife Anna (Ray) Ames includes letters to them (often answering invitations to social events), postcards, invitations, calling cards, genealogical charts, news clippings, and a tintype family portrait.
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Scope and Content: Since 1971 the Executive Office of Human Services (Executive Office of Health and Human Services since 1992) has been responsible through its constitutent agencies for the delivery of a wide range of services to persons with financial, health, social, protective, rehabilitation, and correctional needs. Its role is one of management and fiscal oversight, coordination of interagency planning and program development, and policy analysis.  Series was created by the office’s social policy unit to oversee departments and establish policy.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Restrictions: Personal information restricted by statutory provision MGLA c 4, s 7, d 26(c), c 66A. For conditions of access consult repository
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Scope and Content: Since 1971 the Executive Office of Human Services (Executive Office of Health and Human Services since 1992) has been responsible through its constitutent agencies for the delivery of a wide range of services to persons with financial, health, social, protective, rehabilitation, and correctional needs. Its role is one of management and fiscal oversight, coordination of interagency planning and program development, and policy analysis.  Series was created by the office’s social policy unit to oversee departments and establish policy.
Restrictions: Personal/personal medical/evaluative information restricted by statutory provision MGLA c 4, s 7, d 26(c), c 66A. For conditions of access consult repository
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Scope and Content: The Psychopathic Dept. of Boston State Hospital was established in 1912.  It became Boston Psychopathic Hospital in 1920; that was renamed Massachusetts Mental Health Center in 1956.
Arrangement: Arranged by outpatient registration no
Restrictions: Mental health client information restricted by statutory provision MGLA c 123, s 36. For conditions of access consult repository
Notes: Transferred to Archives from Newberry Library, Chicago, Aug. 31, 2005. Case file numbering system changed in 1943; files active at that time were renumbered
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Scope and Content: The Speaker presides over House sessions, chairs the House Committee on Rules, and nominates the chair and majority party members of the other House standing committees.  Speaker’s administrative files are created to enable performance of these functions from an administrative aspect.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by term, thereunder by subject
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