Scope and Content: The State Reform School was founded in 1847 and opened in 1848 at Westborough for the instruction, discipline, employment, and reform of male juvenile offenders in Massachusetts.  It was renamed the Lyman School for Boys in 1884 and closed in 1972.  Case histories gathered background information on each inmate upon commitment and recorded stay at the school.
Arrangement: Arranged by case. no./chronologically
Notes: Deposited in the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe College, May 7, 1976.  Transferred to Archives, November 11, 1982. Series incomplete.  Includes case no. 1330-6844, 7120-9787 (Oct. 1865-July 1896, June 1898-Dec. 1911). Vols. numbered 5-23, 25-49. For later admissions see: Client case files, 1901-1964 (bulk 1901-1941) ((M-Ar)884X)
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Scope and Content: The Nautical Branch of the State Reform School, known as the Massachusetts Nautical School from 1867, was authorized in 1859 and in operation in Boston and later New Bedford between 1860 and 1872. Delinquent boys were instructed in seamanship and navigation, and if successful, transferred to outside shipping.  Case histories document students’ background, stay at, and discharge from the institution.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Deposited in the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe College, May 7, 1976.  Transferred to Archives, November 11, 1982. Spine title: Register of Mass. State Nautical School. Volume 1: 1861-1865 (no. 1-746). Volume 2: 1865-1870 (no. 747-1350)
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Scope and Content: The Nautical Branch of the State Reform School, known as the Massachusetts Nautical School from 1867, was authorized in 1859 and in operation in Boston and later New Bedford between 1860 and 1872. Delinquent boys were instructed in seamanship and navigation, and if successful, transferred to outside shipping.  Case histories document students’ background, stay at, and discharge from the institution, for those berthed on the ship George M. Barnard, acquired in 1866.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Deposited in the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe College, May 7, 1976.  Transferred to Archives, November 11, 1982. Spine title: Register school ship Geo. M. Bernard. Volume 1: 1864-1869 (no. 1-806). Volume 2: 1869-1872 (no. 807-1150)
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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 by inmate case no./chronologically
Notes: Deposited in the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe College, May 7, 1976.  Transferred to Archives November 11, 1982. Series incomplete: Vols. lettered A-B, D-O (i.e., Aug. 1856-Apr. 1866, July 1870-May 1908)
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Scope and Content: The State Board of Charity had jurisdiction over the settlement or non-settlement of the state poor under the control of the institutions supervised by the board or by the State Board of Insanity, and administration of the laws of settlement relating to the support of the state’s sane poor by cities and towns (St 1898, c 433). Series consists of Office of Transportation accounts of paupers who received state-financed transportation back to their place of origin (most domestic, some foreign). Brief description of person’s circumstances includes date sent, name, age, family and other contacts, fee paid. Some requests for transportation were made by charities or embassies.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
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Scope and Content: The Board of State Charities and its successors from 1863 onward oversaw the Massachusetts state immigration and pauper relief functions, as well as the state’s charitable and correctional institutions. In 1866 the board appointed a visiting agent, under its secretary, to track and visit state wards sent out to indenture. The Visiting Agency was made a separate department within the board  in 1869 to investigate applicants wanting to adopt or indenture children, approve placements, conduct visits of children that were adopted, indentured, or otherwise placed out, and provide ongoing follow-up.
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Scope and Content: The State Primary School, opened at the State Almshouse at Monson in 1866 and continuing after the almshouse’s closing in 1872 until 1895, provided lodging, instruction, and employment for dependent and neglected children under age sixteen without settlement in the Commonwealth and some juvenile offenders.  The institution managed an annual budget to sustain operations.  Attendant financial records include a cash journal to record expenses as paid for goods, services, and salaries.
Arrangement: Arranged  chronologically
Notes: Contents:  Sept. 1887-Apr. 1892.  Apr. 1892-Aug. 1895
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Scope and Content: The State Lunatic Hospital at Danvers, established in 1877, opened in 1878 as Danvers Lunatic Hospital. It was renamed Danvers Insane Hospital in 1898 and Danvers State Hospital in 1909. It was closed in 1992.
Notes: Vols. A (1878-1884) and C (1898-1902) only
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Scope and Content: The State Almshouse at Tewksbury opened in 1854.  It was renamed successively the State Hospital (1900), the State Infirmary (1909), Tewksbury State Hospital and Infirmary (1939), and Tewksbury Hospital (1959)
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Spine title: Cash. Records for 1890-1891, 1905-1910 partly or entirely lacking
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