Index to Register of Deaths Town of Oyster Bay Compiled by Town Historian John E. Hammond When Theodore Roosevelt died in 1919 his death was duly recorded by Oyster Bay Town Clerk Charles Weeks. Roosevelt was buried in Youngs Memorial Cemetery on January 8, 1919. RICHARD LaMARCA JOHN E. HAMMOND Town Clerk Town Historian A Message from Town Clerk RICHARD LaMARCA Dear Genealogy Enthusiast, Death certificates are filled with useful information for anyone compiling a family genealogy. While most states started requiring death certificates around the turn of the last century, the Town of Oyster Bay has records dating back to 1881. This booklet now does a lot of the work for you by listing those death certificates filed in the Town of Oyster Bay between the years 1881 to 1920. If you have been working on your family’s genealogy for a while, you are probably familiar with these little treasure troves. However, if you’re just starting out, you may not be aware of the valuable data they contain. Gener-ally speaking, the Towns’ death certificates include the name of the deceased, the deceased’s date and place of birth, the cause of death, the deceased’s place of burial, the names and birth places of both parents (a death certificate is a great resources for maiden names), and the name of the doctor. Just a word of caution: These are not perfect documents. Usually, the infor-mation was supplied by a relative, also known as the “informant.” This means the information was correct if the person knew it or could recall it under rather emotional circumstances. Also, in some cases, the cause of death may not be precise. Most people died at home, and there were no medical exam-iners to determine the exact cause of death. Also, the tools that allow today’s doctors to make detailed diagnoses simply did not exist. These few issues aside, most of the information on the death certificates is accurate or close enough to provide a good clue or two. If you have an ancestor you believe died in the Town of Oyster Bay, contact my office at 624-6333 to find out how to obtain a death record. Very truly yours, RICHARD LaMARCA Town Clerk Index to Register of Deaths-Town of Oyster Bay (1881-1920) Compiled by John E. Hammond, Town Historian In the field of genealogical research there are no more important documents than Birth, Marriage and Death records. These are considered primary sources and are invaluable to researchers. The importance of vital records was recognized by the New York State Legislature when it put into effect in 1880 a standardized method for the recording of Birth, Marriage and Death records. Dr. Elisha Harris, Secretary of the State Board of Health, wrote in 1881 that “These records are of vital interest to families and the rights and personal history of individuals, and they will continue to be referred to and used for important purposes through many generations or for centuries”. The actual keeping of the records in Oyster Bay began in July 1881 with the first entries by Town Clerk John N. Remsen. These records continue to be kept to this day. The 1881 Death Records as recorded in the Oyster Bay Town Clerk’s office contain the following types of information: Name of Deceased, Age (at time of death), Marital status, Race, Occupation, Birthplace, How long a resident, Father’s name and birthplace, Mother’s name and birthplace, Place of Death, Cause of death, Medical attendant, and Place of burial. In his instructions to the keepers of the records Dr. Harris added that “Every letter, line and leaf should be perfect”. Despite these instructions and the diligence of those early record keepers the records weren’t perfect and significant information was missing. Often times the maiden name of the mother was not known, and in the case of the many drownings no identity of any kind was made. Spellings of names were the most problematical particularly as waves of immigration began in the 1890s. Many of these new immigrants were illiterate and couldn’t review what had been recorded as their name. The Town Clerk’s were also handicapped with an unfamiliarity with the spellings of names that were totally new to them. For the above mentioned reasons users of this guide must be creative in searching the index for the names of ancestors. Researchers should first look under the expected spelling but then under what the name might have sounded like to someone who had the task of recording the name only from hearing it. This Index to the Register of Death was prepared to assist genealogy researchers and has 9,421 entries covering the period from July 1, 1881 through December 31, 1919. Entries are listed by surname, given name, middle initial and date of death. All entries are recorded as they appear in the Register of Death with no attempt made at correcting any spelling. After some names there is a (S) that identifies a stillborn child. In other cases there is a (I) that identifies an infant who lived only a few hours or a few days. Three individuals reached the age of 100 years and they are identified thusly (100). Uncertified abstracts from the Register of Death can be obtained from the Office of the Oyster Bay Town Clerk. New York State Department of Health form DOH-1562 “General Information and Application For Genealogical Services” can be downloaded from the Town of Oyster Bay Web Site. Requests for abstracts must be submitted in writing by mail and must include the payment of the applicable statutory fee. Ordering Instructions Uncertified copies or abstracts from records of death can be provided for genealogical purposes. All uncertified copies and abstracts issued for genealogical purposes will be clearly marked with the statement “For Genealogical Purposes Only”. All requests must be submitted in writing and include payment of the applicable statutory fee. To order a record of death from this index complete form DOH-1562. Mail completed form and payment of $22 per record to: Oyster Bay Town Clerk 54 Audrey Avenue Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Payment must be by Money Order made payable to Oyster Bay Town Clerk, Personal Checks are not acceptable. Abassio, Madalena 5/27/1910 Albertson, Malvina 10/20/1901 Abate, Minnie 5/20/1914 Albertson, Malvinia 10/23/1908 Abbondondola, Cotilda 8/20/1914 Albertson, Phebe W. 6/8/1902 Abbott, Daniel 3/28/1890 Albertson, Susan 12/11/1910 Abbott, Francis 5/23/1892 Albertson, Townsend 1/26/1894 Abeel, Edward 6/18/1913 Albin, Anna L. (I) 10/10/1888 Abeel, Robley E. 9/11/1916 Albin, Eleanor 4/14/1891 Abeles, Joseph (I) 6/27/1886 Albin, Sarah L. 12/2/1896 Abercrombie, Lavinia C. 5/06/1919 Albin, William 7/24/1891 Abramaski, John 11/4/1909 Albrecht, Emil 12/21/1916 Abrams, Cara B. 7/31/1892 Albro, Florence L. 1/13/1917 Abrams, Ella W. 3/9/1897 Alcheski, Stephen (I) 3/20/1910 Abrams, Ezekiel 7/14/1914 Alcott, Bridget 9/30/1912 Abrams, George H. 9/16/1894 Alcott, Patrick 11/14/1907 Abrams, Georgina B. 12/7/1894 Aldock, John 9/18/1901 Abrams, Henry (I) 7/15/1896 Aleoski, Gladys 8/14/1911 Abrams, Jacob 2/1/1901 Alfono, Louise 9/01/1919 Abrams, Josephine 8/4/1917 Alger, John F. 12/5/1910 Abrams, Louise 1/13/1911 Algiero, Josephine 4/26/1909 Abrams, Mary E. 5/8/1890 Alieskey, Charles T. 9/20/1917 Abrams, Sarah A. 10/23/1883 Alkoska, Victoria 5/14/1913 Abrams, Wm. 6/11/1898 Allatt, George H. 4/20/1918 Abramson (S) 11/11/1918 Alldock, Mary (I) 9/17/1903 Abronsky, Joaneria 6/12/1916 Allen, Agnes 8/25/1882 Acker, Mary A. 1/1/1894 Allen, Anna 3/17/1918 Ackerly, Amery F. 10/31/1911 Allen, Bessie 8/26/1888 Ackerly, Ruth A. 6/23/1901 Allen, Clifford N. 10/31/1899 Ackerman, Otto (I) 7/4/1894 Allen, David C. 7/14/1891 Ackers, Thomas 12/8/1898 Allen, Deborah 2/1/1903 Adams, Laura 11/2/1885 Allen, Elizabeth 8/14/1882 Adams, Mary F. 8/30/1891 Allen, Elizabeth 2/6/1886 Adams, William G. 8/11/1916 Allen, Elizabeth 2/18/1919 Addazio, John 10/24/1918 Allen, Ellen 8/5/1891 Afenlock, Cyril J. 3/10/1910 Allen, Eunice 9/12/1884 Agnew, Samuel 9/8/1881 Allen, George T. 4/15/1892 Ahearn, John 10/12/1895 Allen, Hilda C. 7/2/1904 Ahern, William H. 10/18/1907 Allen, Jane 4/24/1887 Ahns, Alfred 4/14/1903 Allen, Maria 1/12/1895 Aitchison, Robert E. (I) 12/1/1899 Allen, Mary 8/20/1882 Aitkenhead, Helen M. 9/7/1913 Allen, Mary P. 11/29/1904 Akers, Harriet G. 4/7/1908 Allen, Morton 6/17/1885 Albandandato, Cordelia 8/11/1915 Allen, William 1/3/1908 Albert, Frank 12/12/1918 Allen, William H. 6/2/1898 Albertson, Edward 3/28/1883 Alleson, Sarah E. (I) 12/4/1914 Albertson, Edward 11/21/1901 Alley, Clara 3/26/1893 Albertson, Hannah 6/29/1912 Allgaier, Mary C. (I) 3/31/1904 Allsop, Jacob 9/29/1883 Arbilla, Angello 4/19/1919 Alm, Augusta C. 1/20/1906 Archer, Jack D. (S) 5/31/1916 Alsop, Ann 1/25/1905 Archer, Rachel 12/5/1902 Alsop, Benjamin 8/3/1898 Archey, Eliza 7/11/1909 Alsop, Matilda 5/1/1896 Areson (I) 12/27/1903 Altmuller, George 10/13/1885 Areson, Benjamin 11/16/1893 Amaryee, Mary A.