Who is And Where is Lillian Davis?
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| Photo courtesy: Asylum Projects: KPPC Aerial 2009 03.jpg-Asylum Projects Asylum Project |
What is known about Lillian "Lillie" Davis is that she was born about 1874 or 75 in Greenport, Suffolk, New York. She is documented on the Census of 1880 as living with her mother Louisa Davis, her grandparents Sam'l R and Phoebe Jackson, her 1/2 sisters Hattie and Mary J. Warner and her brother Sam'l Davis. Lillie is 6 years old.
The family is seen in Connecticut in 1893 Connecticut Directory 1893. Her mother, brother, sister and grandmother along with various grandchildren of Louisa (her mother) and various nieces and nephews are all seen together. But where is Lillian?
While searching for her it is surprising to learn that she is not found. However there is a Lillian Davis on the census of Smithtown, Suffolk New York in Kings Park State Hospital. Kings Park State Hospital, operational from 1885 to 1996, was a significant psychiatric facility in New York. After its closure, many records were transferred to the New York State Archives and the Office of Mental Health (OMH).
After researching census, birth, death and marriage records via Ancestry's card catalog and Family Search's wiki as well as various genealogy society sites and town vital records the only Lillian Davis that is consistent lives at Kings Park State Hospital from the time she is 11 years old until she dies at 70. Research is a precarious thing really. Does her age and place match because I want it too? There is one precarious thing and that is that the census sheets from 1920 and 1930 indicate she is married...What! if she is married this probably is not her even though I want it to be. I am reaching out to vital records for her death certificate and using Chatgpt as next steps in research. I will continue research to verify if she IS or IS NOT my Lillie.
As a side note: it is interesting that her family line does have a history of mental heath issues. Her uncle, Louisa's brother, is seen on census sheets as "idiotic". There are other known mental health issues in the more recent family which won't be mentioned here based on family members privacy. In any event there are at least 2 family members known to me to have mental health issues in her descendant line.
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| Potters Field Cemetery, Also known as Kings Park Psychiatric Center Cementey, Kings Park State Hospital Cemetery, courtesy of Find A Grave.com |
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Next steps plan with the assistance of Chatgpt
Kings Park State Hospital, operational from 1885 to 1996, was a significant psychiatric facility in New York. After its closure, many records were transferred to the New York State Archives and the Office of Mental Health (OMH).
New York State Archives: They house the Office of Mental Health patient admission, discharge, and parole registers (Series 20279), which include records from Kings Park State Hospital. These registers typically contain patient names, admission and discharge dates, nativity, date of birth, race, religion, and occasionally details like occupation and relatives' names.
Access Restrictions: Due to New York State Mental Hygiene Law Section 33.13, access to individual patient records is restricted to protect confidentiality. However, if you are a direct descendant, you can request access by providing proof of relationship and the patient's death certificate. It's advisable to contact the New York State Archives directly to inquire about the specific procedures and requirements
Patients who died at Kings Park State Hospital were often buried in the hospital's cemeteries, notably the Potters Field Cemetery and the Indian Head Road Cemetery
Find a Grave: The Potters Field Cemetery is listed on Find a Grave, where volunteers have documented some burials. While not comprehensive, it's a useful starting point.
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center: After Kings Park's closure, Pilgrim Psychiatric Center became the custodian of its records. By contacting their Health Information Management Unit and providing proof of your relationship, they may assist in locating burial records or grave sites
A death certificate can provide crucial information, including the cause of death and burial location.
New York State Department of Health: They maintain death records from 1881 onwards (excluding New York City). You can request a death certificate by proving your relationship to the deceased. More information is available on their official site.
Town of Smithtown Clerk's Office: Since Kings Park is within Smithtown, the town clerk may have death records for individuals who died at the hospital. Some researchers have successfully obtained records through this office.
Census Records: The 1920, 1930, and 1940 U.S. Federal Censuses may list patients at Kings Park State Hospital.These records can be accessed for free at Family Search or through subscription services like Ancestry.com.
New York State Genealogical Research Death Index: This index provides death information from 1957 to 1969 and can be a helpful resource.
New York State Archives:
Website: https://www.archives.nysed.gov
Email: archinfo@nysed.gov
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center:
Health Information Management Unit
Address: 998 Crooked Hill Road, West Brentwood, NY 11717-1087
Phone: (631) 761-3500
Town of Smithtown Clerk's Office: (Death Certificate ordered 5/1/2025)
Phone: (631) 360-7620
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