Harrison County burial permits record book
Collection — Folder: S2392
Identifier: S2392
Scope and Contents
This collection includes the burial permits record book of health officer Henry Rupp of Webster Township, Harrison County, Indiana containing entries ranging from October 8, 1899 to February 29, 1904. Each page includes "Register of Death" and "Permit for Burial" forms filled out for deceased residents of Webster and Posey townships and a few from the townships of Harrison, Franklin and Boone. Besides the decedent's name and date of death, other required information included cause of death, name of medical attendant, place of burial, and the signature of the health officer or deputy.
Dates
- 1899-1904
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Historical Note
In 1899, the Indiana General Assemby amended the state's health law and made it illegal for "dead human bodies" to be buried, cremated, placed in vaults or otherwise disposed of until a burial permit was obtained from a health officer or deputy. No health officer could issue a burial permit until a death certificate was filled out and signed by the attending physician, health officer, coroner, or householder where the death occured. The penalty for burial without a permit was a fine of not less than ten dollars and no more than one hundred dollars, and the coroner of the county was required to disinter the body, hold an inquest, and report findings to the nearest health officer. The law made it possible for the Indiana State Board of Health to collect accurate mortality statistics for the state.
Sources:
Information found within collection.
Indiana State Board of Health. Nineteenth Annual Rep.ort of the State Board of Health of Indiana, 1900. Indianapolis, IN: Wm. B. Burford, 1901.
"Legalized Burials." Corydon Democrat (IN), October 4, 1899. https://newspaperarchive.com.
Sources:
Information found within collection.
Indiana State Board of Health. Nineteenth Annual Rep.ort of the State Board of Health of Indiana, 1900. Indianapolis, IN: Wm. B. Burford, 1901.
"Legalized Burials." Corydon Democrat (IN), October 4, 1899. https://newspaperarchive.com.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2022/08/03 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2022/08/03 by Laura Eliason.
- Title
- Harrison County burial permits record book
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
