Record Archive

On March 14, 2008, the New York City Department of Correction turned over copies of the Hart Island Burial Records from 1985 to October 2007. These records were requested through New York Freedom of Information Law. Please contact us for copies. Presently, adult burial records from October 15, 1985-April 29, 1988 are missing.

The Hart Island Project will begin to build a searchable database of these records upon receipt of the first 1300 pages. Please consider volunteering time or money toward this effort.

Anyone seeking to locate the records of those buried prior to 1985 should go to the Municipal Archives or contact Thomas C. McCarthy at the Correction History Archive for access to the oldest books.

Burial Records from 1872-1875

Most records between 1962 and 1985 are missing or unavailable. The Hart Island Project seeks to make records available to everyone and offers assistance to those who have difficulty visiting New York City. If your need assistance searching for records contact Melinda Hunt.

Going forward

The Hart Island Project seeks to partner with an institutional library or archive to create a permanent home for an estimated 500,000 burial records. As more information becomes available, this database will grow to include all existing burials from 1872 to present. It is unknown how many records still exist, since the burial records are not presently kept at one location.

Anyone with information, interest or resources to facilitate creating an archive should write: hartisland@aol.com

Official list of records available on microfilm