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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Exempt Firemen’s Benevolent Association of Queens County Records
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Exempt Firemen's Benevolent Association of Queens County | |
| Title | Exempt Firemen’s Benevolent Association of Queens County Records, | |
| Dates: | 1926-1946 | |
| Abstract: | The records in this collection are extremely fragmentary, and are probably those which were in the personal possession at one time of John J. McConnell of Flushing who at various times was the president of the State Association, or financial secretary. They consist of the following. | |
| Extent: | 1 box, .2 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | E-2 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
Before the days of paid fire departments in New York City (in Queens County such departments probably did not come into existence until about 1920), volunteers did much of the duty, especially in such relatively suburban areas as Queens County. These volunteers were grouped together by the community which they served -Flushing, Long Island City, Newtown etc. Most if not all of these units also were part of larger county or state wide groups in order, for example, to better engage in benevolent activity among their members, especially as the latter grew older and retired, and became "Veterans”. Incidentally, the word "Exempt" probably was used to indicate the fact that the firemen, active as well as veteran, were "exempt from jury and military duty, and (enjoyed) protection in civil service posts,” Long Island Daily Press, August 5, 1939. The "Exempt" was probably sometimes used synonymously with “Veterans”.
The Exempt Firemen Benevolent Association was probably active from the 1920’s to the 1950’s but this is not known for sure. Essentially, its purpose was to administer a fund "for indigent veterans, their widows and children (and to carryon) an extensive program (and to provide) funeral expenses where necessary,” Long Island Daily Press, August 5, 1939.
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Scope and Content Note
The records in this collection are extremely fragmentary, and are probably those which were in the personal possession at one time of John J. McConnell of Flushing who at various times was the president of the State Association, or financial secretary. They consist of the following.
Notices of Deaths of Members – These notices (for the most part standard printed forms, but occasionally a post card or letter) addressed to Mr. McConnel as Secretary of the Exempt Firemen’s Benevolent Fund, simply list the name of the deceased, and information as to the length of service in the company involved. The vast majority of these notices are for men who served in the community of Newtown. There are, nevertheless, notices of deaths of men who served in College Point, Woodhaven, Long Island City, and one or two other communities. These 75 items are dated 1944-1947. A few miscellaneous listings also included.
Financial Documents – Several miscellaneous check stubs, a receipts for post office boxes; and some receipts for bank safe boxes rentals, dated ca 1926-1933, 15 items.
1939 Convention – In 1939 the New York State Volunteer Firemen's Association held their convention in New York City which at that time was witnessing the famous World's Fair of 1939-1940. This was their 67th convention. This file consists of about half a dozen clippings concerning the Association's meeting; two blank entries for a parade, presumably to be used by those fire companies wishing to participate; copies of two or three letters showing efforts of the State Firemen to have a suitable monument erected on the Fair grounds; copy of a speech or article titled "A Fitting Tribute to the Exempt Volunteer Firemen"; and a convention notice addressed to the ladies' Auxiliary.
Constitutions and By-Laws – Small printed booklets containing the constitution and/or By-Laws of ten volunteer firemen Associations in the Queens area (2 pertain to the ladies auxiliary Nassau County and Southern New York generally.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Exempt Firemen’s Benevolent Association of Queens County Records, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Places:
- Queens (New York, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
