New York, U.S., Hebrew Burial Records (HFBA), Silver Lake and Mount Richmond Cemeteries, 1899-1991

This database contains indexed images of burial registers from the Hebrew Free Burial Association (HFBA) for Silver Lake Cemetery (1899–1909) and Mount Richmond Cemetery (1909–1991), both located on Staten Island.

The HFBA traces its beginnings to the 1880s on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where the society was established to provide free burials for impoverished Jews. The HFBA purchased land for Silver Lake Cemetery in 1892. Mount Richmond was opened in 1909, after Silver Lake was filled. HFBA expanded its reach to serve all of New York City as need grew, and over its history, the society has provided burials for many young children, 22 victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, veterans, immigrants, and inmates from New York’s prisons.

Along with name and burial date, records may provide age, last residence, birthplace or nationality, and grave location. Entries are grouped by men, women, and children, and the society apparently used ledgers originally designed for other purposes, so column headings printed on the pages do not necessarily apply to the information recorded.