Meaning of the abbreviation "RCH" on a death record in the state of NY, USA?

Judy Porter_1

While trying to determine the date of death and reason for my deceased uncle's passing as a child, I came across a possible record that I don't understand. The place of death reads as follows: Rch, New York, United States.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

MarvinG

@Judy Porter_1 Looking at the document you provided we do see that there are other individuals who also have RCH listed for their death place. That would indicate that RCH is a city along with the other cities that are listed.

dontiknowyou

I have done a lot of work on families in the former Richmond County, NY, easily hundreds of persons, and never came across "RCH" in connection with them.

This historical record is a New York statewide index, in which the abbreviation Rch. is without question Rochester, just as Alb. is Albany and Buf. is Buffalo. The death places are cities, towns, or villages; not counties. The city names are abbreviated.

This record is for another Arthur Porter, who died in Rochester the year after this young child did not appear in the census of his family in the Bronx borough, NYC. It is remotely possible that they are the same person; as a test, try to make a page for the Arthur Porter in Rochester.

tl;dr Rch is Rochester and this record in all likelihood does not relate to LBKT-H8Z.

Áine Ní Donnghaile

Do you know where he was living - what city/county and what year?

Richmond is a county in New York - Staten Island. Before the consolidation of NYC, those records were NYS records.

There is also Rockville Centre.

dontiknowyou

In NY state records the abbreviation RCH usually means Rochester.

We could give a more definitive answer if you would share the PID in question.

Judy Porter_1

My uncle lived in the Bronx, NY during his childhood. I'm trying to confirm if the meaning might be "Registered Care Home" as he was only about 4 or 5 when he died.

What is PID?

"New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGF2-XY3P : 19 October 2019), Arthur Porter, 1926.

Thanks so much to you both for your feedback.

Judy

Áine Ní Donnghaile

PID is the person id for an individual in the FamilySearch tree. If Arthur Porter, son of Jacob and Sarah, is your uncle, then his PID is LBKT-H8Z.

https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/familysearch-person-id-numbers/

On Ancestry, the code has been converted to the place Rochester. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/25665648?h=bdddf2&utm_campaign=bandido-webparts&utm_source=post-share-modal&utm_medium=copy-url

dontiknowyou

On Ancestry, the code has been converted to the place Rochester.

Well, given the limited sources now attached to the family, Rochester would be unlikely.

Judy Porter_1

Thank you both for your time and experience. It's greatly appreciated.

Judy

Áine Ní Donnghaile

@Judy Porter_1 What do you know about Arthur that is not attached to his PID? With some extra details, we may be able to assist more.

I agree with @dontiknowyou that Rochester seems unlikely, with the 1925 Bronx census. I did see the index of the death record for sister Rachel. Deaths up to 1948 in NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island/Richmond, Queens) are available free through the lookup service. I did not find an Arthur in that series. New Library Lookup Service at the Family History Library • FamilySearch

Colin Ramsbottom

For help with research for New York State, you may also wish to use the Community Group about that location:

https://community.familysearch.org/en/group/135-new-york

Judy Porter_1

Thanks for group info, Colin! I just joined.

To Don'tIknow and Aine, my Uncle Arthur's PID is LBKT-H8Z. I've used Ancestry.com and MyHeritage to search for any records on him. I'm likely at a dead end since he was so young when he died. The only solid reference I have is from the NY State Census 1925. No birth certificate (though not a surprise there). Just surprised I haven't been able to find either a death certificate or burial info. He might be listed as Boy Porter somewhere.

I appreciate all the feedback provided and the time you've spent helping.

Judy

Áine Ní Donnghaile

Birth certificates past 1909 are not extracted on FamilySearch. New York City records (the 5 boroughs) are held separately from those of New York State.

I noticed on the extract of the death certificate for Rachel that she is buried at Mount Hebron. Have you tried contacting the cemetery to learn if they have a burial record for Arthur? https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WGH-19G

Judy Porter_1

Aine....I have searched Mt. Hebron's online system, however, nothing turned up. I hadn't thought about calling them since they'd likely refer me to their online search. I'll consider doing that.

Thanks for another suggestion!

Áine Ní Donnghaile

Many cemeteries have info that is not yet online. I make telephone calls to cemeteries every week. Good luck!

Marie4familysearch

https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/New_York%2C_United_States_Genealogy

https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Staten_Island_Borough%2C_New_York_Genealogy

The Research Wiki is a valuable resource to unlock questions such as abbreviations.

Judy Porter_1

Thanks all for your feedback! You've definitely expanded my awareness on genealogical records with your individual knowledge.

dontiknowyou

I cannot overstate the value of the FamilySearch research wiki. It distills vast amounts of genealogical expertise.