Greetings!!

I currently am awaiting the death certificate of Antoine Muzzarelli, who I've heard was buried on Hart Island in latter 1908/early 1909. Muzzarelli was a a late 19th/early 20th century French professor who taught french language, culture and manner to the children of wealthy families in Manhattan. He also founded the Aliance Franco-American, which still operates today.

Just looking ahead, I've heard there was terrible vandalism in 1977 and that many records were destroyed. I'm wondering if this would include the records of Muzzarelli's time.

Also, I've sent an email to the Municipal Archives in Manhattan and I've received no response. Is this normal or do I need to find someone willing to make my request in person (I live in the West Coast)? I'm willing to pay for the search.

Ms Hunt, thank you for everything you've done for so many.

Greetings!

Thank you for your response.

I do have an update.

Just to give you a bit more background information, I wanted to let you know first why I thought he was buried on Hart. An associate of his, in an interview about 30 years later, reported Muzzarelli's body had not been claimed and he was buried in Potter's Field (then and now, Hart Island). So, based on that, I thought that was where he was buried.

I received an email from the Municipal Archives office on Thursday. It turns out Antoine Muzzarelli was not buried on Hart after all. His body was cremated at the US Crematory of Manhattan. I already have the records of his inquest and probate and the Municipal Archives are sending me his death certificate. The nice lady in the archives office who emailed me let me know the death certificate indicates he was cremated and where. When the death certificate arrives here, and I verify that's what it says, I plan to get in touch with Fresh Pond Columbarium to see if his ashes are there or if they have a record of where they went.

Thank you again for your attention and our find work on behalf of so many.

--Karen Kidd