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Lunatic Asylums - Patients Records

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Richard

Richard Report 4 Feb 2007 16:48

Does anybody have any experience in researching patients records for Lunatic Asylums. I have two brothers both in Lunatic Asylums in 1841, where they both died soon after. Wondering now if these institutions kept records on their patients, how detailed they were, and if so how to go about accessing them. Any help much appreciated.

Ed

Ed Report 4 Feb 2007 17:02

try http://www.mdx.ac.uk/www/study/4_13_TA.htm

Horatia

Horatia Report 4 Feb 2007 17:20

Yes, I've got such records, Once you've indentified the asylum they were in, you need to contact the county record office and ask if the records have survived. They are worth getting if you can - some of the records I obtained had photos! Cheers, Horatia

Ann

Ann Report 4 Feb 2007 22:28

You could also try: http://www.institutions.org.uk

Matchless

Matchless Report 8 Feb 2007 20:16

I understand that my Grandmother was put in an asylum in 1936, (whether that was due to an illegitimate birth in those days we have no way of knowing). How would I find out which asylum it was or what happened to her? Not familiar with SE London, so how do you find out? New to this and sorry to ask... Regards Julie

Richard

Richard Report 17 Feb 2007 10:53

Thank you for everyone who replied to this. Horatia I have contacted the relevent county records offices and am hoping I will be as lucky as you. I'd be happy enough just to know why they were commited. Both were fine until about 50 then commited and died shortly after. One was described as having 'palsy' but to be honest in those days that could have meant a number of things. So to have that cleared up would be in itself great, if they do happen to have photographs that would be the icing on the cake. Lets hope eh..

Horatia

Horatia Report 17 Feb 2007 11:12

Julie, This website will help you identify which asylum your grandmother was in. You then need to contact the county record office and ask them to see if her name features in the records. You will need to give them as much information as possible and there may possibly be a research charge. http://www.mdx.ac.uk/WWW/STUDY/4_13_TA.htm If the asylum was in the London area then the London Metropolitan Archives would be the relevant record office to contact. Good luck. Cheers, Horatia