Genealogy Chat

I'm looking for Phillis Tassell or Ann Tassell born 1809 in Chatham, Kent (same person) she died 29 JAN 1893 at Barming Asylum, Maidstone, Kent, England. I would like to know if she was there in 1891 and possibly why...? So if anyone could look her up in 1891 census please. Many thanks, Fern -x-.

1891 Census doesnt show any Phillis or similar. in a search for people 65-85 years of age Mary age 84 living Gillingham born Luton, Kent Mary A age 78 with daughter Catherine age 35 living Cobdown, London Road. Annie 65 b Maidstone Ann 68 born Litlington, Cambs.

Hi Fern It looks as if she was there in 1881 as well! Name: Phylis Tassell Age: 68 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1813 Relation: Inmate of Asylum Gender: Female Where Born: Frindsbury, Kent, England Civil parish: Maidstone County/Island: Kent Country: England Street address: 'Kent County Asylum Barming Heath Maidstone' Condition as to marriage: Married Education: Employment status: View image Occupation: Agricultural Labr Registration district: Maidstone Sub registration district: West Maidstone ED, institution, or vessel: Kent County Asylum

This was no cottage hospital - if you look again at the 1881 there were hundreds of inmates and several doctors and many assistants - cooks etc., Difficult to trace much on this particular institution opened in 1833 and by 1844 249 patients, but at some stage from 1881 maybe 1890 onward it was converted to Oakwood hospital and whether that meant taking over the previous patients or not it is difficult to tell but if yu want to know moire about the patients/inmates you will probably get answers from : Centre for Kentish Studies, County Hall, Maidstone. who hold the records. It is possible that inmates were moved to the asylum at Darford. I tried an address search on 1891 census but cant get a fix on this place at all.

Many thanks for all your help. Fern -x-.

1891 not sure if this is the same place Registration district: Maidstone Sub registration district: West Maidstone ED, institution, or vessel: Kent County Lunatic Asylum Source Citation: Class: RG12; Piece: 688; Folio 112; Page 4; GSU roll: 6095798 Unfortunatley the people are just listed by initials Maureen

JOE I'm absolutely disgusted with your description for the inmates of the hospital. How dare you use such a word to describe people's rellies. It may seem alright to you to describe people with mental health problems as 'crazies' but remember everyone in there belonged to someone. Jennie

Joe I realise what names inmates in mental hospitals were called in previous centuries but that is part of my point, we are in the 21 century and should not use such terms to describe them and I would have hoped everyone would have some sympathy for these unfortunates of that time and not call them by inappropriate names. I just found your post very flippant and uncaring seeing as someone had asked for help about a member of their family who was in one of these hospitals. I might be different from anyone else but I think we have a duty to respect our ancestors memory, whatever circumstances they found themselves. Read your second para again to see if you can understand what I mean. Jennie