Genealogy Chat

Yesterday, Glitter Baby found a rellie for me in and Asylum. We're certain it's the right person. Are there ways of finding out more information about inmates of such a place? Also struggling to find a death for this person. Would deaths be registered in the normal way if they lived in an asylum? His name was James Clarke and was noted as J C in Derby Asylum in 1901 census, born Codnor Derbyshire and was a Railway Clerk. Any information would be helpful I'm sure. Thanks

I dont know about the medical records, but i know for def that their death would have been registered. I have one from 1912 so you should be able to find one

Thanks for that Robyne

Records would have been kept. Might be in the county records office or possibly with the relevant local health authority if the asylum is still going. All deaths would be registered in the normal way though its more likely that a member of staff of the asylum would be the informant rather than a relative and the age and other details may be slightly inaccurate (or more inaccurate than if a relative did it, lol!) nell

If you google you can find pictures of the asylum. www.institutions.org.uk/pictures/asylums/derby_asylum.htm You could also contact Derbyshire Record Office, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG. 01629 585347 (Record Office Search Room) 01629 580000 ext 59202 (General Office) 01629 580000 ext 59207 (Duty Archivist) Fax: 01629 57611

Thanks Nell, I did google yesterday and saw the pictures, but perhaps think that the information I need with be at the Records Office in Matlock. The place did exist as a kind of mental ill health institute until fairly recently....a friend of mine resided there for a while. Thanks again

Middlesex University have an excellent and comprehensive site on Asylums. http://www.mdx.ac.uk/www/study/4_13_TA.htm You'll need to identify if it was Derbyshire County Asylum or Derby Borough Asylum. Derbyshire County Asylum Opened 21.8.1851 with 300 beds in 12 wards and had patients coming from all over Derbyshire to be treated. 1851 to 1893 registers and case books in Derbyshire Records Office. Became Pastures Hospital, Mickleover, Derbyshire, now closed. The building has now been turned into expensive accommodation units. Derby Borough Asylum Kingsway Hospital, Kingsway, Derbyshire, DE22 3LZ (formerly Derby Borough Asylum), Mickleover: records 1888 - 20th cent (D5874) (national archive)

Hi Mandy My greatgrand Father was in Cane Hill Asylum, ( outside of Croydon) and his medical records will not be given to us for 100years after the date of death-- in our case Dec: this year, and then we will not get then all, such as who sectioned him, and any info: that is not pertaining to the family will not be given. Anyone that died in Cane Hill was buried within the grounds. Sheila

Thanks Paul and Sheila for your help and advice...I think I'll have to get in touch with the records office in the first instance to make a step forward. Thanks again Mandy