Genealogy Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Boards

Quick Search

Single word search

Tools

Findmypast DNA Banner

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

London Mental Hospital Dartford Kent UPDATED

Login to Add Reply Watch This
ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Brit

Brit Report 20 Jul 2006 17:54

Rachel and Irene Thanks for your replies. If you would like the website for the information I found on records for lunatic (what an awful word) asylums pm me as it is very long. Regards Maggie

Rachel

Rachel Report 20 Jul 2006 17:38

Hi Maggie I think the best thing to do would be to contact the records office by phone or by email asking for their advice. From the replies on my thread, it looks like this 100 year rule is used by some health authorities but not all. I telephoned the health authority in charge of Hellingly Hospital's records and they have told me that all they have is a ledger with the patient's basic details in it such as their address and diagnosis. The actual medical notes were destroyed some time ago. I'm expecting a phone call tomorrow to find out if I can be given these basic details, as I hope that just the diagnosis will answer my question to know why he was there. I'll post a message on my thread when I know the outcome!

Irene

Irene Report 20 Jul 2006 17:36

The District Darenth Asylum, Dartford, Kent. I wrote to Kent and Medway NHS hoping to get some information on my ancesters only to receivce a reply saying that the records are only kept for 20 years after the death of the patient. I have been told that some of the records may be kept by the local family records office of the district that placed the patient in the Asylum. I checked with Tower Hamlets Records Office and they had no details. Good Luck, Irene

Brit

Brit Report 20 Jul 2006 17:18

I don't want to hijack anyone's thread but the recent postings on mental hospitals has kept me intrigued for hours, I looked up the suggested sites and there is so much information and so many links. I found the City of London Mental Hospital in Dartford Kent and it says the City of London Records office have almost all the records from this place. The Hospital is due to be turned into luxury apartments (??? and how many sad ghosts will be walking there do you think?) soon. My question: how do I contact the records office as I think I may have found a relative on the 1901 census who was there? And is the information available to the public or would the 100 year law be in effect, does anyone know? Thanks for any help. Maggie I HAVE JUST FOUND (BY GOOGLING, WHAT ELSE?) INFORMATION ON THIS QUESTION. FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN AT LEAST THIS PARTICULAR ASYLUM I HAVE FOUND THAT THE RECORDS ARE HELD BY THE CORP. OF LONDON RECORDS OFFICE BUT ARE SEALED FOR THE REQUISITE 100YEARS. YOU CAN WRITE TO THE TRUST ADMINISTRATOR AND ASK FOR AN EXCEPTION AND IF THEY APPROVE AND SEND YOU A LETTER OF PERMISSION YOU MUST SEND IT AND A LETTER OF REQUEST TO THE RECORDS OFFICE. OTHERWISE THEY WILL NOT RELEASE THE INFORMATION. YOU ARE ONLY GIVEN BRIEF FACTUAL, NON-CLINICAL , INFORMATION EVEN SO. I AM OFF TO WRITE MY LETTERS NOW!