Genealogy Chat

Ok this isnt for you squemish ones but here goes. My Great Aunt died in the thirties after a long illness called encephalitis lethargica (think 'The Awakenings' with Robin williams) anyway I just so happened to ask in all innocence for her medical records and lo and behold didnt i get them! Including her post mortem records where it clearly states that her brain was removed and stored for research. I have asked the access to records officer if she has it (not personally - her Trust) and she doesnt, but doesnt know where it might be. Now if there is one of you out there who has any idea where i should start searching then I owe you a drink as I doubt even you all might find this one a bit tricky. I'm not too sentimental about this just morbid curiosity as to who's got her! Any ideas? Jen

yuk!

When and whereabouts was her brain removed and any idea who would be doing the research? I dread to think where this is leading....

double yuk You may find some poor old dear that's got it on her mantlepiece & invites you round to see it...... an offer you can't refuse.... Sarah :-)

ooh I'm sorry I dont want to upset anyone. all it says is 'kept in laboratory for research purposes after formalin injection' This was in Cheddleton Mental asylum Staffs. Perhaps youre right i should stop right here - this is maybe taking tracing the family tree at bit far! But --- i am really curious --- where did they store all these bits?

Jen, sorry to hijack the thread but where did you find the medical info from? I have one who had gangrene, then her leg amputated and would love to find out more... tom :-)

Thom, i think there are probably 2 ways. I asked the local records office to the hospital where she was admitted and they were on the ball and gave me the full name and address of the 'Access to records officer' at the Trust. Luckily her hospital still exists just with a different title and so all parties had access to each other. Apparently all Trusts have such an officer and providing you are NoK and have proof of ID (I had her death cert) then they are usually forthcoming. Although there is probably a date limit on them (ie died more than ***years ago) mine died in 1933 and had no offspring. I also am aware that the libraries have this info too. I'm glad its not just me thats curious! If your rel is from North Staffs I can give you the name and address Jen

You could contact the lab. But I am wondering if such organs removed for research purposes would be destroyed after the research? Plus, they may not be identified - ie it would be 'brain from male/female suffering from X disease' not 'Mrs Scroggins brain'! I can't believe I'm discussing this!

I cant believe I asked either!!! I know specimens are kept for a long time but youre probably right it wouldnt be named just identified as fmale etc etc. She developed encephalitis lethargica after the 'spanish' flu at the beginning of the 20th C now we know it was a strain of bird flu I'm just hoping history doesnt always repeat *** Yikes Thanks for all your replies Sleep Tight Jen

I would imagine that the brain had already been used for research purposes, and once used was then destroyed. I can't believe you managed to get these records - I'm so jealous. My grandmother died in hospital in 1931 and when I tried a few years ago to get any medical records (I only wanted them for her date of birth) I was told by the hospital, which still exists, that they didn't keep records that long. Luckily I managed to find my grandmother's birth at a later date, thanks to census records. Kath. x

Kathleen - dont give up if you still want them - they may exist its just that you might have asked the wrong person. Ask at the records office if they know of any archived records for the hospital she was in - then ask for the details of the access to records officer and Bingo! you may strike it lucky. good luck Jen