Genealogy Chat

Hi Sammy, Maybe the burial record would help? The burial record for my g.g.g.grandfather just gave his age & occupation but as your ancester died in an asylum you may get lucky and they may have made a note of it. Just a thought. Good luck! Cherie

That's wonderful isn't it Gwynne, to read something so personal about an ancestor. I'll email Oxford records office. Thank you Sam

Hi Sammy, I got my 3xgt grandfather's records from Gwent RO. I emailed tomake sure they had them then asked for a quote for photocopies of everything they had. It cost me £5 but they are a joy to read. I was so impressed by the care he was given (in the 1860 -1870s). There are regular reports on his attitude and condition. He'd had an accident in a pit - head injury and had suffered fits for years. Eventually it got too much for him and he tried to slash his throat (he had already made one attempt) while down the pit. He was taken direct to Abergavenny asylum. There are details of his initial interview and of his "work" and health during the years he was there. Nowadays it would be called clinical depression. However, his death cert shows he had a brain tumour - which probably accounted for the mood changes and fits. One line that I find very moving is - 1877 December 15: Epileptic fits occur frequently and he often sustains severe injuries from falls while under the influence of the fit. He is much demented and passes most of his time sleeping by the fireside. Well worth the £5 for 8 pages of notes. Gwynne

Thanks Gwynne, didn't know I could do that, it was in Oxford, do you think I would have to visit? LOL Tracy, ghosts on the census too :) Sam

I got one of those.... except, I had a birth and a death (before the census in 1891) - but he was showing on the 1891 census lol.... I was quite confused!

Hi, You could look in the admissions register for the asylum (county record office) which will have details of next of kin etc. Gwynne

Do you have BMD certs for 1 ancestor, that you think are all the same person, but you cannot be positive? I have birth & death cert for an ancestor, George Merry, but I have thought for a while now that I cannot actually tie them together, not conclusively anyway. The birth cert is definitely for MY George, and as soon as I saw the death I thought "he's mine".. ;) The age on death matches him not being on any more census, he died aged 33 & death cert is 33yrs after the birth cert I have, died same area as birth too. He died in an asylum so a doctor registered the death, not his wife, which would have tied the 2 together. Am I right in thinking that's the best I can do, just be 99% sure? Rather than 100%? Just niggling a bit...that's all Cheers Sam

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