Genealogy Chat

Just posting this one out of curiosity, as I'm interested to find out what sort of thing constituted "idiocy" and "feeble-mindedness" back in the 1900s and before then, for that matter. As you'll know, these are terms that are used on censuses, in addition to lunacy and other conditions. The impression I have with regards the recording of this information on the census, is that these terms were probably somewhat unfair labels. For example, would someone with a stutter or dyslexia (a condition that wouldn't have been understood back then) be regarded as say, feeble-minded. Have done a search on Google, but still none the wiser, hoping someone with a better understanding than myself can put the record straight. Andy.

Hi Andrew, I am currently studying health and will be looking into mental illness more next year. (as it's that area I want to work in) Feeble minded does come across to me as somebody who would probably be slightly slow and seen as someone who probably had the mentality of a child (I'm not too sure how to word it). The problem with those days was people didn't understand the illness and were very cruel. Some people are still like it nowadays but thankfully not many. I hope this is of sume help. Laurie

Thanks Laurie Andy.

Hiya, I know I have read somewhere - it could have been on this site, or in a Family Tree Mag. where the medial terminology with regard to the degree of mental illness was detailed, but I cannot remember where - it will come no doubt and I'll get back to you. I too was mystified when trawling down the occupanets of a local "Lunatic Asylum" on the 1881 to find each patient listed as "Idiot" or "Lunatic" or even "Idiot from birth". Cold and cruel terms by today's standards but of course in those days it would appear that any quirk in the personality of an individual could have resulted in them being locked away. What amazed me was the age ranges and occupations of the "in-mates". On one page I saw 3 brothers, all in their 50's, all farmers and single - all recorded as "lunatics" - one wonders what were the circumstances surrounding their plight. Be back in touch when grey matter working better. Jacqui

Jacqui, Just found this site, which describes the various acts that have been passed down the years regarding mental health. http://www(.)davesheppard(.)co(.)uk/history(.)htm Examples of things that I immediately noticed were the 1886 Idiots Act whereby anyone with a learning difficulty would be admitted to the workhouse, asylum or prison. Also the 1913 Mental Deficiency Act, which could be used against unmarried women with babies. In fact, unmarried mothers were grouped together with those who had a criminal or vicious personality!

Hi Andrew There is no clinical classification for feeble mindness. They inmates concerned would most likely be slow dimwitted or disfigured or maimed in some way Or even deaf. Orphan children were also often put there without good reason Unmarried women and girls were often put into asylums because they had given birth to a child. This practice still existed in the early 1900's The lunatics most likely had some form of Mental illness regards Bren

Hi - found another site with the descriptions of mental illness from the 1500 onwards - each century developing more of an "understanding2 of the problems of the patients, Here are some of the descriptions:- Idiot - one of extremely low intelligence Lunatic - insanity effected by phases of the moon Imbecile - a mentally week person Melancholy - depression Raver - one who shows sings of madness or delirium Trembler - one who shakes with involuntary movement, also being in state of extreme dread, apprehansion or awe. I feel I qualify for most of the above on occasions, so I am full of sympathy for those poor souls locked up years ago - what say you? Jacqui ps site is www(.)mdx(.)ac(.)uk

Thanks Jacqui, one question though - where should I be looking on the site you mentioned? Didn't really get any clues by looking at the sitemap. Andy.

Sorry I sometimes get carried away when I open and close windows etc. I put in google search Medical History, and I think that's where I saw it all. Really interesting site. Jacqui

Hi me again - try this one www(.)mdx(.)ac(.)uk/www(.)study/mhhglo(.)htm it should come up as Mental Health (History) Dictionary - if all fails just try search on mental health lunatics. I'm sure that's where I found it. Jacqui

Thanks Jacqui, I can now view the site.

Just as an additional comment I have just been given a book called 'Presumed Curable' which is an illustrated casebook of late Victorian Psychiatric patients in Bethlem Royal Hospital, where patients admitted would preferably be 'of the educated classes'. 'Pauper lunatics' were regarded as 'proper objects for admission into a County Lunatic Asylum', rather than as suitable candidates for treatment at Bethlem, and physical ill health or those requiring permanent and exclusive attendance of nurse were excluded. The hospital took on patients from various locations including a lady who had just arrived from Australia. It has photographs and interesting casenotes of about 56 people with variable ages. If anyone thinks they may have a vested interest in any potential ancestors I will try to log names ages places of birth etc. Marion

Lunatic was a term used for people who suffered Epilepsy.

If it is in a census, the enumerator would write down what the family told him, and they told it as they saw it, as lay people. Or possibly, at the time, some enumerators were barely literate themselves, and wrote what they could spell.

hi,andrew. when i did my nurse training for people with now called learning difficulties in 1966 they were banded into idiot,imbecile,feeble-minded and educationally subnormal.this was a horrible title for anyone,but this could include someone who had only had an illegitimate child. yvonne