Napsbury Asylum, near St Albans, Herts

[kevin wright]

I'm researching my great grandmother, who I believe was at Napsbury from 1925 until about 1950 when she died. However, I've been unable to trace her death certificate and I'm wondering if records for Napsbury would be available to view anywhere. Does anyone know if records of inmates are usually kept for such institutions, and who would hold such records? Many thanks.

Kevin Wright

[Peter Goodey]

Much too recent to get hold of asylum records, I think. There should be a death certificate obtainable in the usual way. Bodies cannot legally be buried or otherwise disposed of without registering the death.

[Frank W]

I'd suggest the Herts Archives (HALS) as the first place to enquire about existence of records.
After that, the Herts County Council, and St Albans District Council (Social Services?), since Napsbury was closed only a few years ago, and someone may have personal recollections of records kept or disposed of.
Also worth posting a query to the Rootsweb Herts mailing list, and perhaps a letter to the Editors of the "Herts Advertiser" and the "Review" local newspapers.
As Peter Goodemessage=I'd suggest the Herts Archives (HALS) as the first place to enquire about existence of records.
After that, the Herts County Council, and St Albans District Council (Social Services?), since Napsbury was closed only a few years ago, and someone may have personal recollections of records kept or disposed of.
Also worth posting a query to the Rootsweb Herts mailing list, and perhaps a letter to the Editors of the "Herts Advertiser" and the "Review" local newspapers.
As Peter Goodey says, 1950 is still recent in terms of record availability and you could be disappointed to find that even if they are traceable, they may not be open, on the grounds of confidentiality.
The National Burial Index may also have an entry, since cremation was perhaps less likely than burial in 1950-ish.
Does she appear in the 1901 Census under the expected name?
If you can find which local churchyard or cemetery was likely to have been the place of interment, then it might be possible to find the y says, 1950 is still recent in terms of record availability and you could be disappointed to find that even if they are traceable, they may not be open, on the grounds of confidentiality.
The National Burial Index may also have an entry, since cremation was perhaps less likely than burial in 1950-ish.
Does she appear in the 1901 Census under the expected name?
If you can find which local churchyard or cemetery was likely to have been the place of interment, then it might be possible to find the date.
St Albans District Council Cemeteries Superintendent may have some general info., and any local Funeral Directors may be able to offer suggestions.
St Albans Superintendent Registrar may be able to answer general enquiries.
Other buzzwords are: Fleetville (St Albans) Cemetery
and Garston (North Watford) Crematorium
( but I don't know when that opened )

Good luck with your search..............Frank W

[Ajay]

Napsbury Ayslum was one of three mental hospitals in Hertfordshire that was a Middlesex County Council Ayslum - the other two being Shenley Mental Hospital and Middlesex Colony later known as Harperbury Hospital. The records of these institutions should now be with the Corporation of London. Access their website Corpoflondon.gov.uk will give all information of how to obtain information at a cost!.

[kevin wright]

Thanks Peter, Frank and Ajay for your help. I'll try the LMA, although I think you're right, I now remember reading somewhere that these records are kept closed for a considerable time (100 years?). I'll try and find the death cert anyway, should give me some info at least.

Kevin

[Frank W]

Hi Kevin

I googled for "Hospital records" and found a hit for the National Archives Catalog. If you follow that path you can put Napsbury or St Albans in the NA search box and it confirms that the records are indeed at the LMA, and gives more info on the Local & County authorities involved, and some dates.

It does seem to suggest also that the records are not closed, so you could get lucky

Regards.......Frank W.