County Asylum, Prestwich

[uksearch]

The admissions records for the Lancashire County Asylum at Prestwich are on a L&MFHS CD. They cover the period 1851 (when the Asyulum opened) to 1901.It also gives a reference to case records some of which can be viewed at Greater Manchester County Records Office or Lancashire Records Office.Roughly speaking those admitted before 1890 are at LRO and after 1890 at GMCRO. From about 1890 pictures of the Patients were included in the records.I dicovered that my ggf spent 4 months in there before being released.


UK

[uksearch]

Well I have taken a trip out today to Lancashire Records Office where I spent the morning searching through loads of records that are not held at MCL.As always I make sure that I know the references for anything that I want to look at here.It is well worth emailing the details to LRO, the only drawback is that they can take two weeks to reply.Anyhow enough of my minor gripe. I had a look at my ggps records. It was the strangest feeling reading the two reports. The first one was his Medical Case Book which described the symptoms of his ailment. This may not be to all our tastes. The reception order was also very interesting to read. Although most of it was pre printed it was still facinating to read. I have ordered copes of the reports and can go into more detail later...without infringing copyright:) .


UK

[uksearch]

My ggf appeared before the County Police Court, Strangeways, Manchester on 7th Nov 1889. He had been committed to Prestwich Asylum by a JP on 19th Oct. The court on the 7th Nov declared him to be a "Pauper Lunatic", which is somewhat strange as he was a man of some property.The court charge The Chorlton Union with the sum of £1 17s 6d for expenses in and about the examination of the said Pauper Lunatic and bringing him to court. The court also ordered the Union to pay the Asylum the sum of £1 2s 2d for Lodging, maintainence, medicine etc. In addition the Union had to pay the weekly sum of 8s 2d untill his death or release.
A Form of Medical Certificate had to be issued by a member of the RCS , or as in this case a man from the RCS & P in Edinburgh. It stated that he was of unsound mind and needed to be detained under care and treatment.My ggf was obsevered to be restless and talking in a silly incoherant way. He had difficulty in articulation and walking with an impaired memory. So with this Medical Certificate and the signature of two JPs he was committed.



<STRONG>more

[uksearch]

When my ggf was admitted the Medical Record described him as a beerhousekeeper married with 7 children and a pregnant wife. He was said to be epileptic and suicidal.He was 50 and had suffered fits for about a month.His ailments were possibly caused by the fits or drink.
His family history was summerised under the headings Insanity Drink and
Phthisis.
Insanity - Brother, 2 paralytic strokes
Drink - No
Phthisis - Father
State on Admission- Average height, very thin, grey hair, childish expression. Very poor body condition but no injuries,fowl tongue (the colour not the language). weight 8st 7 lbs(119lbs). Diagnosis - Organic dementia. Prognosis - Hopeless

more

[uksearch]

DATE PROGRESS OF CASE
Oct 22nd Has been very restless at night, untidy and inclined to refuse food. Present Mutual Condition.Increasing dementia and unable to answer the simplest question, cannot tell where he is, has no idea as to time etc. Gets out of bed at night constantly and rambles about in an aimless way. Is much better in the daytime but at times insists on undressing himself. His speech is thickened and there is a marked loss of expression.
Nov 18th Slightly stonger. Mutual Condition not changed
1890
Jan Very much improved, no fits.

cont

[uksearch]

PROGRESS OF CASE Cont

Feb22nd 1890 Dischaged, Recovered
Weight on Discharge 10 st 5 lbs (145lbs)

[uksearch]

He seems to have made a remarkable recovery. In four months he went from being "hopeless" to "recovered". He lived for another twenty years. My gf was killed in 1917 and my gm fell out with her in-laws, so there have been no stories about the old boy passed on down to me. Do I feel bad about my ggf being labelled a pauper lunatic? It was a bit of a shock but no I don't really feel upset. Often these asylums were used as a convenient places to get people out of society, sometimes for life...but maybe that's another topic.

UK

[lisawagner]

Hi UK,

enjoyed reading this, his recovery was indeed remarkable. I remember as a child one of the worst insults you could give was to shout 'your Mum's in Prestwich'. I wonder how many of us would be committed nowadays.

My GGGGfather was also admitted to Prestwich, he is in Salford 1871 then lost his wife sometime between 1871 and 1881 (still searching the BMD index), he is living in Oldham with his teenage children in 1881, then in 1891 he is an inmate of Prestwich listed as a lunatic, all his children married by this time. By 1901 he too must have recovered as he is in Miles Platting with his daughter and son in law but there is a tick in the last section of the census stating a condition but not which one. I wasn't sure you could get copies of the records, I would be interested to read his case notes after reading your GGfather's. Here's hoping it's not genetic.

[uksearch]

Thank you. If you care to mention his name, I can look out his date of admission on the CD. That will give you an indication of whether you will have to travel to Marshall St (GMCRO) or Bow Lane (LRO).

UK

[lisawagner]

How wonderful you are. His name was Samuel Taylor, he was born 1829 Yorkshire, he is age 62 in the 1891 census and still listed as a bootmaker.

Thanks and regards,
Lisa

[uksearch]

This seems to be the only one to fit the bill.
TAYLOR Samuel admitted 29th Oct 1885 as Male Patient no 5917. Birthplace unknown. age 53. Religion Church of England. Occupation Cordwainer. [LRO: QAM6/6/24]

Obviously the "LRO" tells you that the record is at Bow lane.

UK

[lisawagner]

Thank you.

I only found out yesterday, on this site, that a cordwainer is in fact a shoe maker, he and another branch came from a long line of shoe and boot makers, then in one census one of them is listed as a cordwainer, living amongs cotton weavers and cotton carders, so I assumed this was to do with the cotton trade, shows what assuming does. I have emailed LRO and look forward to reading his notes, should be some reading as it seems he was there for at least 6 years.

Again, thank you,
regards,
Lisa

[uksearch]

I am not sure how familar you are with the LRO. If you want copies of the records you will have to pay for them in advance...and six years worth could be expensive.


UK

[lisawagner]

I am not familiar with the LRO at all, I have never dealt with County Records Offices before, only libraries, local archives and register offices who have all been wonderful. I am at the stage where I physically have to go to these places but I find it a little daunting and between work and kids I have spent my time trying to tie up all the loose ends on all branches before I did this and lucky for me I have plenty on this side of 1837 to keep me going. I did have a look at the LRO website but I could not get to grips with their price quide, seemed a little vague, I know I wouldn't employ a plumber under the same circumstances. If I go to Bow Lane, am I able to view the records and have them copied whilst there?

Lisa

[uksearch]

No you can't get a copy of them on the same day as your visit. They process the docuements after you have paid, prepare them for copying and they post them on a fews days later. The staff at LRO are very helpful.

UK

[lisawagner]

Thanks for all your help and advice UK, been at this for a while now but pre 1837 I am a novice, nice to have people who are willing to share their knowledge.

Lisa

[lisawagner]

Hi again,

just to let you know, I have had a reply from LRO and you were correct, they are very helpful. They have located his records but the Reception Order is missing, the Discharges Register shows that he escaped from Prestwich on 2 July 1891 and did not subsequently return. He is recorded as discharged on 16 July 1891. It was hospital procedure that if escaped patients did not return within two weeks, then they were deemed to have been discharged. I found this highly amusing. LRO have advised me how to get copies of what they have for him.

Regards,
Lisa

[uksearch]

I am just wondering if you are in a position to give us an update on the material you received from LRO?

UK

[carolannemitchell]

I am trying to find information about my ggf. He is believed to have been in prestwich asylum and died there. His name is Edward Mitchell and I think he died in 1907. Does anyone know where I can find any records of the asylum. Because I don't know his exact date of death I cannot find a death certificate. Has anyone any ideas

[uksearch]

Greater Manchester County Records Office will have these records. I have checked the admissions records up to 1901. He wasn't there so he must have been admitted in 1902 or after.

UK

[carolannemitchell]

Thank you for checking, I contacted the records office but they will not give me any information until I produce a death certificate.

[uksearch]

Thank you for checking, I contacted the records office but they will not give me any information until I produce a death certificate.
I would have thought that all they needed to do was check the GRO index. Perhaps their policy has changed. I will make a few enquiries.

UK

[carolannemitchell]

Thanks I could do with a bit of help with this

[uksearch]

All I will be doing is speaking to a lady from GMCRO who attented the Mackie Mayor session...just to find out what the policy is.

UK

[carolannemitchell]

Thanks I think they should know he is dead as he was born in 1879.

[uksearch]

The person I wanted to talk has gone on holiday. I talked to some idiot who did not know what she was talking about, who said that in no circumstances could any information be released. I did not bother arguing with her as I was on my mobile phone. Send GMCRO an email stating that you would like to see or have access to the information in the records under The Freedom of Information Act.


UK

[jackdog]

Hi,
This is intended for 'UK Search', in the hope you, or any other forum member, may be able to help, as I saw from another reply that you have a CD of names from Prestwich Asylum.
I have a 'missing' ancestor, and I believe it is possible he may have been at Prestwich Asylum. Any chance you could have a look at the CD for me?
A problem is his unusual name, which had quite a few odd variants over the years:
Benjamin BECKINSALE is how it was more usually spelt. But Beckingsale is also often found, as well as others.
He was born in Aston, Oxfordshire in approx 1839, and later moved to Golborne, near Wigan and Leigh, where he was last recorded on the 1881 census as Benjamin 'Beckersol'. I can't find a death record for him anywhere, and what makes me think he may have been in Prestwich is a unique entry from the GRO Death Indexes, for the Sep qtr of 1884, which refers to a Benjamin BAGINTAIL, aged 42, registered at Prestwich. The name 'Bagintail' exists nowhere else but in this single GRO Index.
Hence my thought that it might be him, and that the Prestwich Asylum would be the most likely reason for a registration there, since his family lived in Leigh and Golborne.
Sorry to ramble on, and would be most grateful if you could spare the time to check the CD for him between 1881 and 1884.
Many thanks,
Jack

[uksearch]

The CD is produced by M &LFHS and is available for use in any Manchester library. I do not actually own a copy. There is a Benjamin BAGINTAIL indexed. Details to follow later in the week.


UK

[jackdog]

The CD is produced by M &LFHS and is available for use in any Manchester library. I do not actually own a copy. There is a Benjamin BAGINTAIL indexed. Details to follow later in the week.


UK

Thanks very much, UK. That sounds like my guess could be right.

Cheers,
Jack

[uksearch]

Thanks very much, UK. That sounds like my guess could be right.

Cheers,
Jack
My Pleasure.

UK

[uksearch]

Here is the entry from the Prestwich Asylum Admissions Records.
BAGINTAIL Benjamin Admitted 2 Jul 1884 as male patient no 5313. Birthplace unknown. Age 42. Widower. Occupation Labourer General.Died 14 Aug 1884 (LRO: QAM 6/6/22)
The reference number shows that his patient records are at Lancashire records Office. You can obtain a copy of these in person or by contacting LRO.
http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/education/record_office/
UK

[uksearch]

I also had a look at the burial records for St Mary’s Prestwich, where around 3000 inmates were buried.

Benjamin BAGINTAIL. Prestwich Asylum. Aug 15th 1884. 42 years.

UK

[jackdog]

Thank you very much, UK, for all your time and trouble. I am more convinced now that this is my ancestor, since there is no contradictory info in what you have found. If it is him, Benjamin's wife died in 1875, leaving him with a young family, and no other relatives in Lancashire, so it's perhaps not surprising that he might have cracked under the strain.

What is a mystery is why he chose, in about 1872-3, to uproot his family from Oxfordshire (where he was an ag lab) and go north to Golborne, where he was listed on the 1881 census as a 'waterman'. That census entry, under 'Beckersol', is possibly the least accurate transcription (in the LDS version and repeated on Ancestry) I have ever seen, although the writing on the original image is terrible. Hardly a single fact is correct.

I will try to get to Preston within the next week or so, to get more info.
While I'm at LRO I'd be happy to return the favour by doing any lookups you might need there. Same applies at the History Shop in Wigan (where I live).

Thanks again for your help,
Jackdog

[uksearch]

SNIP
I will try to get to Preston within the next week or so, to get more info.
While I'm at LRO I'd be happy to return the favour by doing any lookups you might need there. Same applies at the History Shop in Wigan (where I live).

Thanks again for your help,
Jackdog
Hahaha...I was there yesterday...but thanks for the very kind offer anyway.|cheers|

UK

[carolannemitchell]

Hi Uksearch

i have been reading your list of people from Prestwich Asylum who was buried at St Mary's. During your reasearch have you come across an Edward Mitchell, he died at the asylum 12 November 1918. GMCRO have sent me his Admission Register Details, Photograph & Death Notice but it does not say were he was buried. The family story is he was buried at the asylum, and ideas were he could be. Thanks

Carol

[uksearch]

Well he was not buried at St Mary's.

UK

[carolannemitchell]

Thanks, I will have to look elsewhere.

[Jean Snow]

Thanks for that information. I have a friend who has sent for the cd - she has just told me that so hopefully I will find out what happened to my relative. Jean

[Jean Snow]

Can anyone tell me if you died in the Asylum in 1877 where would you be buried? Thanks Jean

[uksearch]

Several thousand were buried at St Mary's, Prestwich. If the person came from outside the immediate area they may appear on my list of strays buried there.

http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8975

UK

[albacu]

My g/gran died in Prestwich Asylum, I have a copy of the death notice certificate. But would like to know were she was buried can anyone help please.
No of Register 12693 , Rebecca Riley,admitted on Oct 23th 1902 till her death Sept 5th 1918.
We live in N/East but go back to visit my mothers grave in Agecroft Salford.
Thank you ,
No of Register 12693

[carolannemitchell]

My great grandfather died at Prestwich asylum in 1918 and was buried in a communal grave at St Mary's Prestwich. You can email Manchester library and they will tell you the date of the burial. Hope this helps.

[albacu]

Thank you I will be in Manchester on Tuesday so i will call in the Library.

[Nickmc]

Hi All, I found this thread via google, so I've joined and thought perhaps some kind soul could give me a steer!

I have a letter adressed to my Great, Great, Aunt "Ellen McCarthy" at County Asylum, Prestwich in 1888. I have no idea if she worked there, or was a 'resident'. The letter is dated. I believe she was born around 1840 (+/- 15 years) and may have been born in Ireland. The letter I have refers to her as Miss. She had moved to Warrington by 1897.

If anyone at all could let me know where to look for this, I would be extremely grateful

Best regards
Nick McCarthy

[carolannemitchell]

Hi Nick,

Try emailing Manchester Records Office, they should know who the staff was at this time. If she was not a member of staff they have the admission records for the patients. I got records for my great grandfather and they only cost £4 including a photograph.

Good luck

Carol

[mikeaustin]

Hi, I'm new to this site and not sure if I'm doing this correctly....

My grandfather worked at Prestwich asylum in the 1920s. I found out from Manchester Central Library that he left there in 1931, the reason for leaving being given as 'to L.L.'. Does anyone know what this abbreviation might mean? Thanks, Mike