Hi all, I'm quite new looking into my family history and want to start with my estranged Grandfather who had Schizophrenia and was admitted to either Severals or Claybury mental hospital in Essex. My Dad was around 5 or 6 when he left and don't really know when he was admitted, but my Dad was born in 1942 so he possibly could have been there from the late 40s, I know he died around 1980. He physically abused my Father and Grandmother so was not really talked about when I was growing up, so that's all I know.
I know that I could possibly get access to his hospital records as I am a direct descendant, but really have no idea where to start, any help would be greatly appreciated.