Kincardine O'Neil

[jessienicolson]

Was there ever an asylum in Kincardine o'neil?

[GR2]

I'd imagine you would go to Aberdeen. I have seen people from various parts of Aberdeenshire who were sent there.

Which period are you speaking about and what is the evidence that makes you think the person was committed?

[jessienicolson]

Thanks for getting back to me.  The period I am looking at is around 1792.  I have an unmarried couple, stating they were married, having their child baptised in Kincardine O'Neil.  There are no Kirk Session Minutes for that period available.  But in the Banchory Ternan Kirk Session Minutes, it states that two imbeciles, no names,  were before the Elders for having an illegitimate child.  So I was rather puting 2 and 2 together. 

[GR2]

"Imbecile" was the term used for those at the very bottom of the scale, less than an "idiot" and far from being a "lunatic". Here it may mean no more than that they were not considered very responsible.

[jessienicolson]

Thank you

[JMStrachan]

Back then, "imbecile" could also be used to describe someone who today we would say "has a learning disability".

[jessienicolson]

thank you.