Winterton House, Sedgefield

[wotty]

Does anyone know anything about Winterton House in Sedgefield?

I have a death certificate of a (possible) relative who died there in 1928. I am assuming it was some kind of hospital or workhouse but I am puzzled as to why my relative would be there when he had a wife and 5 sons living in Darlington.

Any ideas appreciated.

Wotty.

[gerryfitz]

Winterton was the largest Mental Hospital in Northern England until it closed a few years ago.

They had their own mortuary and cemetery.

I think Winterton House was the main office building.

I also believe that the records are available, either at Durham County Record Office or online (but no idea of any link etc.)

[wotty]

Thank you.

I have really struggled to find out anything about this particular relative. The fact that he was in a mental hospital probably explains why the entire family seem to have memory loss where he is concerned.

I will see what the Durham records office can come up with.

Wotty.

[gerryfitz]

Wotty,

Try here

http://www.durham.gov.uk/recordoffice/register.nsf/0/4D6085C9415EE792802569050052C328?opendocument

and here

http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/the_north_east/history/echomemories/darlington/061004.html

I know folk who used to work there ( Iwas a pollis in Sedgefield), if you get stuck email me and I'll try to get some info. for you.
 Regards,
Gerry

[John4270]

Hi Wotty
Durham RO do have records for Winterton Hospital,
but you are not allowed to view them if you write to the archivist with details of who you are interested in, she will send the information, if you are lucky ( I was ) there may even be a photo of the person Regards
John

[Soltown]

My grandfathers uncle died there in 1927 but he was a Charge Nurse at the time, is it possible your rellie was a member of staff?

If so the records are open, patients records are shut but staff records are open.

George

[John4270]

Thanks George
No my Grandmother was an inpatient.
I am pleased that the records are open and you have found what you needed, pity the patients are still unavailable.
Regards
John

[Paul E]

Hi Wotty

I worked at Winterton in the late 1970's, just as the Care in the Community policy was starting to be formulated, and the transfer of patients was beginning.

The site is now a business park and executive housing, but I believe the main clocktower building is still there.

The hospital would certainly have taken patients from Darlington at that time (ie 1920's).

Definitely worth contacting Durham Records Office I would think.

Do you know how old they were?  At that time, it was not unknown to spend many years in the asylum, so depending on their age they may well have been there in 1901, and be shown on the census.

cheers

Paul

[wotty]

Thanks for your input. I am certainly going to contact the records office and have some research done.

The person was my great-grandfather and he was at home with his family in 1901. No-one in my family ever spoke of him, which is what makes me think that he was a patient there -  he was a builder by occupation. 

Thanks again

Wotty