Larbert lunatic asylum.

[petbro]

Hi all,

Spoke to Jean at Falkirk Archives (01324 503779) who was a tremendous help as regards both records and burial of my grt uncle J. He was a patient registered as a lunatic (1901 Census states he was feeble minded) but only entered the Asylum due to the Phthisis which he had for over two years. I guess his parents knew he was close to death.

On the animal side of things, J worked and looked after his father's horses - he was a coachman - so could j have contracted it through his work with the horses? I'm due to see my doctor next week so will raise the issue with her and let you know what she says. I hope it won't be the usual 'Google it' reply!!

thanks for the records update link too.

Peter 

[Seoras]

I haven't visited this thread for a while but as an update, and with thanks to Guy Etchells who visited the archives and found a wealth of information for me, I can give a conclusion to my original question. It would appear that my great great grandmother was in there for the reason that she was mentally unstable. She had delusions and believed that two of her children were replaced at birth by cats and planned to kill them. Given that one of these children was probably my great grandfather George, I can only be thankful she was foiled. Indeed she was deemed so dangerous that the Procurator Fiscal forbade her release without his say so.

This also clears up the little mystery that of my grandparents five daughters, none were given her name.

Apparently she was in Morningside before Larbert so I think that will be my next stop.

Thanks to all who helped and especially to Guy for his fantastic digging for me.

[peterspark]

Hi there
Can anyone help me with records from the Larbert Asylum.  I am wondering if there is somewhere i can obtain copies of records from.
My ancestor was - Alexander SPARK who died there in 1902 and his daughter Janet SPARK who died there 14th May 1909.  any help appreciated. hoping the records have photos possibly?

Any help appreciated. the original link at beginning of post does not help.
Cheers
peter from Australia

[ScouseBoy]

I haven't visited this thread for a while but as an update, and with thanks to Guy Etchells who visited the archives and found a wealth of information for me, I can give a conclusion to my original question. It would appear that my great great grandmother was in there for the reason that she was mentally unstable. She had delusions and believed that two of her children were replaced at birth by cats and planned to kill them. Given that one of these children was probably my great grandfather George, I can only be thankful she was foiled. Indeed she was deemed so dangerous that the Procurator Fiscal forbade her release without his say so.

This also clears up the little mystery that of my grandparents five daughters, none were given her name.

Apparently she was in Morningside before Larbert so I think that will be my next stop.

Thanks to all who helped and especially to Guy for his fantastic digging for me.

I think today  they would call her condition as  Post Puerral Psychosis.

[peterspark]

Hey Scouseboy

Do you have a contact email or something to see if it is possible this Guy Etchells could visit the archives for me to chase up my ancestors? greatly appreciated. Happy to pay a fee to have someone get the records for me. I am in Australia and not somewhere i can easily pop into.
Cheers
Peter spark

[Forfarian]

Guy posts on RootsChat. Use the search to find him and send him a Personal Message.