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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: Lily52 on Thursday 17 May 18 20:54 BST (UK)
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My grandfather, Harry Aiken, was admitted to NSW Asylum in July 1908, and discharged 4 months later. Was the asylum only for mentally ill people? He had been living in Kent Street, but he had relatives - Hamiltons - at Bullarah Station, near Moran. He was described as an "orchardist". Can anyone tell me more about these places, please? Many thanks if you can give me any more info.
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Are you sure it says Bullarah Station, near Moran and not Moree?
Bullarah is in Northern NSW.
There was more than one asylum in NSW
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Australian_psychiatric_institutions#New_South_Wales
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My grandfather, Harry Aiken, was admitted to NSW Asylum in July 1908, and discharged 4 months later. Was the asylum only for mentally ill people? He had been living in Kent Street, but he had relatives - Hamiltons - at Bullarah Station, near Moran. He was described as an "orchardist". Can anyone tell me more about these places, please? Many thanks if you can give me any more info.
I agree with crisane's reply, and I add:
Ancestry has a current partnership agreement with NSW Archives, and the register of inmates for the Liverpool Asylum for the Infirm and Destitute for Oct 1906 to Mar 1909 has been digitised and uploaded.
Under the headings Names and Addresses of Relatives, if any and also Remarks, there’s likely many names of relatives, their then addresses – including details for parents etc.
Under the heading History there should be details of where born, name of ship of arrival, current address, status, occupation, and how long in NSW –
other columns should give by whom admitted, age and Religion, date admitted, discharged, and how (discharged).
https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/archives/collections-and-research/guides-and-indexes/infirm-destitute-asylums-guide
https://www.weekendnotes.com/liverpool-old-mens-asylum/
https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/nsw/NE01512
PS Yes, likely that's Moree not Moran.
JM
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Thank you for those links. I have a copy of the entry in the admissions book which I got from Ancestry. I believe Harry was in the Liverpool Asylum. 10 days after he was discharged he was on a ship back to England! He had arrived in Sydney 3 years previously. His uncle, John Hamilton, lived in Moree. I would love to know why Harry came to be in the asylum. Any ideas? :-\
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The Liverpool asylum in that era was for infirm and/or destitute men. His abode prior to being admitted is shown as 211 Kent St. It is very likely that would be 211 Kent Street, in the City of Sydney.
Here is the link to the City of Sydney Assessment Books which will likely give you info about that address in that era.
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/search-our-collections/house-and-building-histories/assessment-books
Sands Directories are also available via City of Sydney archives
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/search-our-collections/house-and-building-histories/post-office-directories
211 Kent St, Sydney in the 1900 Sands directories is shown as Model Lodging House Co Limited, E Havilland, Secretary; William Stimson, manager; J T Walker, Chairman.
In the 1910 directory, it was still there, and William Stimson was still the manager.
JM
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Model Lodging House, 211 Kent St Sydney
https://colonialgivers.com/2016/08/23/the-model-lodging-house-company-of-sydney-limited/
JM
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Thank you for all that info, majm. Absolutely fascinating. I wonder how on earth he ended up in the Asylum... Probably never know! Thanks again.
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Although the word asylum has unfortunate connotations it must be remembered that not every asylum was a lunatic asylum. Think of modern "asylum seekers" - they are not lunatics, they are seeking refuge and shelter.
The likelihood is that Harry Aiken became ill or infirm, was unable to work and had no income or savings for food and lodgings. His relatives may not have been able to afford to feed and care for him.
The Australian asylum was probably similar to a British workhouse and attached infirmary.
Philip
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Yes, the model used for this model lodging house in Kent St was based on UK. When a lodger could not fund their daily token fee the lodger would be considered destitute. So referred to the next SHelter.... Asylum/shelter
JM
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Thanks for all the info and the links. I see there may be more information on inmates of the Liverpool Asylum - medical records, letters etc - is that right? But these are not available online. I live on the other side of the world, so I was wondering, if some very kind person would be able to do a search for me in case I can find out more about my grandfather? He was listed as Henry Ashbery Aiken, admitted 25/07/1908 and discharged 25/11/08. I have the info on his relatives in GB and Aus, his previous address etc, but maybe there is more to learn? Is that wishful thinking?? If so, then thanks for everyone's help so far. :)
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Thanks for all the info and the links. I see there may be more information on inmates of the Liverpool Asylum - medical records etc - is that right? But these are not available online. I live on the other side of the world, so I was wondering, if some very kind person would be able to do a search for me in case I can find out more about my grandfather? He was listed as Henry Ashbery Aiken, admitted 25/07/1908 and discharged 25/11/08. I have the info on his relatives in GB and Aus, his previous address etc, but maybe there is more to learn? Is that wishful thinking?? If so, then thanks for everyone's help so far. :)
For information
https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/archives/collections-and-research/guides-and-indexes/liverpool-state-hospital-and-home-guide
Philip
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Hi Lily,
I visit the NSW archives every 3 weeks or so. I will photograph what they have on Henry Ashbery AIKEN the next time I am there.
From the info Philip found they are incomplete but open for public access (despite the usual 110 year rule).
Ros
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Thanks so much, rosball, that would be brilliant! As my grandfather got on a ship back to the UK just a few days after being discharged from the Asylum, I can't help feeling there must be a letter or something else in the records. Fingers crossed! ;)
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Hi Lily,
There were more detailed medical records for those up to June 23 1908 and for those after 1911, but none for July-Dec 1908 :(.
For others there was brief admission and discharge info.
For Henry Ashbery AIKEN :
age 30
religion presbyterian
admission 26-7-08
ward 4
disease Pulmonary Tuberc
discharged 24-11-08
age 30
how discharged O.R.
Ros
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Rosball, thank you so much! So now I know he was admitted due to having TB. He obviously recovered and got back to the UK etc. Thanks again. :)
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Lily
The O.R. at the end of his discharge information most likely stands for "Own recognisance" which means he signed himself out.
In 1908 it is most unlikely he would be cured of TB in 4 months, before the advent of antibiotics etc.
(Sorry to rain on your parade :'( :'( )
Dawn M
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Thanks for the extra info - I had thought OR probably stood for "on recovery"! It is a mystery how he managed to get on a ship a few days after leaving the asylum, but I definitely have him on a ship back to the UK (albeit in 3rd class), arriving there, and he seems to have had a long life. One of the lucky ones!
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Lily
The O.R. at the end of his discharge information most likely stands for "Own recognisance" which means he signed himself out.
In 1908 it is most unlikely he would be cured of TB in 4 months, before the advent of antibiotics etc.
(Sorry to rain on your parade :'( :'( )
Dawn M
I agree, O.R. as abbreviation for Own Recognisance, meaning he had provided proof/evidence etc to the Asylum's bursar to show he could support/fund himself and so he was eligible to sign himself out, regardless of lack of recovery from T.B. Sometimes that evidence would be provided by others'.*** The Liverpool Asylum at least at that time, was not a mental health facility. So that may be why it has not had the 110 year rule applied to its records. The Asylum was for infirm and/or destitute men.
Ancestry has a current partnership agreement with NSW Archives, and the register of inmates for the Liverpool Asylum for the Infirm and Destitute for Oct 1906 to Mar 1909 has been digitised and uploaded.
Under the headings Names and Addresses of Relatives, if any and also Remarks, there’s likely many names of relatives, their then addresses – including details for parents etc.
Under the heading History there should be details of where born, name of ship of arrival, current address, status, occupation, and how long in NSW –
other columns should give by whom admitted, age and Religion, date admitted, discharged, and how (discharged).
https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/archives/collections-and-research/guides-and-indexes/infirm-destitute-asylums-guide
https://www.weekendnotes.com/liverpool-old-mens-asylum/
https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/nsw/NE01512
How did he raise the funds for a 3rd class ticket ...
*** Usually the 'Remarks' column on the Admission/Discharge document there can be a name - often a relative, may I suggest such a person who should be researched as often it would be that person who helped with funds or arranged for ''others" who had provided for funds for his passage to England.
JM
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Sands Pastoral Directory, 1909
Moree Pastures Protection Board …..
C.J. HAMILTON, Dromana, Moree, 9 horses 6 cattle 3437 sheep
J.H. DAVIS, Curragundi, Bullarah, 106 horses, 896 cattle 92284 sheep
And many others on separate listings giving property names, and then Bullarah as the locality in that PP district.
Sands Pastoral Dir 1914
C J HAMILTON, Dromana, Bullarah, 15 horses, 29 cattle, 4000 sheep, 5100 acres.
Estate the late J H DAVIS, Curragundi, Bullarah, 133 horses, 1924 cattle, 54500 sheep, 97145 acres.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14817079
SMH 8 Sept 1906, death of Harriet Josephine HAMILTON, at Chester Street Moree. She was wife of C J HAMILTON and third daughter of the late William CRISPIN (Glebe, Sydney).
Charles J HAMILTON and Harriet J CRISPIN married in 1883, NSW BDM #2504.
SS Marathon, 118.184
Aberdeen White Star, 3983 tons
Boarded Sydney, disembarked London, via S. Africa 24th January 1909.
Harry AIKEN, 3rd class, Plumber,
aged 26, Single/unaccompanied by a wife. Irish, Albert Villa, Kings Rd, KNOCK, Ireland.
I notice his occupation (OC) was noted as 'private means' on the remarks column on the digitised records. Also noticed OR was recorded on those digitised papers under the heading how discharged. :)
ADD
BULLARAH
Civil Parish of Meroe
County of Benarba
Land District of Moree
Pastures Protection District of Moree
Local Government Authority of Boomi
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=678243.msg5229350#msg5229350
http://www.gnb.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/180529/4_LocalitiesNamesNSW1954_A-B.pdf
http://www.nswlrs.com.au/land_titles/historical_research/parish_maps
https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/20871763?q&versionId=24781628
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-517667772/view
http://bullarah-nsw.street-map.net.au/
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=538663.0
NSW Electoral Roll 1902, GWYIR, polling at Meroe, several listed at Bullarah none surnamed AIKEN or HAMILTON or DAVIS/DAVIES, but noticed the following:
John Harper WALLACE, of Dromana, pensioner.
JM
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Gosh, this is so interesting - and thank you so much for taking the time to help. The info you've given me is great, but perhaps the most exciting is at the end of your post when you mention John Harper Wallace living in the vicinity in 1902, before Hamilton. Harry's mother was Elizabeth WALLACE Hamilton, so it looks like the estate was in the family going back further than I thought. I'm going to be kept busy looking into it all! Thanks again majm. :)
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NSW State Archives has a webinar on Asylum records :) scheduled for tomorrow, 14 June 2018.
https://mailchi.mp/records.nsw.gov.au/nowthen-issue-85-may-2018
Asylum records in NSW - Thursday 14th June, 10am-11am
They are then available anytime :)
Webinar program 2018
Our very successful webinar program continues in 2018. Register now for the following free webinars:
•Asylum records in NSW - Thursday 14th June, 10am-11am
•NSW Professions and Occupations - Tuesday 14th August, 10am-11am
•NSW Colonial Secretary’s Correspondence - Thursday 18th October, 10am-11am
•Sources for Marriage in NSW - Wednesday 7 November, 10am-11am
Our previous webinars are all available to view for free online, including our last webinar on Insolvency and Bankruptcy records.
Webinars are a fantastic way to increase our reach to audiences outside of Sydney and beyond. Our live webinars are free and bookings can be made on our website. The webinars are recorded and loaded to our library of webinars for viewing anywhere, any time.
JM
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Brilliant. I'll watch with interest! Thanks. :)