Severalls Mental Hospital

[Paul Caswell]

Does anyone have access to patient lists of Severalls Mental Hospital near Colchester?

My mother told me years ago that one of her uncles - and I believe it is George Speight b1891 in Sheperds Bush - was there.

A nice story comes with him. On my mothers wedding day she received a complete set of handmade brushes as a wedding present from him as this was his profession. Apparently these brushes were of amazing quality 'the best I've ever had'. She still has one of them and she married my dad in 1950.

Anyway, can anyone find anything about him? I already have him in 1891 and 1901 census.

My mother thinks he may have had a son, also called George but I have no information on his date or place of birth and I dont even have a first name for his mother.

Thank all.

Paul

[Clincher]

I think the whole hospital has been closed for a few years. I suspect that, for confidentiality reasons, there is probably a fairly lengthy embargo on access to patient records wherever they are.
There is a possible link at
http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk
click on 'Guest'
click on 'Institutions'
and enter 'Severalls' in box.
You should get 6 pages of hits some of which (the minutes stuff particularly) is probably lacking in names but you never know you may get lucky. I would say that you have to get to Essex RO to see the files

[Paul Caswell]

Wow!!

Thanks Clincher! Something to do this weekend.

Paul