My Great Aunt Frances

[allotment]

My great Aunt Frances Jane Broughton b Manchester 1878 but moved to Rochester Kent by 1881. Married James Russell [b 1874] in 1895 and had children Kathleen Florence b 1896 and Nellie E b 1898. Frances shows clearly on the 1881, 1891 and 1901 census.
My problem is that I cannot find her passing away. I have also checked to see if she may have re-married on the off chance but found nothing .
My mother seems to think that Frances may have gone into an institution but my father [Frances's nephew] cannot recall this at all. If she went into Barming Heath say would her passing be recorded elsewhere as well as the death registers? Is it possible to find out somehow if she did go into Barming Heath or other institution?
Thank you in advance for any advice.

[lizdb]

Where have you looked for her death?
If she was born 1878 she could have lived to the 1950's or 60's. FreeBMD fades out around 1920/30ish.
So it is a case of going through the full death indexes, quarter by quarter within each year. This can be done on pay to view or subscrition sites - often available at local librairies if you do not have your own subscription at home.

[allotment]

Have checked right through on findmypast until she would have been 100.

[lizdb]

Difficult one then.
Death should be in the indexes wherever it took place.
You could contact the local record office to see if they hols any records for Barming Heath.

[Canuc]

Even if she was institutionalised she would appear in the census.

What was at Barming Heath - Ahh County Asylum (psychiatry)! Consider Maidstone archives.

Happy hunting
Canuc

[KPM]

Hi

One of my relatives ended his days in Barming.  His death was registered in the normal way and I was fortunate enough to get a copy of his records from Barming, confirming details of his admission and later death.  The records are held at the Centre for Kentish Studies.

Hope this helps and good luck

KPM

[allotment]

Thanks KPM. Did you have to get them in person or were they sourced in-house and sent to you?
Did the 100 year secret rule apply and did you therefore have to prove relationship?
I am 200 miles from Maidstone and want to have as complete a picture of the rules as possible. If I don't have to make the journey then so much the better.
Colin

[KPM]

Hi Colin
It was a while ago now (2005 I believe) but I didn't visit in person.  Originally I e-mailed them to find out if they had the records.  Once they confirmed this, I had to send off a form which they e-mailed me, along with a payment of £7.00 and about 3 weeks later the records turned up - that easy!!

He died in 1910 but was admitted several years earlier so I'm not sure when the 100 year rule would apply from.  I had always assumed that it would be from the time he died but that didn't seem to be the case in this instance - perhaps someone else can advise on this?

Hope this helps but if you need any further information please let me know

Anne-Marie

[allotment]

Thanks Anne Marie