Mental Institutions in Scotland

[jackiefr]

I am trying to track someone in Scotland - I have his birth (1871) and his death (1952) but I cannot find him anywhere in between. he does not appear on any census with the rest of his family. can I find out if he was in an institution?

[rosie17]

Hi and welcome to rootschat I think if he was in an institution he would still show in the census forms ...Maybe we could help looking for him if you give us a bit of information name and place of birth /parents 

[chempat]

People in institutions often shown just by initials, which makes identification difficult.

Have you got the death certificate information, to see where he died and cause of death, though as he was over 80 it might not be of any help.  Though we could use that as a starting point for searching for him.

[jackiefr]

Thank you.

My major source for these dates is Scotland's People. I have also used ancestry and findmypast.
His name is Robert Nicol MASSON dob 17 August 1871 at Shore Street Fraserburgh.
His parents were John Masson, Fisherman, and Elizabeth Masson m.s. Nicol. The family was living at 10 Duke Street Fraserburgh for the 1871 census (before his birth). They were at 10 Seagate, Montrose, Angus, Scotland in 1881 as Mason - no mention of Robert. not found in census between 1881 and 1911.

His death is recorded at 22 December 1952 at 71 Castle Street Montrose. Cause of death shown as myocardial degeneration, chronic bronchitis. He is shown as a retired dock labourer, unmarried.  Informant shown as W Masson (William Young Masson), his brother - address given is same as on his death registration of 1955.
is this of any help?

Thank you again

[chempat]

Surely if he was a retired dock labourer he will show on the censuses as such, or as something?

I thought you meant that he had been put away for life.

So possibly with relatives in 1881 and mis-transcribed or wrong information given, and so 'hiding' in censuses later on?  Though not much help if you have searched for him and nothing showing.

[rosie17]

I see what you mean  he is hiding well the I did see a Robert Mason b 1873 Fraserburgh boarder at 2,Clement's Lane Dundee occupation saw mill labourer ..At the home of Alexander & Catherine Sharp ? Have you checked to see if he is with grandparent's

[aghadowey]

My first thought is are you sure that the death certificate is for the same person as the 1871 birth?

Have found Robert Nicol Masson listed on one online tree (no death details) but no brother William listed.

Have you seen the passenger manifest for this Robert Masson?
23 Apr.1898 "Corean" arrived New York from Glasgow, Scotland
Robert Masson, 26, farm servant, Aberdeen, going to brother Alexr Masson in Lafayette, Indiana

[rosie17]

My first thought is are you sure that the death certificate is for the same person as the 1871 birth?

Have found Robert Nicol Masson listed on one online tree (no death details) but no brother William listed

Was thinking the same also if we are looking at different families here

[rosie17]

William Mason b 1876 appears with the family in the 1881 census giving a birth year of 1876 Ferryden Forfarshire address 10 Seagate ...
1891 William Masson same birth information as 1881 address 1 Shore Wynd Montrose Angus