Londonderry Asylum Records (Completed)

[scanning]

While there was a post regarding this during 2010 and 2011 I thought I would repost rather than dredge that one up again.

I have recently discovered that a death during 1909 at the Asylum would have been for my gg grandmother ( https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1909/05461/4528162.pdf ). As there were numerous entries made by the informant M McGuiness I suspect that they were an employee.

The informant noted that Margaret Canning (nee McFarland) had transferred from Peebles Asylum and I was lucky enough to be able to obtain a copy of the Peeble's records which indicated that she was admitted there in 1904 and discharged "To Ireland" in 1907.

Would there be admission records available and if so the best way to obtain a copy? I am hoping to find out who would have admitted her.

Many thanks for any suggestions,

Simon

[Elwyn Soutter]

If the admission records have survived they are likely to be in PRONI in Belfast. It certainly has admission records for some other Mental Hospitals in Northern Ireland. I don’t see any for Londonderry though in the list I have.

PRONI has minute books and annual reports for “Londonderry Lunatic Asylum” later known as “Londonderry City and County Mental Hospital” in the series of records prefixed HOS/17/7. I suggest you e-mail PRONI to ask if they hold any admission registers for that hospital.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/public-record-office-northern-ireland-proni

[gaffy]

... As there were numerous entries made by the informant M McGuiness I suspect that they were an employee.

Just as an aside, the 1911 Ireland census shows a 33 year old Margaret McGuinness as a nurse in the Lunatic asylum (under house 20.1 in Strand Road, Derry).

[aghadowey]

While there was a post regarding this during 2010 and 2011 I thought I would repost rather than dredge that one up again.

For reference here's the 2010 topic with information about records already given-
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=457849.0

The 2012 topic with information also posted-
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=600740.0

If Margaret had lived until 1911 census was taken it should have listed illness and length of illness.

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Hi Aghadowey,
Many thanks for your response and the link.

The 2012 topic with information also posted-
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=600740.0

Based on the above post, it seems unlikely that the records exist any longer.
Cheers,
Simon

[scanning]

Hi Gaffy,
Many thanks for the information regarding Margaret as it seems very likely that M Guinness would be Margaret.

Just as an aside, the 1911 Ireland census shows a 33 year old Margaret McGuinness as a nurse in the Lunatic asylum (under house 20.1 in Strand Road, Derry).

Cheers,
Simon

[scanning]

Hi Elwyn,
Many thanks for the GRONI link.

PRONI has minute books and annual reports for “Londonderry Lunatic Asylum” later known as “Londonderry City and County Mental Hospital” in the series of records prefixed HOS/17/7. I suggest you e-mail PRONI to ask if they hold any admission registers for that hospital.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/public-record-office-northern-ireland-proni

Based on the 2012 post Aghadowey linked to it seems likely that the records no longer exist, but I will get in touch with them to confirm.

It would be great if they do have the records as I really like to know who the family member is as all of Margaret's known children had emigrated to the US apart from Thomas who was living in Scotland. There is a possible Jennie Canning who is likely a grand-daughter, but she would have only been about 16 or 17 in 1907.

Cheers,
Simon

[Elwyn Soutter]

I had a look at the PRONI e-catalogue and amongst their records for Londonderry Asylum are:

HOS/17/7/8/1/3 & 4 both of which are titled: “Casebook register of male and female patients” c 1895 - 1947 & 1950. Then there’s a whole series of files with the same broad dates entitled “Large file containing patients case notes.” HOS/17/7/8/2/1 onwards.

HOS/17/7/8/2/4 is:
Large file containing patient's case note ledger pages. Some include photographs of patient, covers patients surnames C.”

Might be worth a look?

The records I have mentioned are all shown as closed. That will likely be because the file contains some less than 100 years old ie covering 1924 - 1950 in this case. However records for 1907-1909 should still be accessible. I suggest you make an FOI request to PRONI explaining your connection and asking to see your ancestor’s records.  They usually will extract them (redacting any other information so you just see your ancestors file only).

You can make an FOI request to them by e-mail and there’s no fee.

[scanning]

Hi Elwyn,
Very many thanks for the additional information and reference numbers. I had searched the ecatologue and failed to find any reference to the records you have very kindly posted.

Me and search engines don't see eye to eye.

I had a look at the PRONI e-catalogue and amongst their records for Londonderry Asylum....

You can make an FOI request to them by e-mail and there’s no fee.

I have already used the online Enquiry option from the link you supplied in your original post so I will see what response I get from that query. If the initial response isn't helpful I'll send another with the new HOS references you have supplied. While I doubt there would be a photo of Margaret, just the thought that there could has brought a massive smile to my face.

I can't thank you enough for all of this information!

Simon