Elgin Asylum

Moray_Lass · Post by **Moray_Lass** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:03 pm

If it is any comfort the locals called it Bilbohall

I wasn't sure they were the same until I googled it and found this

http://tinyurl.com/p43xdn

runmerry · Post by **runmerry** » Wed May 27, 2009 9:05 pm

N.H.S. Grampian archives are at the Victoria Pavilion Woolmanhill the address and other info can be found on their website under library services and archives.

Jen

runmerry · Post by **runmerry** » Wed May 27, 2009 9:17 pm

Sorry should have looked at SCAN first , patient records subject to 100 year closure. The people I was looking for are outwith this so didn't think!

Jen

csa · Post by **csa** » Thu May 28, 2009 10:20 am

Hi

Fiona Watson Health Archivist for Grampian and Highland is extemely knowledgeable and helpful:
f.watson@nhs.net
Also I am not sure how strict the "100 year rule is", but I got a copy of a relative's records, she died in 1945. She died in an Edinburgh psychiatric hospital in tragic circumstances. I even had a phone call from the consultant in charge to go over the records with me first!

So it's really worth persevering - good luck.

Carolyn

Genetrix · Post by **Genetrix** » Thu May 28, 2009 11:28 am

Thanks Jen and Carolyn for your information. I've already contacted Fiona at the NHS Archives in Aberdeen. Apparently the rule is 75 years closure on patient records so I came in under the wire. She's going to see what she can find on John Smith for me. In the meantime, Alan has provided me with some inspection reports on the Elgin Asylum and it seems to have been a very clean and well run place with excellent patient care which is good to know.

Tricia

Roxy · Post by **Roxy** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:32 pm

Tricia,

I work at Kinloss. PM me if you would like a photo of John's headstone.

Roxy

Genetrix · Post by **Genetrix** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:35 pm

Just in case any of you are interested, I heard back from NHS re John Smith. Apparently, he was admitted at age 19 for "Melancholy" due to a fright he received as a child. Can't believe he'd spend 41 years in an Asylum for depression!! Trying to find out more about this "fright". From my records, I notice he had a younger brother who died at 9 months when John would have been only about three years old. Just wonder if there's a connection there. Probably not, but its got my imagination working overtime. Better look for a DC for the baby then.

bleckie · Post by **bleckie** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:44 pm

Hi All

I think I remember a case a few years ago where a person started in an approved school for playing truant from school and when he reached 16 I think he was admitted to an asylum this gentleman eventually managed to be released from the system (in the seventies or eighties) when he was in his sixties and if I remember correctly he acctually wrote a book about his experiances and the BBC did a programme on him or a news item not sure which.

Yours Aye
BruceL

Roxy · Post by **Roxy** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:50 pm

I've been to Kinloss Cemetery and found John Smith. The inscription reads:

Sacred to the memory of Elspet Watson who died at Findhorn 4th July 1857 aged 63 years. Erected by her surviving family. Capt John Smith, born at Portsoy, died at Findhorn 7th Jan'y 1891 aged 72 years and his wife Elspet Wood who died 2nd Nov'r 1899 aged 78 years. Their son John died 2nd April 1919 aged 59 years.

Roxy

Genetrix · Post by **Genetrix** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:09 pm

Hi Roxy: Thanks so much for the picture of the headstone for John and family. I've printed it off and added it to my ever growing binders (three in all so far). I'm calling them my "Begat Books". Still awaiting the documentation from Edinburgh hoping to find out what John's "childhood trauma" was all about.

Thanks, again
Tricia