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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Angus (Forfarshire) => Topic started by: smcb on Friday 11 March 11 15:07 GMT (UK)
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Hi
I am wondering if anyone knows where I would get information regarding a patient being at Montrose Royal Lunatic asylum in 1871. I have been able to find the 1871 census for William Mcbay, inmate at the asylum on Ancestry, however I have tried to check and see if anything comes up in google. I know that it had a hospital added but the word "inmate" gives me reason to wonder what William's handicap may be. Could he have mental health issues rather than him being a patient in the hospital say for being unwell. It is the word of "inmate" that throws me. However in the 1881 census he is back staying with his family.
Would I have to write to Angus Council to find out?? any suggestions would be most welcome!
regards
Suzie
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Some interesting info -
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/museum/medical/exhibitions/sunnydays.htm
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Would I have to write to Angus Council to find out?? any suggestions would be most welcome!
I'd start with NHS Tayside http://www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/ and ask (a) whether or not they have the patient records from Montrose (b) if so where are they and how can they be accessed or (c) if not, do they know where they are?
You could also ask Angus Archives www.angus.gov.uk/history/archives
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Thank you Forfarian for you suggestion, I shall certainly get in touch with the authority and see what details they can give me.
regards
suzie
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Hi
This is an address I tried Archive Services, Tower Building, University of Dundee, DD1 4HN they couldn't give me the information I wanted because of the data protection laws although he entered Sunnyside Asylum in 1881.
Weemanswife
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This is an address I tried Archive Services, Tower Building, University of Dundee, DD1 4HN they couldn't give me the information I wanted because of the data protection laws although he entered Sunnyside Asylum in 1881.
Data protection laws don't apply to people who are long dead. It is quite normal for hospital records, especially those relating to patients in mental hospitals, to be closed for 100 years like the census, but if he died before 1911 I am pretty sure they can't use data protection as an excuse for withholding access.
If you are really keen to see his records, I suggest that you need to bone up a bit on the laws relating to data protection and freedom of information as they relate to people who died long ago, and get back to them with a formal request under the FoI act.
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Hi
The person whose records I was after entered Montrose Royal Lunatic Asylum (Sunnyside) on the 21 Oct. 1881 aged 25 and died there on 4th May 1928.
Weemanswife
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Ah, well, only 17 years to wait then.
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Is Montrose Royal Lunatic Asylum the same as Sunnyside Asylum? I had a relative die there in 1871, contacted them as there is a museum of psychiatry there and received a photocopy of the case notes. A friend who is a psychiatrist read the notes and suggested that he probably died of meningitis and was not mad at all! Hope this helps.
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Is Montrose Royal Lunatic Asylum the same as Sunnyside Asylum?
Yes.
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You can apply for special permission for access to the records prior to the deadline of a hundred years. Was able to access records of great uncle who died in the 1970s, but I did have original copies of requests regarding his original admission in 1930s. Not all records will still exist however. If you just want a reason for admission and a diagnosis and a general overview they may release the information without giving you access to the complete file. Good luck.
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Is Montrose Royal Lunatic Asylum the same as Sunnyside Asylum? I had a relative die there in 1871, contacted them as there is a museum of psychiatry there and received a photocopy of the case notes. A friend who is a psychiatrist read the notes and suggested that he probably died of meningitis and was not mad at all! Hope this helps.
Harrow - How did you contact them? I saw they closed :( I would like to do the same - thank you!
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I am trying to get very basic info regarding my grandfather who was admitted in1923 and died there in 1972. As I am next of kin his wife and children are deceased I would like to know why he was admitted. Hoping someone out there has some ideas.
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There might be some problems with that because most hospital and asylum records are normally closed for 100 years.
I do not know whether there is flexibility to allow close family members access to more recent records, or where the information might help to establish a family pattern of a particular ailment which might be relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of living relatives.
Start with NHS Tayside Archives, which are held at the University of Dundee
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/archives/thecollections/
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The rules regarding access to medical records (especially those relating to mental health) can be confusing. In general, adult patient records are closed for 75 years following the date of death, while those of minors are closed for 100 years. If it can't be proven when someone died, then records will remain closed for 100 years.
Some archives have procedures in place for accessing records within those times, and will make decisions on a case-by-case basis. You'll need to see what procedures NHS Tayside have in place for their records which are held by the University of Dundee Archives. The Archives will be able to advise you on how to go about requesting access.
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Thank you both for your help. Sad to say NHS Tayside are sticking to the 100 year rule which is unfortunate as 2 g.g.grandchildren have medical issues that may relate to their g.g.grandfather condition. As I am in Australia it is very hard to speak with Tayside personally :-[