Rydalmere Mental Hospital

[MissCreant]

I have a relative who passed away in Rydalmere Hospital in 1919.

I am considering applying for his records.  He never married, and I can't find a death/funeral notice for him (perhaps this was not done?), nor can I find a probate.

Just curious to see if anyone has done this before? I feel a tad morbid about it. But was thinking I might get a next of kin from the records.

Just for the record - I have his Death Certificate and it states his name as Maurice Gallon aged 70yrs died 29 Jan 1919.
He was buried at Rookwood RC Cemetery on 31st Jan 1919. His death was certified by FW Corbett, Clerk Mental Hospital.

MC

[sparrett]

Hi

Thought I should put these on the board in case they are relevant.

I do not see a  marriage immediately, but here are 2 births with his name as father......

reg11681 In 1871    GALLON,    MICHAEL . father MAURICE mother JOANNA at  KIAMA   

reg4076 in 1865    GALLON ,   JOHN  father MAURICE mother   CATHERINE  at KIAMA


Sue

ADDING
Bit of an accident to him at the railways while he was guard.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15359592?searchTerm="maurice gallon"   

[maggbill]

Hi MC,

Sorry I can't give you any info re Rydalmere Hospital records.

I did however obtain the Psychiatric Hospital records of my great grand mother in Scotland.  Not a huge amount of detail on them, but some of the info given could be seen to be quite personal, and maybe initially a bit distressing to read.  From her records, it would appear that she suffered from what could have been post natal depression on various occasions - familiar story for those times - multiple pregnancies, poverty etc. etc.  I think my mother might have been distressed to know what a hard life her grandmother had - and I suppose you have to take into consideration the feelings of other family members.  I certainly however did not regret obtaining the records, - and if nothing else, they at least really, really made me appreciate what an easy life we have these days!   Good luck with your research!

[maidmarianoops]

i hope his helps
sylvia

Maurice Gallon
Death 1919
Death New South Wales
Father William Gallon
Mother Bridget
1919
Ryde New South Wales
Reg 4249


http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/resources-for/historians/asylum-records

Rydalmere Psychiatric Centre operated c.1888-
Surviving records cover c.1888-1985
In 1888 the Protestant Orphan School buildings became the Rydalmere Hospital for the Insane, which operated as a branch of the Parramatta Hospital for the Insane until 1891. At this early stage patients came from either Parramatta or Gladesville Asylums. Between 1888-95 the hospital treated only male patients before taking in female patients from 1895.
Some legal files date back to 1855.

[Annig]

Hi Sylvia

I am also trying to get records for my great uncle who was a patient at Rydalmere Mental Hospital in 1917, he never married and has no death cert or probate as (it was thought by his family) he committed suiced and a body was never found. I have been able to find out information on him from probates of his siblings etc.  I called around and was told it is very difficult to obtain patient records without a death cert. All records are closed for 110 years unless you can prove that your related to the patient. I'm sorry I cant give you any more than that, let me know how you go.

[MissCreant]

Thanks for all your replies.

I believe the "Gallon" surname should be '"Gallen".

His father was William Gallon (Gallen) and Bridget Moy, and he was born in Donegal
Ireland abt 1849 (from the age on his death cert), and has been in NSW 26yrs.

I'm aware of the Gallon/Gallens in Kiama but not sure of a direct link to this family. I do have some siblings for him already: Patrick Gallen  d.1927 Lismore, and Mary Shiels (nee Gallen).
MC

[Miss May]

Hi MC

I have actually gone to the archives and found my rels records at the State archives from when he was an elderly patient at Gladesville - one of the other large institutions of the time here. The privacy laws are incredibly strict here and I was only allowed access because he had died more than 110 yrs ago.

Since your rellie comes in under that time, you have to make an application to the NSW Dept of Health who administer access to records less than 110 yrs.

Write to:
The Records Manager, NSW Health, Locked Mail Bag 961, North Sydney, NSW 2059 Tel: 006129399000

NSW Health also have info here for this purpose: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/psychaccess/index.html

Also, the nomenclature of the time means that non-psych patients e.g. elderly/frail without other means of care, were admitted into psychiatric hospitals. Hope this helps and good luck. I found the experience was very enlightening and gave me some really personal details of my rellie in his last weeks, that I would otherwise not have known.

Best

Miss May

[cupcake]

Hi Miss May,

Was reading your post regarding hospital records and, found it helpful.

I have written to the NSW Health Dept. hoping to be granted access to hospital records for 1955.

Do have his death Transcript. He never married and, no death/funeral notice for him. As far as I know he is buried in Rookwood Presbyterian Cemetery.

It is sad that someone should die alone with out family for whatever reason. So, getting access to his records, would possibily give me some personal details.

cupcake

[majm]

Hi Cupcake,

Obviously I am not Miss May, but while I hope you can, I doubt you would get access to any NSW hospital patient records for 1955.  Please do let us all know of your success or otherwise.   


I have found that there's a 110 year rule regarding accessing to files associated with NSW Health Dept files, and that the 110 years dates from the date of the most recent entry in the file.  Bear in mind that it is possible that more than one patient's records are in a file, so it is from the most recent date, which can be years after the death of the earliest patient mentioned in a file.  I have also found further hesitation when responding to their question "why do you seek access" ... it is seems to me that the NSW Health do not find my answer "for the purposes of private study of my family history" a sufficient reason.

Your forebear who was in hospital in 1955, and who later died alone ...  I notice you have not mentioned his name on this particular thread.  Have you considered starting a thread on the Australian Board about him?  If so, did you mention that  his hospitalisation was at Rydalmere, near Parramatta NSW?   Does his d.c. mention he had been a patient at Rydalmere?
  
http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/resources-for/historians/asylum-records 

Cheers,  JM