Rydalmere Mental Hospital

[cupcake]

Yes, I realise I may not not get access to his files, due to the 110 year rule.

However, if you don't enquire, you'll never know.

I did have a thread on the Australian Board for George R Kennedy but unable to find him. I only had his death date and place of death, Ryde.

So I sent for his Death Transcript which gives me the relevent details. He died at Rydalmere Mental Hospital. They said I could try for for his hospital records and gave me the address to write to and, also the name of the person to do the research on my behalf.

I shall let you know what happens.

cupcake

[Miss May]

Hi Cupcake and JM

I recall from the old NSW Dept of Health website that family research was mentioned as a valid reason to request access to records. If familial medical traits are suspected there might be even stronger grounds to allow access. I also think that like anything to do with the DoH, it is going to come down to who reads your application and what mood they are in on the day... 

I note also that the link to NSW DoH I gave on this thread a year ago (which is also the same link currently contained within the NSW Records link that JM kindly gave you), is no longer valid. The NSW DoH has only recently become the Ministry of Health (goodness knows what that little change has cost us all in new stationery  ).

I have searched their new site for the same info regarding files of relatives and archive records, but was unable to find it tonight. I do hope that you managed to read the info off the old site before it was taken down. I am confident that the postal address remains the same for formal applications to access records as the new MoH is still based in North Sydney.

I'd be very keen to know too how you get on. Best of luck

Kind regards
Miss May

[cupcake]

Hi Miss May,

You could be right regarding who reads your application, on the day. I can only wait for a reply and hope it is good.

I noticed the address is no longer available. Yes, the letter I sent was to North Sydney.

Thank you and will let you know how I get on.

cupcake

[cupcake]

Perhaps I should mention, I have information on George's parents.

But, on George's death Transcript - Parents Unknown - Place of Birth Unknown,  they have is age, which is correct. Usual Residence Unknown.

No mention of how long he was in Rydalmere.

cupcake

[majm]

Hi Cupcake,

I will try to answer by posting on your George Riddell KENNEDY thread http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,550309.new.html#new

Cheers,  JM

[Miss May]

Hi Cupcake

Have just read JMs addition to your Kennedy thread.

As a thought, try also searching the name of the informant on the dc via the newspaper archives at the NLA. I had some joy on that front for some background info as to the what life was like as a Gladesville patient in the 1880s. The medical superintendant at Gladesville Asylum at the time (also the informant on my rellie's dc) used to advertise concerts etc to entertain the residents in the Sydney Morning Herald. I was surprised to find this and it indicated a lot more compassion for the patients than I had otherwise imagined. You might find something similar for Rydalmere

Kind regards

[kasden]

Hi..I had relatives who died in psche hospitals too...investigations showed that they had suffered strokes and as there was very little in the way of rehabilitation units in those days they were admitted to mental hospital...

[majm]

I agree Kasden, in fact I am quite sure that one of the main roles for Rydalmere was simply that of caring for people who were no longer able to care for themselves.   I tend to think that our 21st century understanding of the expression "Mental Hospital" is quite different from the general public's understanding in the immediate post WWII of the roles and responsibilities for "Mental Hospitals" in those times.

Cheers,  JM

[cupcake]

Thank you all for your help.

cupcake