Lancaster Lunatic Asylum

[Pennines]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone happen to know please, whether the records for inmates at Lancaster Lunatic Asylum are held anywhere? This is for the 1890s.

The records for Whiitingham Asylum are kept at Lancashire Archives, but I can't see anything for Lancaster records there.

Many thanks.

[rosie99]

If it comes under Lancaster Moor Asylum the the national archives suggest records are at Lancashire archives. 

[Pennines]

Oh thank you Rosie - it's good to know the correct name. I just thought it was 'Lancaster'.

If I still can't find anything I'll contact Lancashire Archives tomorrow to see if they have these records.

[rosie99]

I am not sure that it is the same place, the national archives just calls it Lancaster Asylum. 

[Pennines]

Yes - I had looked at the National Archives - anyway I will still contact Lancashire Archives.

I couldn't see any admission or reception orders for Lancaster on LANCAT - although I know Whittingham Asylum papers are there.

We'll see. Thank you Rosie.

[Gillg]

Also in Lancaster there was the Royal Albert Hospital on Ashton Road which was opened in 1870 as an institution for young people with learning disabilities.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Albert_Hospital   In 1913 a law was passed requiring such institutions to accept mainly older patients with mental disabilities.  It closed in 1996 following the introduction of the Care in the Community Act and is now an Islamic school for Muslim girls.

[Pennines]

Thank you Gillg -- what a very impressive building!!

I have emailed Lancashire Archives - the admission details are on Ancestry, in the 'Lunacy Patients Admission Registers'! So I have the date and admission number. I suspect it was the Lancaster Asylum - as that is what is given on this record.

They seemed to take in patients from various towns -- it wasn't just that there was an enormous demand in Lancaster itself!!

[rosie99]

I have a person from OH's family that went in there, was living at Skerton.  She had recently given birth and stayed there until she died.  I must look and see what else I can find out about her.

OH lived very close to the asylum when he was very young 

[Pennines]

How sad Rosie, about the lady who had to be admitted after childbirth - also a coincidence that your husband lived near to the Asylum.

In addition - yet another coincidence, is that, I occasionally had to go to Lancaster for work reasons (back in the day of quill pens!!) Little did I realise, that years later I would be trying to find the town's Asylum records!

I have emailed Lancashire Archives.