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Tracing Your Ancestors
Tracing Your Ancestors in Lunatic Asylums: A Guide for Family Historians
How can you trace forebears who were patients in lunatic asylums and find out about their lives? What sources can you consult to discover their personal histories and gain an insight into their experiences? In this concise, accessible handbook, Michelle Higgs answers these questions. She provides a fascinating introduction to the subject and gives readers the means to explore the records for themselves.
She concentrates on the period from the eighteenth century through to 1948 when the National Health Service was founded and looks in particular at the Victorian era which is the most popular period for research. Using original records, contemporary accounts, photographs, illustrations and case studies of real individuals, she brings the story of the asylums and their patients to life.
Different types of institution are described such as private madhouses, county lunatic asylums, facilities for idiots and imbeciles, and military mental hospitals. Chapters look at the admission procedures and daily routine of patients, plus different kinds of mental illness and how they were treated - for instance, those with depression or mania, criminal lunatics, mothers with puerperal insanity, epileptics and soldiers suffering from shell shock. There are sections on the systems in Scotland and Ireland, as well as England and Wales. Information is provided on all the relevant sources, from wills and the census to casebooks and admission and discharge registers.
She concentrates on the period from the eighteenth century through to 1948 when the National Health Service was founded and looks in particular at the Victorian era which is the most popular period for research. Using original records, contemporary accounts, photographs, illustrations and case studies of real individuals, she brings the story of the asylums and their patients to life.
Different types of institution are described such as private madhouses, county lunatic asylums, facilities for idiots and imbeciles, and military mental hospitals. Chapters look at the admission procedures and daily routine of patients, plus different kinds of mental illness and how they were treated - for instance, those with depression or mania, criminal lunatics, mothers with puerperal insanity, epileptics and soldiers suffering from shell shock. There are sections on the systems in Scotland and Ireland, as well as England and Wales. Information is provided on all the relevant sources, from wills and the census to casebooks and admission and discharge registers.
- GenresNonfiction
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 21, 2019
This is absolutely fascinating and I've learned so much from it.
Written about Victorian lunatic Asylums it's a wealth of information.
Great detail is given is given about asylums,daily diets,beliefs of how the patients should be cared for and tracing ancestors in asylums. Now these are asylums in the UK, none are listed for this time period in the US.
Real life heartbreaking cases are presented detailing daily life on the inside and how different mental illnesses were treated including things today we'd never institutionalize a person for like dementia. Mental illnesses were so misunderstood back then, still are to a degree but people would be left to languish in there for a lifetime.
It went on to explain different types of mental illnesses and how they were treated.
Different types of institution are described such as private madhouses, county lunatic asylums, facilities for idiots and imbeciles, and military mental hospitals.
Expected publication: January 19th 2020 by Pen and Sword Family History.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Written about Victorian lunatic Asylums it's a wealth of information.
Great detail is given is given about asylums,daily diets,beliefs of how the patients should be cared for and tracing ancestors in asylums. Now these are asylums in the UK, none are listed for this time period in the US.
Real life heartbreaking cases are presented detailing daily life on the inside and how different mental illnesses were treated including things today we'd never institutionalize a person for like dementia. Mental illnesses were so misunderstood back then, still are to a degree but people would be left to languish in there for a lifetime.
It went on to explain different types of mental illnesses and how they were treated.
Different types of institution are described such as private madhouses, county lunatic asylums, facilities for idiots and imbeciles, and military mental hospitals.
Expected publication: January 19th 2020 by Pen and Sword Family History.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
September 13, 2019
Higgs provides a highly readable discussion on the institutionalization of British Isles persons suffering from a variety of mental disorders.The majority of institutions discussed are in England, Scotland, or Wales. Higgs shows how attitudes toward the mentally ill evolved over time. The narrative includes several case studies of individuals, providing a list of sources used in each sketch. Near the end she discusses record availability, providing a few examples. As a genealogist, I wish this section had been expanded to include additional record images. Genealogists with family members spending time in an asylum in the United Kingdom will find this book helpful to their research. This review is based on an advance review copy provided through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.
October 10, 2019
Tracing Your Ancestors in Lunatic Asylums
A Guide for Family Historians
By Michelle Higgs
If you are looking for a book about mental illnesses and how they were handled in the British Isles in the 1800’s and early 1900’s then this is the book for you. Michelle has done extensive research on the various places that received patients with all kinds of mental problems. She describes case studies, treatment, for all kinds of patients. It was informative but not what I was expecting when I chose this book to read.
I read 150 pages before I ever came upon anything that remotely referred to how to trace your ancestors who were in Asylums. Everything was about Britain, Scotland, Ireland etc and nothing about any other country. The title and subtitled refer to this books as being a handbook on how to find more information about your ancestors. There were some good sites listed but I was really disappointed with the title of this book.
I would not recommend this book if you are looking for genealogy research assistance.
#TracingYourAncestors InLunaticAsylums#NetGalley
I would like to thank Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are mine alone.
A Guide for Family Historians
By Michelle Higgs
If you are looking for a book about mental illnesses and how they were handled in the British Isles in the 1800’s and early 1900’s then this is the book for you. Michelle has done extensive research on the various places that received patients with all kinds of mental problems. She describes case studies, treatment, for all kinds of patients. It was informative but not what I was expecting when I chose this book to read.
I read 150 pages before I ever came upon anything that remotely referred to how to trace your ancestors who were in Asylums. Everything was about Britain, Scotland, Ireland etc and nothing about any other country. The title and subtitled refer to this books as being a handbook on how to find more information about your ancestors. There were some good sites listed but I was really disappointed with the title of this book.
I would not recommend this book if you are looking for genealogy research assistance.
#TracingYourAncestors InLunaticAsylums#NetGalley
I would like to thank Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are mine alone.
August 29, 2019
This is a very informative, straight forward book which explores the history of mental asylums and many of the people who were held in them.
Not only does it include bios about several people who stayed in these places but it also explains how and why asylums were used. For example I had no idea if you had the slightest bit of a learning disability you could be sent away to one. The conditions and situations these people were subjected to are appalling and it makes you think if it got any better at all.
There are also resources that instruct as the title suggest...Attempting to trace ancestors in these asylums. It's very helpful and the entire thing is interesting albeit sad.
All in all, this is a pretty good guide if you would like to learn more about lunatic asylums. My one complaint is the writing is somewhat dry but overall it's not a bad read :)
Thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy of my ARC.
Not only does it include bios about several people who stayed in these places but it also explains how and why asylums were used. For example I had no idea if you had the slightest bit of a learning disability you could be sent away to one. The conditions and situations these people were subjected to are appalling and it makes you think if it got any better at all.
There are also resources that instruct as the title suggest...Attempting to trace ancestors in these asylums. It's very helpful and the entire thing is interesting albeit sad.
All in all, this is a pretty good guide if you would like to learn more about lunatic asylums. My one complaint is the writing is somewhat dry but overall it's not a bad read :)
Thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy of my ARC.
September 19, 2019
This was more of a book on the history and workings of asylums than it was a guide on tracing your ancestors in asylums. The title does it a disservice, as it's a very interesting book that a lot of people probably won't pick up because of it.
July 18, 2021
Interesting book if you are a history buff in the mental health area. Although, this chronicles the UK, much of the similar situations probably happened in the U.S, as well. Covers the years from just before 1800 through the War years (I and II), the various methods of care and places for those beset by mental ailments is explored. Each chapter also contains stories of individuals who have been hospitalized, etc., with information confirmed by their descendents. Towards the end, the author discusses shell shock, a new mental condition discovered during World War I. The remaining chapters contain excellent sources for the information provided. Very interesting and informative.
November 4, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Tracing Your Ancestors in Lunatic Asylums is a resource and history guide and part of a series for family historians produced by Pen & Sword. Due out 19th Jan 2020, it's 208 pages and will be available in paperback format.
I have always been interested in the personal and family side of history rather than the huge overarching wars and migrations. As a healthcare professional, medical and medical care history has been an interest of mine as well. Most of the content of this book is a well annotated discussion of the care and treatment of people who were institutionalized for mental health problems (as they were defined and understood at the time).
There are numerous case studies included here. They are often heartbreaking; the reality of daily life for many people suffering from mental illness was brutal (and short). The chapter are arranged roughly chronologically with descriptions of care and housing prior to 1800, nineteenth century and 20th century. These are followed by descriptions of the medical understanding of different illnesses, the setup and running of mental institutions of the time, different types of institutions (for the dangerous/criminally ill, developmentally disabled, as well as the treatment of mental illness in the armed forces). There is also a chapter covering different potential sources of information for the researcher trying to uncover information about a relative who might have received care for mental illness in the relatively distant past.
The appendices include an alphabetical glossary, links lists (slanted toward sources in the UK), a bibliography as well as links to modern day memorial and living history museums to visit.
As a history of mental illness and treatment in the British Isles, this book is superlative. I would say it's of moderately limited use to genealogists searching for specific information on family members. It is a poignant testimony to the often heartbreaking realities of mental heathcare in the past.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Tracing Your Ancestors in Lunatic Asylums is a resource and history guide and part of a series for family historians produced by Pen & Sword. Due out 19th Jan 2020, it's 208 pages and will be available in paperback format.
I have always been interested in the personal and family side of history rather than the huge overarching wars and migrations. As a healthcare professional, medical and medical care history has been an interest of mine as well. Most of the content of this book is a well annotated discussion of the care and treatment of people who were institutionalized for mental health problems (as they were defined and understood at the time).
There are numerous case studies included here. They are often heartbreaking; the reality of daily life for many people suffering from mental illness was brutal (and short). The chapter are arranged roughly chronologically with descriptions of care and housing prior to 1800, nineteenth century and 20th century. These are followed by descriptions of the medical understanding of different illnesses, the setup and running of mental institutions of the time, different types of institutions (for the dangerous/criminally ill, developmentally disabled, as well as the treatment of mental illness in the armed forces). There is also a chapter covering different potential sources of information for the researcher trying to uncover information about a relative who might have received care for mental illness in the relatively distant past.
The appendices include an alphabetical glossary, links lists (slanted toward sources in the UK), a bibliography as well as links to modern day memorial and living history museums to visit.
As a history of mental illness and treatment in the British Isles, this book is superlative. I would say it's of moderately limited use to genealogists searching for specific information on family members. It is a poignant testimony to the often heartbreaking realities of mental heathcare in the past.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
September 7, 2019
Was unable to download, but I am a huge fan of tracing my lineage and have actually been working to do so, so anything that gives you more information or help on how to do it tends to be worth the read. Ill give it a 3 because its a fascinating subject forme.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews