While looking through the 1920 census I came across the "Hospital for the Insane" in one state. There were 148 employees listed, one lodger who seemed to be the wife of an employee, and 1,110 "inmates". I wanted to let people know that the "inmates" of Hospitals for the "insane" were not what we today would call insane or mentally ill. In these hospitals were many people whose spouse was mad at them and wanted to get rid of them. Also, people that were developmentally delayed were there. People with Alzheimer's were there. Some people were there for political reasons. I know of a couple horror stories of people put in "insane" asylums that were not the least bit insane. One notorious hospital in SD had loads of Indians who were assertive and questioned the government agents. In another instance strikers were committed. In one instance, a doctor abused his wife and when she tried to get a divorce, he had her declared insane, took their children away and sent them out of the state. The poor woman was never allowed to see her children again. In an altercation with her lawyer, the only one courageous enough to represent her after the doctor threatened to kill anyone who did, the doctor got killed but she still never got the kids back. These are only a few stories I have heard. If you find your ancestor in a hospital for the insane do not be discouraged. Chances are he/she would not be considered mentally ill today. Also, after the wars, many veterans suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome were housed there. The elderly suffering from dementia were frequently called insane. They were not, of course. Bette