I’ve just received copies of my ancestor’s admission papers for several stays in the Bodmin Lunatic Asylum from 1874 - 1886. It was very interesting but one section dealt with whether the illness was hereditary. The first time, the admitting doctor had no patient history and declared that it was not hereditary. The next time, he’d been talking with family members and noted that the illness was hereditary. The doctor’s description of symptoms would fit a diagnosis of postpartum psychosis though since I’m not a medical professional, it’s just a guess. I’m sure there are many other illnesses that it could have been. Anyway, I’m left assuming that there’d been previous instances of mental illness but no evidence. I’d be interested to know (off-list for privacy) if anyone of a similar descent has Victorian family members who were institutionalised for this type of disease. My ancestor was born a BESWETHERICK with links to BATE, COCK and OLVER. TIA, Irene