Hello there.   In the early part of the twentieth century, two of my ancestors (my paternal great-grandmother and her son) died here. I would now like to find out more about the asylum and would welcome recommendations on books that I might read or purchase.   Thank you.   Regards.   Adrian. 

Hi Adrian, I'm sure that when I was last at the Leicestershire Record Office they had a book on sale that was about Leicestershire asylums. Unfortunately, I can't remember the title, but I'm sure they would be able to tell you. You can contact them at recordoffice@leics.gov.uk The records themselves are subject to closure restrictions. I think it is 100 years, but again my memory is not what it was ;-) If you can access the records (they are not online - it needs a personal visit or to hire a researcher), they can be fascinating. For example, here is the record of William QUAIL, who chased his wife with an axe, : Shown in register of Carlton Hayes patients, DE 3533/145 No. 3970, shown as admitted from Loughborough on 28th June 1879. Then shown on 15th Nov 1879, under deaths and discharges, as "c" (cured ?). No. 4054, shown as admitted from Loughborough on 2nd March 1880 Case Book DE 3533/195 (Apr 1877 - Sep 1880) gives details No. 3970: confirmed date of admission as 28th June 1879. Age 35, married, 7 children, duration of attack: 1 month, if first attack: yes, residence Loughborough By order of Edward H Warner esq, J.P. J Riley R.O. Loughborough Names of medical certifier W.G. Palmer, M.K.C.S. Nearest relative: Mary Ann Quail (wife), Gladstone St., Loughborough. Occupation: Iron Moulder Character: Good Religion: Roman Catholic Assigned Causes: Moral: none Physical: Privation - Ill health Hereditary: Yes, an Aunt was an inmate here Physical State Height 5' 1 1/2" Weight 8.1 (stone.pounds) Certificate: His manner is very depressed, he is now recovering from injuries to his head, inflicted by himself with a gorse hook, in attempting to destroy himself. A very small man with a pale face & blank expression - 4 or 5 half healed incised wounds over frontal bone - has a goatee beard - short dark hair of sandy complexion - tongue coated - bowels ???? (cushin ?) - appetite fairly good - lungs & heart presenting nothing abnormal. Diagnosis Melancholia History - has been ill for some months. complained of back and his head. Has not been in good work for some months. Father intempate. No decline in family. Mental condition - reserved, silent, inoffensive, senses dull, attention weak - he repeats all that is said to him, once or twice as if he could not hear it or take it in at once - suffers from rage apprehensions, attention also wandering - lost again in a minute (?) after answering - complains of lightness & pain in head now at times - unoccupied (?) in any way. Best wishes, Mike Gould -----Original Message----- From: leicestershire-plus-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:leicestershire-plus-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of adriangardner1@btinternet.com Sent: 08 September 2013 12:26 To: Leicestershire-Plus@rootsweb.com Subject: [LEI] Leicester Borough Asylum. Hello there.   In the early part of the twentieth century, two of my ancestors (my paternal great-grandmother and her son) died here. I would now like to find out more about the asylum and would welcome recommendations on books that I might read or purchase.   Thank you.   Regards.   Adrian.