Ann, Mary, et al- In the 1980's I was allowed access to the records at the Ionia State Mental Hospital for a particular surname. I do not have the correspondence that I initiated but I think I wrote to the MI. State Dept. of Health in Lansing and inquired about the procedure. They answered my inquiry & then sent a letter granting me permission to view the records. I went to Lansing with the letter in hand & it may have been the MI. State Library or the Archives bldg. I just don't recall now. Upon showing them the letter of permission they brought a book to me with a list of patients with the surname I was researching. None of the info. fit the criteria for the person I was interested in but if I had found that person on the list they then would have given me access to the records. You might write or call Lansing & make an inquiry about obtaining the records. Hope this is helpful. Pat Corona in Glen Ellyn, DuPage Co. IL.