Hi, I know that the Federal Government will not release censuses until 72 years after the census was taken in order to guard the personal and medical information which it contains, i.e. diagnoses like "lunatic", "idiot", etc.... My question is what about the records of state hospitals like Doretha Dix which dates back to the 1800s. I work in the Public Health field and have seen some older "social evaluations" of some patients. These Social Evaluations go into great detail, i.e. giving names of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, etc... giving social economical information and telling about the environment in which they lived [a pot of gold for genealogist]. Now I know that these mental health records are under a protected class of records due to their sensitive nature, but what I would like to know is will they ever age out as the census records does and then become available for research??? I have been told that one of my early relatives was admitted to Doretha Dix Hospital back in the middle 1800s, and if I could at least get hold of copies of the social evaluations, then maybe some of my unanswered questions could be answered. Also, I am sure that they would have information on those inmates who died on the Hill back in the 1800s as well. Who knows, maybe it will help me understand why I am a Genealogy Nut! Think about, help if you can! Sam West Lumberton, Robeson Co NC

Care facilities in NC (the only state where I've inquired) vary in their response. One orphanage willingly gave me intake records for my relatives, whereas another one would only confirm the person's presence - I'd have had to provide a death certificate to get anything more. Both of these were private. Duke University Hospital checked with their legal department when I asked about some old records and were apparently told it was OK to provide information, because they came back to me with the info that there was no record to be found! State hospitals, on the other hand, might be more reticent. Having worked for such a faciltiy once in another state, I know that they can be bound by rules and regs that don't necessarily cover private institutions. There are also sometimes legal proceedings involved which may be sealed. I'd suggest you write (or email) the institution in question, explain what and why you want to know, give the necessary background info on the relative, and see what they say. It never hurts to ask! Joanne Gaudio

I have requested records from Dorothea Dix for someone in my family and they weren't as far back as the 1800's. This direct relative of mine was deceased but I still had to provide proof of relation and a signed consent form. They told me that records from 1936-1965 had been sent to the Archives and History in 1972 but after checking with them, that those records had been transferred back to Dorothea Dix and they had been destroyed. They said the state requires they retain records for 25 yrs. after the last discharge date. The only thing I received were copies of 2 cards with admission dates, a "correspondent" w/address, county of residence, discharge date and diagnosis. Something is better than nothing I suppose. Such a shame for those of us trying to uncover family information. I don't know about the records from the 1880's but I would think you should be able to get them, if they are available. I would definitely write them (they move later this year or early next year) to see what, if anything, is available. Good Luck! Marie Cooke