I just followed your advice, Gary and checked out the Lancashire County Lunatic Asylum. Although I didn't find any ancestors ;-)) I was struck by the fact that, although many were described as "lunatic, idiot or imbecile" there were also a great number described simply as "blind". This would appear to have been enough to have one committed. My grandmother became quite senile in the 1950's and was pushed off to a Manchester Asylum. Even in the 1950's. Makes you think. Anyway, thanks for that tip. Brian B Lancashire, UK. brian_bramhall@lineone.net http://website.lineone.net/~brian_bramhall/index.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "gary hodge" <jhdl10848@cableinet.co.uk> To: <STAFFORDSHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2000 9:33 PM Subject: Re: [STS] Burntwood-Walsall > Hi Helen /list > this has just reminded me to post this little titbit,if you have ancesters > you cannot find on the 1881 cds ,do this just enter the first intials of > both the first name and surname only,in the boxes and press search ,why > because virtually all the lunatic asylums used intials only but ,they did > also provide (sometimes the age,occupation and perhaps place born,so if you > get matchs doing this ,just check the rest of the info out to see if it > matchs yours. > I found one for a midmarch listers last week ,but not by doing this though > ,,but i thought i could do it that way ,and it worked too. > > gary hodge > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Helen Swan" <hswan@icon.co.za> > To: <STAFFORDSHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2000 5:05 PM > Subject: [STS] Burntwood-Walsall > > > > Hi list > > What is Burntwood and why would someone be sent there? > > Is/was it an asylum? > > > > Kind Regards > > Helen Swan > > Researching > > SWAN-Dumfries and Durham > > IRVING-Dumfries and Durham > > POTTER-Dumfries > > GIBSON-Durham > > GORDON-Durham > > WHEATLEY-Durham > > EVANS-Staffs > > CRADDOCK-Staffs > > STEVENS-Staffs > > MARTIN-Staffs > > WHITE-Staffs > > > > > > ==== STAFFORDSHIRE Mailing List ==== > > The List Admin is Dave Ogden > > d.ogden@cableinet.co.uk > > > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.211 / Virus Database: 100 - Release Date: 11/14/00 > > > ==== STAFFORDSHIRE Mailing List ==== > The List for the Ancient County of Staffordshire > > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free - checked by AVG anti-virus system . Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.211 / Virus Database: 100 - Release Date: 14/11/2000