I am interested in this topic also. I have a gr-grandfather, who, according to family stories, died in an insane asylum in California in 1911. Since he was a immigrant from England, I have hoped that records might have some information about his family or where he came from. I just never have had an idea as to how to proceed. I don't have a clue WHERE in California, and he had a very common name. And, yes, the family did cover it up, only my mother was told, and I'm the only one in my generation who was told. But, they had more of a reason to cover it up, he murdered his wife. Debbie

Debra, Was there any sort of legal proceedings against your g-grandfather? That might indicate where he was placed since obviously he was found he could not be incarcerated for his crime. Another source, albeit a real shot in the dark, is the coroner's inquest regarding the murder. You never know for sure what will be in that report. Good luck to you. Sharon : -----Original Message----- : From: Debra Chapman [mailto:ddchapman@prodigy.net] : Sent: Friday, September 01, 2000 4:23 PM : To: PACHESTE-L@rootsweb.com : Subject: [PACHESTE] Insane asylums : : : I am interested in this topic also. I have a gr-grandfather, who, : according to family stories, died in an insane asylum in California in : 1911. Since he was a immigrant from England, I have hoped that records : might have some information about his family or where he came from. I : just never have had an idea as to how to proceed. I don't have a clue : WHERE in California, and he had a very common name. And, yes, the : family did cover it up, only my mother was told, and I'm the only one in : my generation who was told. But, they had more of a reason to cover it : up, he murdered his wife. : Debbie : : : ==== PACHESTE Mailing List ==== : Stop by our associated website for Chester County Genealogy at : http://www.rootsweb.com/~pacheste/chester.htm : : : :

Hi Debbie, The only California asylum that I know of off hand was Agnews State Asylum for the Insane near San Jose in Santa Clara County. You might try tracking your gr-grandfather in the 1910 census. My gr-gr-uncle turned up as an "inmate" at Agnews in the 1920 census (Agnews was listed as its own district). I haven't followed up with the info so I'm not any help on the next step yet. Good luck. - Mary Helen -----Original Message----- I am interested in this topic also. I have a gr-grandfather, who, according to family stories, died in an insane asylum in California in 1911. I don't have a clue WHERE in California, and he had a very common name.