You might wish to read the article in the online version of The Handbook of Texas, located at this address, for some history of the hospital: http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/ (Search on Austin State Hospital) Here's the Austin State Hospital homepage: http://www.mhmr.state.tx.us/ashhrs/default.htm In addition, I found that the reference and documents section of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (located in Austin) has a file on the Austin State Hospital in its vertical files. These vertical files must be viewed in person in Austin, apparently. The index I found gave no indication of what is in the file for the hospital, but I doubt that there are any patient records. I also found a book about the hospital. It is entitled Life at the Texas State Lunatic Asylum, 1857-1997 and is by Sarah C. Sitton. It sells for 34.95 (ouch). It's listed with www.amazon.com or you can go here for more info: http://www.tamu.edu/upress/books/1999/sitton.htm I suppose you could call, write or fax the Austin State Hospital and ask about old records. Here's the contact info: Austin State Hospital 4110 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX 78751 Phone: 512/452-0381 Fax: 512/323-6150 Good luck! Brit Ferguson (Also in Stephenville TX) -----Original Message----- From: Kathy Tate <ktate@geocities.com> To: TXERATH-L@rootsweb.com <TXERATH-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, April 29, 1999 2:03 PM Subject: [ERATH] state asylum >Does anyone know anything about the Texas State Asylum that was in >Austin in the early 1900's? And, if so, where can I find information >about it? > >Also, I always thought the old (1902 or so) "lunacy" records were public >documents but was recently told I had to have a court order to look at >those. Is that right? > >Thanks, >Kathy Tate >Stephenville, TX >