Could someone tell me if there is a mental institution in Charleston or close. I am needing to find the records for a relative who passed away in one during the 1970"s any help appreciated. thanks laura -- RUSSELL COUNTY KENTUCKY FRIENDS http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/russellcountyfriends Laura"s Newspapers List http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/laurasnewspaperpost MY HOME PAGE http://www.geocities.com/mamafrost/index.html A.n.d.e.r.s.o.n-B.o.w.l.e.s-B.u.n.c.h-B.l.a.c.k C.o.l.y.e.r-D.e.S.p.a.i.n-F.e.r.r.y-F.r.o.s.t G.r.a.h.a.m-B.u.r.t.o.n-J.a.s.p.e.r-H.u.c.k.a.b.y M.c.C.u.b.b.i.n.s -N.e.a.t-P.a.i.n.t.e.r-R.i.c.h.m.o.n.d R.e.x.r.o.a.t-B.o.l.e.n-Q.u.i.n.n-W.a.r.d-W.a.l.k.e.r W.r.i.g.h.t My biggest brick wall John Frost Born Clinton County Ky-1841 d. 1910 in Clinton County Ky parents were William Frost & Rachael? What was Rachael"s maiden name? mailto:[email protected] mailto:[email protected]

This is the former "insane asylum" at Weston, WV: William R Sharpe Jr Hospital Weston, WV 26452 (304) 269-1210 I hear from someone on another list that there was supposedly another asylum at Fairmont, WV. If so, I suspect that one may have later been changed to Fairmont Emergency Hospital and then Fairmont General Hospital. There may have been other possible hospital locations. Strict laws governing the release of psychiatric records make it impossible for anyone to simply view lists of patients, regardless of how old the records are. In fact, even if you know the name of the patient and when he was there, they are not allowed to even confirm the fact he was ever there unless you can present an overwhelming reason of necessity to a Judge of the Circuit Court and get a Court Order. If these records are important to you (for family medical history), you'll have to file a Petition with the Court. I've already been through this (successfully)and will be glad to help out (privately) if you wish. I'd like to offer a few thoughts for everyone when you hear reports of an ancestor that was institutionalized in an "insane" asylum: Keep in mind how little was known in the field of psychiatry until rather recently and how fast the medical profession, especially psychiatry, is still changing. Many people were "put away" for a wide variety of reasons which may or may not have been linked to actual mental illness as we recognize it today. Many, for better or worse would not be institutionalized today. In light of today's knowledge in the field of psychiatry, a history of mental illness in a family a century ago may explain the various family members since then who may never have been declared mentally ill but have had "significant difficulties" living their lives successfully. It's unfortunate that the same laws that are meant to protect individuals and relations from the stigmas and repurcussions associated with mental illness (still present, though not as bad today) make it so difficult for descendants to have a vital part of their family medical history...especially with the knowledge that many mental illnesses can be hereditary, and many can also be successfully treated. Mental illness is not something to be hidden or ignored in shame. Far more people could be leading happier, safer, and more productive lives with their families if they and their loved ones understood why they have so many problems. A family hiding or ignoring mental illness in their family tree is like a family hiding in bed with the covers over their head as a fire rages hidden in the walls of their house. Good Luck. Diane Larry&Laura wright wrote: > Could someone tell me if there is a mental institution in Charleston or > close. I am needing to find the records for a relative who passed away > in one during the 1970"s any help appreciated. thanks laura > > -- > > > RUSSELL COUNTY KENTUCKY FRIENDS > http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/russellcountyfriends > > Laura"s Newspapers List > http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/laurasnewspaperpost > > MY HOME PAGE > http://www.geocities.com/mamafrost/index.html > > A.n.d.e.r.s.o.n-B.o.w.l.e.s-B.u.n.c.h-B.l.a.c.k > C.o.l.y.e.r-D.e.S.p.a.i.n-F.e.r.r.y-F.r.o.s.t > G.r.a.h.a.m-B.u.r.t.o.n-J.a.s.p.e.r-H.u.c.k.a.b.y > M.c.C.u.b.b.i.n.s -N.e.a.t-P.a.i.n.t.e.r-R.i.c.h.m.o.n.d > R.e.x.r.o.a.t-B.o.l.e.n-Q.u.i.n.n-W.a.r.d-W.a.l.k.e.r > W.r.i.g.h.t > My biggest brick wall > John Frost Born Clinton County Ky-1841 d. 1910 > in Clinton County Ky > parents were William Frost & Rachael? > What was Rachael"s maiden name? > mailto:[email protected] > > mailto:[email protected] > > > > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > > >