Forest of Dean FHT Forum - Gloucester County Lunatic Asylum

Gloucester County Lunatic Asylum (reply)

Strok — Thu, 29 May 2014 09:29:01 +0000

Hi there! :D Blast from the past with that entry! As for what I found, I didn't find a whole lot. I found an old leaflet with a brief description of his symptoms and why he was there in the first place, plus a rake of old ledgers to say that he was there, but other than that, not much else.

Might you have found more? I know he went wandering the streets of where he lived with a hatchet before they banged him up...!

Gloucester County Lunatic Asylum (reply)

Steve Rolfe — Wed, 28 May 2014 17:04:07 +0000

Sorry that this may seem very late after your original message.
Were you able to find the information you were looking for?

I'm currently researching Coney Hill Hospital and came across your details by accident.

Steve

Barnwood / Coney Hill records (reply)

Dorothy2 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:26:49 +0000

The GRC seem unwilling to allow access to these records, perhaps being unsure of the rules on access, but for me finally decided that the 100 year rule applied because the entry concerned was dated 1899 and that book was closed shortly afterwards. I would think that were the record in the book continued beyond 1908 they are unhappy. They need to go downstairs and look.

Barnwood / Coney Hill records (reply)

slowhands — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:26:00 +0000

Coney Hill Hospital

Date founded: 1880
Date opened: 1883
Date closed: 31st December 1994
Location: Coney Hill Road, Coney Hill, Gloucester, Gloucestershire

The physical patient and staff records are "supposed" to be at Gloucestershire Archives
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives
Clarence Row
Alvin St, Gloucester, GL1 3DW
00 44 1452 425295
archives AT gloucestershire.gov.uk

http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/details.asp?id=333&page=20

Gloucester County Lunatic Asylum (reply)

dianeh — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:30:47 +0000

I have tried to find records for the Barnwood asylum on line also but with no luck. Many moons ago I did email the Gloucester City Council (I think) but never received a reply.

My 4 x Gt Uncle ended up there and is listed in the 1901 census as a "lunatic" - charming! So at the risk at sounding cheeky, if you see any references to one Henry John Bateman b 1860 in South Cerney, I would love to hear about it.

I'm in New Zealand so if you need anything from here please let me know.

Good luck with your search.

Cheers

Diane

Gloucester County Lunatic Asylums; Horton Rd -> Barnwood (reply)

slowhands — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:45:41 +0000

Gloucestershire Asylums

First County Lunatic Asylum

Originally founded as Gloucester Lunatic Asylum in 1793.
The Old County and City Lunatic Asylum, opened July 21st 1823, at Horton Road, Wotton, on rising ground, about half a mile from the City of Gloucester, in its own grounds of 45 acres, and affords extensive views of the surrounding country. The centre of the building is in form of a semi circle, which with the wings originally extended 250 feet, but additional buildings, including a chapel (erected 1873), have since been erected. There is accommodation for 640 patients

The Chapel on site which was built on the site of a previous chapel in 1873, remained in use until 1980's when it was turned into Offices. The Asylum later became known as Horton Road Hospital.

Second County Lunatic Asylum

The new County Asylum at Barnwood, opened in 1883, occupies a charming situation at the foot of some outlying spurs of the cotswolds, and is built on the block system. It is intended to hold from 1,000 to 1,200 patients, but the blocks at present erected will hold only about 400.

The site had its own Farm and Water Mill. Later became known as Coney Hill Hospital, and has now closed.

There was also a private hospital in Barnwood at Barnwood House.

Gloucester County Lunatic Asylum

Strok — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:49:23 +0000

My great great grandfather on my mother's side, William Overbury (b. 28oct1841 minsterworth, d. 27nov1881, County Lunatic Asylum, Kingsholm?, Gloucester) died in, as stated, the County Lunatic Asylum.

I'm shortly going to be going down to the Archives center in Gloucester to have a look at the asylum records. I have seen the names of the some of them that may be useful in the national archives (with ref numbers) but I'm somewhat shooting blind as to what I should look for? Anyone with any ideas? :( Also, any online records would be great too...

Thanks muchly!!

EDIT: I should also add that he died of a 'valvular heart condition'. If that's of any use.