Donald McDonald / Ann MacLennan.....

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 10:28 pm

Hi Flo
I'm in shock

The people in my tree I mentioned above who were classed as "insane" were:

Catherine Balingall or Goalen, (died 1874 at 78 Bonnygate, Cupar

Janet Balingall, living at 78 Bonnygate, Cupar, died 1879 at 78 Bonnygate, Cupar

The bad news is that the property no longer exists because where it stood is now the entrance to a car park. The old buildings either side are still there though, so I can at least take one of the street which will let you see what the area looked like. Bonnygate is the main street which runs straight through Cupar.

Best wishes (and still in recovery...!)
Lesley

Flo · Post by **Flo** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 10:41 pm

Hi Lesley,
Wow, thats really spooky! What are the chances of that?
I'd still love a photo, thanks.

Do you know of a way to find out if old records still exist? My gg grandmother was classed as a lunatic on the 1901 census, somewhere in Inverness. Presumably some sort of hospital as there were lots of other 'lunatics' living there too, but not sure which. I also know that she died in the Royal Mental Hospital, Aberdeen.

Cheers
Fiona

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 10:59 pm

Hi Flo
I think that if there were any trustees of the insane person's estate appointed then that generated legal papers which you may be able to track down at NAS (National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh) as I was able to do with Catherine Ballingall or Goalen who was mentioned above.

Other than that I'm not really "up" on hospital records but I'm sure someone else may know more.

There have been quite a few queries about Asylums on SP recently so you may be able to find out more by clicking search up the top of the page and putting in "asylum" as your search criteria, or just having a general browse of recent topics.

Best wishes
Lesley

Flo · Post by **Flo** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:01 pm

Hi Lesley,
Thanks, I'll give that a try
Cheers
Fiona

Alison Plenderleith · Post by **Alison Plenderleith** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:00 pm

Hi Lesley,

I'd love a photo of the hospital please.

I went to the Fife archives last year to ascertain whether the Robert Plenderleith who had died in the asylum was 'mine' as there were no details of wife or parents on the death cert. I was able to read the original records of his case but it seemed at that time it wasn't him. Only after leaving and going on to Dunfermline library did I find him on the 1861 census with his new wife who had been named in the records.
I'm glad in a way that I hadn't known it was him at the time as I came out snivelling after reading this sad case. I don't think they'd have appreciated me blubbing over their treasured 140 year old case register if I'd known then who he was.

Many Thanks for your offer, Lesley, it's very kind of you to take the time.

Kind regards, Alison

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:12 pm

Hi Alison
Sorry to hear the records were distressing. I suppose thats the side effect sometimes when we start digging around and become so involved with the past.

No problem to take a detour on my way past tomorrow - hope the weather holds as it a lovely day here today, but being Scotland it could be completely different tomorrow!!

Best wishes
Lesley

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:45 pm

Photos of Stratheden and Bonnygate were taken today and I've emailed them, but I've added one of Stratheden Hospital to my gallery as there must be others who had relatives who ended up there at some time and who may like a picture.

Its at:
http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... p?pos=-236