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I did a series of portraits at the hospital in the 1980s, some of which are online here (sorry the images are so small, I've been meaning to replace them with better ones for years)-
http://www.chesterwalls.info/gallery/people.html
http://www.bwpics.co.uk/yoliverpool/aged.jpg
Something strange about them pics KH. Well taken though.
And that is some site you've got there. Excellent pics. Brilliant effort.:PDT_Piratz_26:
Keep it up:handclap:
One of my Great great Uncles was in this Hospital in the Victorian times for Alcoholism. I believe he was part of the fabric of the place and manned the gatehouse. He died aged 38 in the 1880s.
Great pic's KH,
The stories those faces could tell! I think I actually recognise one of the women there,and who's brother, was also an inmate! Both were transferred to community houses in Anfield! I'll be looking at the Rainhill site,and though I never worked there,have been in contact with people who did live,and work there!
Ta for the feedback everyone. Much appreciated. I really will try to get the full set of portraits scanned and online soon (I still have the negs and 10X8 prints).
I remember much of the place being in pretty poor condition, peeling paint, broken windows.. there were sparrows flying around inside some wards!
I haven't been back there for years. Has it been entirely redeveloped for housing or do some of the old hospital buildings survive?
You sure that it just wasn't inside your head! LoL :PDT_Aliboronz_24:Quote:
Originally Posted by knowhowe
LOL.:handclap:Quote:
Originally Posted by underworld
When we first got married my wife had an interview for a job at Rainhill as a nurse! She got the job but turned it down because St. Helens Social Services offered her a position as assistant manager at Abbey Road care hostel in Dentons Green...
She knew many of the staff at Rainhill and some of the patients were transferred to Abbey Road in preparation for return to the community!
Hi, i wonder if anyone here can help,
I Think that my Great Great grandfather on my mothers side was admitted to rainhill sometime after 1891 but before 1901,
if its the same person he must have been there for at least 10 years as he apears on the 1901 & 1911 census,
The reason i think this is on the 1901 census he is not living at his marital home and his wife is listed as wife not widow and also the same for the 1911 census however the enumirator has crossed this out and written Head....
So i did a seach on my great, great grandfathers name and the only person i could find on the census, with the same initals, surname, age and birthplace as him was living in Rainhill asylum.
he is listed as "Lunatic" but what would this have meant?
Is there any way i can find out:
1, What this persons full name was?
2, Why he was admitted?
3, How long he would have spent there?
Thanks
Alison
Hi Alison,there is a Rainhill website,run by former staff,who might possibly be able to help,or at least point you in the right direction!Quote:
Originally Posted by AlisonDaviesBell
lunatic was a medical term which came into common usage and then disrepute, not the same meaning as we understand today
Much like imbecile,feeble-mindedness,etc! All miraculously cured,overnight,when the terms were discontinued,in the late 50's,early 60's!Quote:
Originally Posted by bidston
My GreatGrandfather was listed on the 1901 census as being an Imbecile and yet he was listed as a ships engineer ?, always thought that was strange !...Quote:
Originally Posted by wsteve55
HI,
Do you know what the website is called?
Yeah i found it very strange that my great grandfather went from running his own business and owning several propities to being listed as "lunatic"
i also looked at the definition for that time and found the same feeble mindedness etc...
i wonder if he had a stroke or had alzheimer's or something similar, but, he was only 42 on the 1901
census.
Thanks
My Great Grandfather was 45 in 1901 I have to say I was really shocked when I saw imbecile by his name, I wonder what it did mean in 1901 ?