TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Mentally Ill Folks Harder To Research

ADVERTISEMENT

By SHARON TATE MOODY

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 18, 2009

Loony. Retarded. Goofy. Touched. All words that reflect historical attitudes toward the mentally ill.

Mental illness touches most families, but even in today's enlightened society, it is sometimes a source of shame. So it's not surprising that records of ancestors who were labeled and institutionalized might be difficult for inquiring genealogists to find.

As with most aspects of genealogy, discovery of an ancestor or relative classified or institutionalized with a mental condition sends researchers off to learn more.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned my own research into my Stalcup ancestors. As often happens, another researcher of that surname - who turned out to be a ninth cousin once removed - contacted me with a story about one of his interesting collateral relatives.

He introduced me to his widowed third great-grandmother who had given birth to an illegitimate child during the Civil War era. Intrigued by his story and driven by my curiosity, I struck off in search of information about this woman, Rebecca Stalcup.

I ordered copies of court records from Roane County, Tenn., and learned that in 1865, she had named a local Confederate hero, Jesse Matlock, as her baby's father. In a formal bastardy hearing, she accused him of "begetting her with child."

Although the court records do not identify the offspring, except as "a male child born 12 March 1862," according to my cousin's family lore, Rebecca extracted revenge on her erstwhile paramour by naming the child Abraham Lincoln Stalcup.

Using what should be a routine initial activity for researching any ancestor online, I Googled "Abraham Lincoln Stalcup." I learned his demise was as sad as his birth: He was buried at Eastern State Hospital Cemetery in Knox County.

Although his grave is not marked, researchers learned through a death certificate that Lincoln was interred there. He had died at the state hospital (now known as the Lakeshore Mental Health Institute) on Oct. 30, 1934.

I found Lincoln listed in the 1930 census as a patient at Eastern State Hospital for the Insane. A site called "Ghosts and Spirits of Tennessee" says that an evil entity is said to haunt the original hospital building. This apparently was based on tales of abuse and mistreatment that allegedly occurred there.

I netted this information simply out of curiosity, but many of you may have reason to conduct serious research, either to verify family lore or as a last-ditch effort to find a relative who has disappeared from the usual family records.

Our ancestors did not understand mental illness as we do today. Treatments for people classified as insane included chaining them naked in cells, performing lobotomies and inducing electric shock. Many families, so ashamed of their misunderstood relatives, simply signed papers and walked away. Their names might have been recalled in family circles but only in whispers and with harsh looks directing silence.

So how do you find something that families may have gone to great lengths to hide? Next week we'll explore some ways.

Becoming A Census Taker?

As researchers, we frequently cuss the census taker for his poor handwriting and other errors. Ever thought of walking in his shoes before you complain? Today's genealogists have the opportunity to participate in the census by collecting the data we researchers use so frequently in our work.

The work, which has already begun, includes locating households, updating address lists, explaining the census to others, conducting interviews with respondents and recording the responses on paper or a hand-held computer. Workers are paid by the hour and can work 20 to 40 hours a week, including weekends and evenings. The jobs will last from five to 10 weeks.

Applicants must take a test to qualify. If you think this experience might be for you, call 1-866-861-2010. Imagine the history you'll be making - and how many researchers in the year 2082 (the census is not available to the public for 72 years) will use your work to find their ancestors.

Making A Contribution

If you have time to spare but being a census taker isn't for you, consider joining the Ancestry.com World Archives project. This is an initiative where volunteers are indexing selected databases. Those who key at least 900 records a quarter will get access to all collections keyed through this project and a 10 percent discount when they renew their Ancestry membership.

Get more details and download project software at www.ancestry.com/worldarchives project.

State Censuses

Most genealogists know the value of the federal census and are frustrated with the privacy laws that protect them for 72 years. Few, however, know that some state censuses are not protected by such restrictions. Ancestry.com recently added the 1935 and 1945 Florida state censuses to its database.

In announcing the digitalization of these two censuses, Ancestry pointed out a couple of well-known Floridians. In 1945, Fay Dunaway was 4 years old and living in Leon County with her parents and brother, 2-year-old Mack. Her father, John, was in the Army, and her mother was involved "in defense work."

Meanwhile that same year down in Dade County, future U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno was a 6-year-old first-grader in the household of her reporter father, Henry.

Try this link to find other nonfederal censuses that might help fill the holes in your research: www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/default.aspx?rt=35....

Sharon Tate Moody is past president of the Association of Professional Genealogists. Send your genealogy questions and event announcements to her in care of Getaway, The Tampa Tribune, 200 S. Parker St., Tampa FL 33606, or e-mail stmoody

0720@mac.com. She regrets that she is unable to assist with personal research and cannot respond to requests for locating or researching specific individuals.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT