I am researching an ancestor who is listed in the local records as having died in the "West Chester Asylum." Was this an institution in Chester County? Does anyone know if there are records available from this institution?

You help is greatly appreciated.

There was a Chester County Hospital for the Insane located at Embreeville and Brandywine Creek. I don't know if it is the same.

Good Luck,

Mary

I don't know about the West Chester Asylum, but I evidently had a relative in the Fulton Co., Infirmary. Her name was Catharine Fike, the daughter of Leonard and Catharine France Fike. She was born 1850 In IN, died 1909, Rochester Twp., Fulton Co. IN.
I don't know if this is near what you want or not.
I would love to hear from you if it is.
ORUSH@comcast.net

The name of your ancestor might be helpful. Further, the dates would be helpful. Embreeville is the most contemporary place, but there was one on Market street, but the date will be the key.

Look at the Chester County Archives site where you can search on the surname; http://dsf.chesco.org/archives/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=609990

and also check the Chester County Historical Society for more information on the Market street asylum. http://www.cchs-pa.org/index.php

I don't know what I have to offer except that the Embreeville facility is the county facility and is no longer in use--it went from mental health to mental retardation and then ended However I do remember a facility on Marshall St and Franklin St--no longer there I think--from 1958 to 1968 I was a young nurse at Chester Co Hospital on Marshall St--the original hospital was Marshall at Franklin--and in the years I worked at CCH the original building was run by Devereux Foundation--for retarded patients --somehow I think it may have been for mental health at a previous time. I have a vague memory of a small place on Miner St as well--no longer there --laws were changed maybe 1970 or so that changed a lot--now we have units in general hospitals where acute care is given for mentally ill--and most of the chronically ill are in group homes--50 yrs ago that was not the case