Hi Anne
I have two people Mary Ellen Pickering, she died in 1933 at the Public Hospital in Dunedin, supposedly though she spent some time at Seacliff, she was epileptic and had had 3 children, one died when she had a fit and dropped her into an open fire, the second was taken away from her and the third child was given to friends to raise.
Also Catherine Bayne she died 19 Aug 1892 at Seacliff
Kate was admitted to Seacliff on 22 August 1890, suffering from mental retardation. She had suffered her first attack of mental shock at the age of 27 years, when her house burnt down. (The fire was believed to be started by her)
Could you shed any light on Mary for me
Thanks Heather