Looking for my Grandmother' history

napsbury hospital

By Rob Shirfield

My grandmother died in Napsbury hospital in approximately 1954 she was a long-term patient for about 40 years, I would like to find out more about her illness and don’t know if her records still exist and if they do can I have access to them? Can someone out there help me?

This page was added on 22/08/2014.

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  • The National Archives and the London Metropolitan Archives both have has useful research guideswhich may assist in locating records.
    TNA:
    https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides-keywords/?show=keywords&keyword-letter=h&keyword=hospitals#step-three

    LMA:
    https://search.lma.gov.uk/

    By name withheld (05/06/2021)
  • My grandmother was admitted to Napsbury in 1930 when she was 34 years old. In the 1970s she was sent to Mount Vernon Hospital for cancer treatment but she died there. It was very helpful to receive information from the admission registers held at the London Metropolitan Archives — for a research fee.
    Her brother, who has long since passed away, was the informant on her death registration but nobody on that side of the family remembers, or maybe they never knew, whether she was cremated or buried, let alone whether that was handled by the family, the hospital or the Council.

    It is heart-breaking to read about so many other people looking to complete the life-story of their grandparent. It would be helpful to hear from someone who remembers what was usually done back in the ’60s or ’70s, to enlighten us on what probably happened.

    By Bill Leonard (03/06/2021)
  • Hi,
    My Grandmother Alice Kate Radbourne was committed to Napsbury Hospital and spent many years there. Sadly she passed away in the Hospital on 20th Feb 1959 at the mere age of 60 years old. I never met her as I was born Feb 1960. I did purchase her death certificate and it states she died of Broncho pneumonia, certified by G.S Gladstone. Signature BWG Cooper Causing body to be buried (Resident Staff) Napsbury Hospital St.Albans. Registered on 5th March 1959.
    I do not know where she was buried neither did my mum know of the burial ground. I have tried to search but had no joy.
    If you could help with any information this would be amazing. I could then finally visit, lay some flowers and say a prayer which I have wanted to do for years. Out of sight but not out of mind ever.

    Maggie.

    By Margaret Mehta (26/01/2021)
  • Hello Maggie, thank you for sharing your story and connection with Napsbury. If you are looking for records that might contain information about your Grandmother, please contact the archive team on admin@stalbansoutofsightoutofmind.org.uk who may be able to you.
    ~ the editorial team

    By Kate O Neill (02/03/2021)
  • I would also be interested in information about my Great Grandmother Imogen Lowndes who was a patient at Napsbury and died in 1933.

    By Gillian (07/01/2020)
  • Hi Gillian.
    Thank you for your comment. The records for Napsbury are held at the London Metropolitan Archives. While I can not garuntee all records are in viewable condition they may be able to advise you further.

    By IAdams (14/09/2021)
  • My grandmother also died in Napsbury hospital in the 50s having been there many decades too. I’d be interested in any information about her. Her name was Charlotte Hawksworth. Thank you.

    By Yasmin Milligan (15/04/2019)