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London, Bethlem Hospital Patient Admission Registers and Casebooks 1683-1932 Browse

Through Findmypast’s Browse search you are able to read through 329 volumes from the famous Bethlem Hospital. Explore staff records, minutes of the governors’ meetings from 1559 or read the individual casebooks of patients admitted to the hospital. Each volume has been scanned in colour and begins from the front cover of the book. Below we have included the details you will find in each series and a full list of the archival references to help you discover more in this collection.

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What can these records tell me?

The browse search allows you to read through each volume cover to cover. In most volumes the first image will be the front cover and then inside cover. Most of the volumes contain a name index which can last for several pages. Use the arrow to the right to move through the document or insert a number in the image number box at the bottom, centre of the image to jump ahead.

Due to the size of the images, some of the images are over-compressed in the image viewer. For these larger images we recommend downloading the image. The download option is in the bottom right corner, next to the print option.

The information found in each volume can vary due to the nature of the document. We have separated the volumes into separate series. Below is a list of the different series available and the information which can be found in each one.

Series

Admission register (Reference ARA)

Throughout the history of Bethlem hospital the registration book and the amount of information found in the books have continuously changed.
The earlier volumes are primarily lists of the patients with their admission date, last known address, discharge date, in some cases a reason for discharge was given, and names of securities – those either paying for the patient’s stay in the hospital or those to be contacted if payment was not made.
After the 1840s the register books became more sophisticated and structured. They recorded far more detail about the patient such as marital status, occupation, age, education and who brought the patient to the hospital: usually a family member or friend.
The later records also include additional notes about the patient’s discharge, such as whether they were recovered, not well or on a leave of absence. If the patient has died some records include a cause of death.
Some of the volume dates overlap and the entries can be duplicated.

Incurable Patient Admission Registers 1723-1919 (Reference ARB)

Earliest records include name, securities and discharge or death date.
Some of the books will separate the patients’ names by male or female.
The latest book, ARB-04, is more structured and records information about the patient’s illness or disorder, physical health and reasons for discharge.

Female Voluntary Patient Admissions Registers 1890-1910 (Reference ARC)

The voluntary patients are uncertified patients that have voluntarily admitted themselves to the hospital.
The records include a table which registers date, name, term for which residence is permitted, extended term and date of consent to extension, names of commissioner of visitors consenting to reception or extension of term, name of persons signing the request for reception – usually a relative, date on which the boarder leaves the hospital and other remarks.

Criminal Patient Admission Registers 1816-1864 (Reference ARD)

There are two books within this series.
Within the records you will find admission date, name, age, address or previous institution, crime, verdict, when and where tried, condition of life, discharge or removal date.
The second of the two books gives more detail about the patient and the judgement of the court. For example, it registers if the patient was found insane by jury, acquitted because insane or committed by justices.

Minutes of the Court Of Governors 1559-1689 (Reference BCB)

The governors met every two to three weeks.
Each meeting record begins with the date of meeting and names of those in attendance.
The governors were responsible for the appointment of all the staff and deciding on their set salary.
They also managed the hospital properties and the finances.
In some meetings they would discuss the behaviour of particular patients.

Patient Casebooks Covering the Dates 1815 To 1919 (Reference CB)

All the casebooks begin with an alphabetical index of the patients’ names
Description of the patient and admission date
Observations of behaviour such as violent, good or bad appetite, frequently praying, sleep patterns, etc.
Books after 1909 are better structured and contain more information about the patients. Including: name, admission date, residence, profession, marital status, number of children, patient’s father and spouse, religion and age (may be estimated).
The 20th century books recorded a mental health history – dates of ‘attacks’, previous hospitalisation, supposed cause of insanity and family history of mental health.
You will also find the medical examinations including behaviour and physical examination and descriptions.
Finally you will find one to two pages of monthly (or in some cases weekly) observations of the patient’s progress.

Male and Female Patient Casebooks Covering the Dates 1903 To 1913 (Reference CWA)

Records are from Warlingham Park Hospital (formerly Croydon Mental Hospital). Inserted in the cover of each casebook is the ‘Rules of the Commissioners in Lunacy (26 June 1895).’ The casebook begins with an alphabetical index of the patients’ names.
Many include a photograph of the patient.
The books are in a structured format with an initial medical certificate which includes: admission date, nationality, religion, education, whether transferred from other asylums, age at admission, marital status and profession.
Questions related to mental health ask the dates of ‘attacks’ and duration. You will also find diagnosis at admission and whether the patient is epileptic, paralytic, suicidal or dangerous.
The doctor’s notes of the initial examination and information given to the doctor by others; such as family or friends at admission.
Details about the ‘present attack’ such as how long has the mind been affected, any signs before the attack, any loss of appetite or sleep, any religious or sexual excitement, any cause for the attack – a fright, family trouble, poverty, drink, shock, etc. and where was the patient born and where has the patient lived.
Records the patient’s own mental health history and the known history of the patient’s family.
Full physical examination including physical description, general health and notes on the patient’s speech, attention and memory.

Male and Female Private Patient Casebooks Covering the Dates 1903 To 1913 (Reference CWB)

Records are from Warlingham Park Hospital (formerly Croydon Mental Hospital). Inserted in the cover of each casebook is the ‘Rules of the Commissioners in Lunacy (26 June 1895).’ The casebook begins with an alphabetical index of the patients’ names.
These volumes record the same information as the Male and Female Patient Casebooks Covering the Dates 1903 To 1913 (Reference CWA).

Discharge and Death Registers 1782-1906 (Reference DDR)

Earliest registers are lists of patients’ names separated into men and women and the date they left the hospital or date of death.
From 1802 onwards the register recorded more information such as, if the patient was healthy at discharge, leaving for temporary leave or incurable.
After the 1850s the books are recorded in a set format. The register date of discharge or death, date of admission, register number, name, sex, class (whether the patient was a pauper), type of discharge (recovered, relieved or not improved), if the patient died, cause of death, age at death and additional observations. Also, includes a note if the patient was criminal.
If a patient was discharged it does not mean that they were able to go home, some patients were discharged and transferred to other institutions. Others may have been on temporary leave.

Staff Salary Books 1777-1932 (Reference SB)

Earliest records list staff by job title, full name and the amount paid in pre decimal currency; then the individual’s signature.
Job titles include, but not limited to: Physician, Clerk, Surgeon, Apothecary, Steward, Porter, Matron, Basket Men, Assistant Basket Men, Maids, Gallery Maids, Laundry Maids, Cook and Accountant.
After 1843 the records no longer include the job title of Basket Men. Instead there are Male Attendants and Female Attendants.
After the 1900s the staff books include nurses.
The more recent records include deductions for National Insurance introduced by the National Insurance Act 1911.

Archival References

Admission Registers 1683-1902

ARA-01, Bethlem, Admission registers 1683-1702

ARA-02, Bethlem, Admission registers 1683-1702

ARA-03, Bethlem, Admission registers 1702-1715

ARA-04, Bethlem, Admission registers 1716-1736

ARA-05, Bethlem, Admission registers 1737-1753

ARA-06, Bethlem, Admission registers 1754-1771

ARA-07, Bethlem, Admission registers 1791-1820

ARA-08, Bethlem, Admission registers 1801-1802

ARA-09, Bethlem, Admission registers 1841-1842

ARA-10, Bethlem, Admission registers 1685-1747

ARA-11, Bethlem, Admission registers 1748-1775

ARA-12, Bethlem, Admission registers 1776-1790

ARA-13, Bethlem, Admission registers 1791-1796

ARA-14, Bethlem, Admission registers 1797-1802

ARA-15, Bethlem, Admission registers 1803-1815

ARA-16, Bethlem, Admission registers 1815-1824

ARA-17, Bethlem, Admission registers 1825-1831

ARA-18, Bethlem, Admission registers 1832-1837

ARA-19, Bethlem, Admission registers 1838-1843

ARA-20, Bethlem, Admission registers 1843-1848

ARA-21, Bethlem, Admission registers 1848-1853

ARA-22, Bethlem, Admission registers 1853-1856

ARA-23, Bethlem, Admission registers 1853-1857

ARA-24, Bethlem, Admission registers 1857-1861

ARA-25, Bethlem, Admission registers 1861-1865

ARA-26, Bethlem, Admission registers 1865-1869

ARA-27, Bethlem, Admission registers 1869-1872

ARA-28, Bethlem, Admission registers 1873-1876

ARA-29, Bethlem, Admission registers 1876-1879

ARA-30, Bethlem, Admission registers 1879-1882

ARA-31, Bethlem, Admission registers 1882-1884

ARA-32, Bethlem, Admission registers 1885-1887

ARA-33, Bethlem, Admission registers 1887-1889

ARA-34, Bethlem, Admission registers 1889-1891

ARA-35, Bethlem, Admission registers 1892-1893

ARA-36, Bethlem, Admission registers 1894-1895

ARA-37, Bethlem, Admission registers 1895-1897

ARA-38, Bethlem, Admission registers 1897-1900

ARA-39, Bethlem, Admission registers 1900-1902

Incurable Patient Admission Registers 1723-1919

ARB-01, Bethlem, Incurable patient admission registers 1723-1853

ARB-02, Bethlem, Incurable patient admission registers 1769-1783

ARB-03, Bethlem, Incurable patient admission registers 1792-1919

ARB-04, Bethlem, Incurable patient admission registers 1841-1891

Female Voluntary Patient Admissions Registers 1890-1910

ARC-01, Bethlem, Female voluntary patient admissions registers 1890-1895

ARC-02, Bethlem, Female voluntary patient admissions registers 1894-1910

Criminal Patient Admission Registers 1816-1864

ARD-01, Bethlem, Criminal patient admission registers 1816-1864

ARD-02, Bethlem, Criminal patient admission registers 1817-1864

Minutes Of The Court Of Governors 1559-1689

BCB-01, Bridewell, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1559-15562

BCB-02, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1574-1576

BCB-03a, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1574-1576

BCB-03b, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1576-1579

BCB-04, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1598-1604

BCB-05, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1604-1610

BCB-06, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1617-1627

BCB-07, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1627-1634

BCB-08a, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1634-1642

BCB-08b, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1634-1642

BCB-08c, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1634-1642

BCB-09, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1642-1658

BCB-10, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1657-1659

BCB-11, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1662-1664

BCB-12, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1666-1674

BCB-13, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1674-1678

BCB-14, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1678-1684

BCB-15, Bridewell & Bethlem, Minutes of the Court of Governors 1684-1689

Patient Casebooks Covering The Dates 1815 To 1919

CB-001, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1793 to 1817 - Male patient casebook

CB-002, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1778 to 1816 - Female patient casebook

CB-003, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1816 to 1916

CB-004, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1793 to 1816 - Female patient casebook

CB-005, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1778 to 1819

CB-006, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1817 to 1819 - Female patient casebook

CB-007, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1819 to 1822 - Male patient casebook

CB-008, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1819 to 1821 - Female patient casebook

CB-009, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1819 to 1824

CB-010, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1820 to 1823 - Male patient casebook

CB-011, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1821 to 1823 - Female patient casebook

CB-012, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1822 to 1825

CB-013, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1823 to 1824 - Female patient casebook

CB-014, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1829 to 1831

CB-015, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1829 to 1831

CB-016, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1831 to 1833

CB-017, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1831 to 1833

CB-018, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1833 to 1835

CB-019, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1833 to 1835

CB-020, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1835 to 1836

CB-021, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1835 to 1837

CB-022, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1837 to 1838

CB-023, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1837 to 1839

CB-024, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1838 to 1840

CB-025, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1839 to 1840

CB-026, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1840 to 1842

CB-027, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1840 to 1842

CB-028, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1842 to 1843

CB-029, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1842 to 1843

CB-030, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1844

CB-031, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1844

CB-032, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1845 to 1846

CB-033, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1845

CB-034, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1846

CB-035, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1846

CB-036, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1847 - Male patient casebook

CB-037, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1847 - Female patient casebook

CB-038, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1847 - Male patient casebook

CB-039, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1847 - Female patient casebook

CB-040, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1848 - Male patient casebook

CB-041, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1848 - Female patient casebook

CB-042, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1848 - Male patient casebook

CB-043, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1848- Female patient casebook

CB-044, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1849 - Male patient casebook

CB-045, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1849 - Female patient casebook

CB-046, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1849 - Male patient casebook

CB-047, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1849 - Female patient casebook

CB-048, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the 1850 - Male patient casebook

CB-049, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1850 - Female patient casebook

CB-050, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1850 - Male patient casebook

CB-051, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1850 - Female patient casebook

CB-052, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1851 - Male patient casebook

CB-053, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1851 - Female patient casebook

CB-054, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1851 - Male patient casebook

CB-055, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1851 - Female patient casebook

CB-056, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1852 - Male patient casebook

CB-057, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1852 - Female patient casebook

CB-058, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1852 - Male patient casebook

CB-059, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1852 - Female patient casebook

CB-060, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1853 - Male patient casebook

CB-061, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1853 - Female patient casebook

CB-062, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1853 - Female patient casebook

CB-063, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1805 to 1893

CB-064, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1854 - Male patient casebook

CB-065, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1854 - Female patient casebook

CB-066, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1855 - Male patient casebook

CB-067, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1855 - Female patient casebook

CB-068, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1856 - Male patient casebook

CB-069, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1856 - Female patient casebook

CB-070, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1857 - Male patient casebook

CB-071, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1857 - Female patient casebook

CB-072, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1858 - Male patient casebook

CB-073, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1858 - Female patient casebook

CB-074, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1859 - Male patient casebook

CB-075, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1859 - Female patient casebook

CB-076, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1860 - Male patient casebook

CB-077, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1860 - Female patient casebook

CB-078, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1861 - Male patient casebook

CB-079, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1861 - Female patient casebook

CB-080, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1862 - Male patient casebook

CB-081, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1862 - Female patient casebook

CB-082, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1863 - Male patient casebook

CB-083, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1863 - Female patient casebook

CB-084, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1864 - Male patient casebook

CB-085, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1864 - Female patient casebook

CB-086, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1865 - Male patient casebook

CB-087, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1865 - Female patient casebook

CB-088, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1866 - Male patient casebook

CB-089, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1866 - Female patient casebook

CB-090, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1867 - Male patient casebook

CB-091, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1867 - Female patient casebook

CB-092, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1868 - Male patient casebook

CB-093, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1868 - Female patient casebook

CB-094, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1869 - Male patient casebook

CB-095, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1869 - Female patient casebook

CB-096, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1870 - Male patient casebook

CB-097, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1815 to 1919 - Female patient casebook

CB-098, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1871 - Male patient casebook

CB-099, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1871 - Female patient casebook

CB-100, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1872 - Female patient casebook

CB-101, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1872 - Male patient casebook

CB-102, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1873 - Male patient casebook

CB-103, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1873 - Female patient casebook

CB-104, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1874 - Male patient casebook

CB-105, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1874 - Female patient casebook

CB-106, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1875 - Male patient casebook

CB-107, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1875 - Female patient casebook

CB-108, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1876 - Male patient casebook

CB-109, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1876 - Female patient casebook

CB-110, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1877 - Male patient casebook

CB-111, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1877 - Female patient casebook

CB-112, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1878 - Male patient casebook

CB-113, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1878 - Female patient casebook

CB-114, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1879 - Male patient casebook

CB-115, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1879 - Female patient casebook

CB-116, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1880 - Male patient casebook

CB-117, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1880 - Female patient casebook

CB-118, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1881 - Male patient casebook

CB-119, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1881 - Female patient casebook

CB-120, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1882 - Male patient casebook

CB-121, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1882 - Female patient casebook

CB-122, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1883 - Male patient casebook

CB-123, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1883 - Female patient casebook

CB-124, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1884 - Male patient casebook

CB-125, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1884 - Female patient casebook

CB-126, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1885 - Male patient casebook

CB-127, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1885 - Female patient casebook

CB-128, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1886 - Male patient casebook

CB-129, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1886 - Female patient casebook

CB-130, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1886 - Female patient casebook

CB-131, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1886

CB-132, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1887 - Male patient casebook

CB-133, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1887 - Female patient casebook

CB-134, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1888 - Male patient casebook

CB-135, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1888 - Female patient casebook

CB-136, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1889 - Male patient casebook

CB-137, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1889 - Female patient casebook

CB-138, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1890 - Male patient casebook

CB-139, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1890 - Female patient casebook

CB-140, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1890

CB-141, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1891 - Male patient casebook

CB-142, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1891 - Female patient casebook

CB-143, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1892 - Male patient casebook

CB-144, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1892 - Female patient casebook

CB-145, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1893 - Male patient casebook

CB-146, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1893 - Female patient casebook

CB-147, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1893

CB-148, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering the dates 1890 to 1919

CB-149, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1894 - Male patient casebook

CB-150, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1894 - Female patient casebook

CB-151, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1895 - Male patient casebook

CB-152, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1895 - Female patient casebook

CB-153, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1896 - Male patient casebook

CB-154, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1896 - Female patient casebook

CB-155, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1896

CB-156, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1897 - Male patient casebook

CB-157, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1897 - Female patient casebook

CB-158, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1898 - Male patient casebook

CB-159, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1898 - Female patient casebook

CB-160, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1899 - Male patient casebook

CB-161, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1899 - Female patient casebook

CB-162, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1899

CB-163, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1900 - Male patient casebook

CB-164, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1900 - Female patient casebook

CB-165, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1901 - Male patient casebook

CB-166, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1901 - Female patient casebook

CB-167, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1902 - Male patient casebook

CB-168, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1902 - Female patient casebook

CB-169, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1902

CB-170, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1903 - Male patient casebook

CB-171, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1903 - Female patient casebook

CB-172, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1904 - Male patient casebook

CB-173, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1904 - Female patient casebook

CB-174, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1905 - Male patient casebook

CB-175, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1905 - Female patient casebook

CB-176, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1905

CB-177, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1905 - Female patient casebook

CB-178, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1906 - Male patient casebook

CB-179, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1906 - Female patient casebook

CB-180, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1907 - Male patient casebook

CB-181, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1907 - Female patient casebook

CB-182, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1907

CB-183, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1908 - Male patient casebook

CB-184, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1908 - Female patient casebook

CB-185, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1908

CB-186, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1909 - Male patient casebook

CB-187, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1909 - Female patient casebook

CB-188, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1909

CB-189, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1910 - Male patient casebook

CB-190, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1910 - Female patient casebook

CB-191, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1910

CB-192, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1911 - Male patient casebook

CB-193, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1911 - Female patient casebook

CB-194, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1911

CB-195, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1912 - Male patient casebook

CB-196, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1912 - Female patient casebook

CB-197, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1912

CB-198, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1913 - Male patient casebook

CB-199, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1913 - Female patient casebook

CB-200, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1913

CB-201, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1914

CB-202, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1915

CB-203, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1916

CB-204, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1917

CB-209, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1918

CB-210, Bethlem, Patient casebooks covering 1919

Incurable & Criminal Patient Casebooks 1778-1864

CBC-01, Bethlem, Incurable & criminal patient casebooks 1778-1840

CBC-02, Bethlem, Incurable & criminal patient casebooks 1816-1850

CBC-03, Bethlem, Incurable & criminal patient casebooks 1850-1857

CBC-04, Bethlem, Incurable & criminal patient casebooks 1857-1862

CBC-05, Bethlem, Incurable & criminal patient casebooks 1863-1864

Male Patient Casebooks Covering The Dates 1903 To 1913

CWA-01, Warlingham Park, Male patient casebooks covering 1903

CWA-02, Warlingham Park, Male patient casebooks covering 1903 to 1904

CWA-03, Warlingham Park, Male patient casebooks covering 1904 to 1905

CWA-04, Warlingham Park, Male patient casebooks covering 1905 to 1906

CWA-05, Warlingham Park, Male patient casebooks covering 1906 to 1908

CWA-06, Warlingham Park, Male patient casebooks covering 1908 to 1910

CWA-07, Warlingham Park, Male patient casebooks covering 1910 to 1912

CWA-08, Warlingham Park, Male patient casebooks covering 1912 to 1913

Female Patient Casebooks Covering The Dates 1903 To 1913

CWA-10, Warlingham Park, Female patient casebooks covering 1903 to 1912

CWA-11, Warlingham Park, Female patient casebooks covering 1903

CWA-12, Warlingham Park, Female patient casebooks covering 1903 to 1904

CWA-13, Warlingham Park, Female patient casebooks covering 1904 to 1906

CWA-14, Warlingham Park, Female patient casebooks covering 1903 to 1907

CWA-15, Warlingham Park, Female patient casebooks covering 1903 to 1908

CWA-16, Warlingham Park, Female patient casebooks covering 1908 to 1910

CWA-17, Warlingham Park, Female patient casebooks covering 1910 to 1911

CWA-18, Warlingham Park, Female patient casebooks covering 1911 to 1912

CWA-19, Warlingham Park, Female patient casebooks covering 1912 to 1913

Male Private Patient Casebooks Covering The Dates 1903 To 1913

CWB-01, Warlingham Park, Male private patient casebooks covering the dates 1903 to 1910

CWB-02, Warlingham Park, Male private patient casebooks covering the dates 1909 to 1912

CWB-03, Warlingham Park, Male private patient casebooks covering the dates 1910 to 1913

Female Private Patient Casebooks Covering The Dates 1907 To 1912

CWB-04, Warlingham Park, Female private patient casebooks covering the dates 1909 to 1911

CWB-05, Warlingham Park, Female private patient casebooks covering the dates 1907 to 1912

Discharge and Death Registers 1782-1906

DDR-01, Bethlem, Discharge and death registers 1782-1810

DDR-02, Bethlem, Discharge and death registers 1853-1861

DDR-03, Bethlem, Discharge and death registers 1861-1868

DDR-04, Bethlem, Discharge and death registers 1868-1877

DDR-05, Bethlem, Discharge and death registers 1878-1884

DDR-06, Bethlem, Discharge and death registers 1885-1890

DDR-07, Bethlem, Discharge and death registers 1890-1895

DDR-08, Bethlem, Discharge and death registers 1895-1903

DDR-09, Bethlem, Discharge and death registers 1904-1906

Staff Salary Books 1777-1932

SB-01, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1777-1815

SB-02, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1816-1856

SB-03, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1842-1856

SB-04, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1857-1871

SB-05, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1871-1886

SB-06, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1886-1896

SB-07, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1896-1900

SB-08, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1900-1903

SB-09, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1904-1906

SB-10, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1907-1909

SB-11, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1910-1912

SB-12, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1913-1915

SB-13, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1915-1917

SB-14, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1917-1920

SB-15, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1920-1921

SB-16, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1922-1923

SB-17, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1923-1924

SB-18, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1924-1926

SB-19, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1927-1928

SB-20, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1928-1930

SB-21, Bethlem, Staff salary books 1930-1932

Discover more about these records

These records cover Bethlem Hospital and Warlingham Park near Croydon. There are 329 volumes in total. The volumes can be search in Findmypast’s ** London, Bethlem Hospital Patient Admission Registers and Casebooks 1683-1932.** In these records there are 250 years of fascinating, revealing records; extraordinary insight into why people were regarded as mentally ill during the last 4 centuries. However very rarely do the records include details about treatments or patient’s opinions about the hospital.

History of Bethlem Hospital

Bethlem Royal Hospital was founded in 1247 as the Priory of St Mary of Bethlehem and is one of the world’s oldest hospitals for the treatment of mental illness. In 1547 it came under the control of the City of London as one of the 5 Royal hospitals refounded after the Reformation, the others being Barts, St Thomas’s, Bridewell and Christ’s Hospital. From the 1570s, Bridewell and Bethlem were governed together, which can be seen in the Minutes of the Court of Governors records.

Bethlem hospital became known for scandal and intrigue through the centuries. It was popular in plays, literary works and Hogarth’s A Rakes Progress. Conditions in the hospital had become poor and ‘Bedlam’ become synonymous with madness and pandemonium. Bedlam came from the pronunciation of ‘Bethlem’ in the Jacobean era.

The original hospital was located near Bishopsgate, outside the walls of the city of London. In 1676 it was moved to Moorsfields, now known as Finsbury Circus, outside Moorgate. Everything from the original building was auctioned off except for the two famous sculptures of Melancholy and Raving Madness.

The new building was large and grand to impress the wealthy and well born visitors to the hospital. Until 1770, unrestricted visiting was permitted by the hospital governors – this resulted in the inmates becoming an attraction for the amusement of the public. It was a popular tourist site and was even listed in guidebooks. On the way to the hospitals you could find people playing games and selling pies. The wealthy could connect the grandness to what they knew of their own new stylish houses. Those visiting the hospital took the experience to be like visiting a zoo, patients were expected to ‘perform.’ Many came to the hospital because they desired to meet odd and eccentric people. However, due to the abuse towards patients and security, access to the grounds was restricted by 1770 to those who were given permission by the governor.

The records tell little of the treatments given to the patients. We do know that it was common in the 18th and 19th centuries to give patients cold baths or restrain them in strait jackets. Some patients were confined to their rooms. Other treatments included bloodletting or purges. Today, these methods seem archaic and even inhuman. However, these treatments were not unique to Bethlem and were used widely. In 1815 a parliamentary enquiry into the treatment of patients in institutions such as Bethlem led to reforms in the treatment and management of mental illness. In the last two centuries treatment of the mentally ill has vastly improved.

The hospital moved one more time before settling in its current location in Beckenham. In 1815, it was moved to St. George’s Fields in Southwark. The Moorfields location had declined from its grand state when it was first opened in the 17th century. Much of the building had fallen into disrepair. The new site was larger and gave the patients more space for outdoor activities including gardening. A new ‘moral therapy’ began and patients’ comfort was more of a priority than in the early days of the hospital.

In 1930, the hospital moved a final time to Beckenham, a suburb of London. The previous location at Southwark has now become the Imperial War Museum. Today, Bethlem Royal Hospital is at the front of humanitarian treatment for mental health and is a part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Useful Links and Resources

London, Bethlem Hospital Patient Admission Registers and Casebooks 1683-1932