Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Paying the Lunatic Asylum

 

You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone that you found the document, contacted a cousin with the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.

                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 

This weekly series enables everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. 

Share by scrolling 

down and add your story to the comments section, or you may also put a link to a blog post telling about what had you dancing this week.

"Richland, South Carolina, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-V1BK-G?view=explore : May 17, 2026), image 941 of 1592; South Carolina. County Court (Richland County). Image Group Number: 004753577

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

Taking a new look at a document I found years ago led me to a shocking discovery. 

My maternal third great-grandfather, Thomas Philip Roberts, died in Richland County, SC, on 2 May, 1893. His will provided for his children, and probate records include an inventory and an annual return in May of 1894.  I have seen the will but must confess that I hadn't really taken the time to look at the rest of the probate papers. What a mistake! Why? Because I found a shocking payment his estate made that year. $52.12 to the Lunatic Asylum. 

 The South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, now known as the South Carolina State Hospital, was established in Columbia in 1821. It is located on Bull Street in Columbia. 

Doing a little research on the hospital to see if any records are available, I discovered that the South Carolina Department of Archives and History has them. Intake books, record files, and other items. There is a project that collects and tells the stories of those who were hospitalized there. Who was the bill for that Thomas was paying? The probate records do not say, but I am hoping to get to the archives and see if I can discover who was there and why.

The moral of the story? Go back over the records you have and see what you may have missed! It may be a story that needs to be told.

What was your happy dance moment?

Share your Happy Dance Moment for the week, and let's celebrate together!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

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