Gartloch Asylum Glasgow.
Dear Miss Moir
It transpires that your Great Grandmother had a very long history of mental illness. As the records are either not in a fit condition for copying or are in very heavy volumes, I have transcribed the salient passages.
She was admitted to Gartloch Asylum on 4 Dec 1903. Her next of kin was recorded as being her husband. Two doctors who examined her provided the following reports for the Sheriff of Glasgow (who authorised her admission):
1. “Incoherence of speech: thinks that her children are poisoned by her neighbours. Voices continually speak to her.”
2. “She is dull, irritable & excitable & she is incoherent in her talk & has delusions of suspicion & persecution. Her husband states that she neglects her household duties & has been very strange in conduct for several years.”
Her husband provided the following:
“Illness began 12 years ago – restlessness at night: would go away very early in the morning to see her father, leaving an infant. Since lost oldest boy (14) in July last – he was accidentally drowned – has been much worse: thinks her neighbours had boy murdered for £100. 9 children, no miscarriages.”
On 25 Feb 1904 she was transferred to Govan Parish Asylum at Hawkhead (later re-named Leverndale) because under the Poor Law system Govan was the parish responsible for her. The doctor who first examined her there wrote, “She is often unduly depressed and confessed that she is under the influence of delusions”. She remained at Hawkhead, at least until 1917. There is a gap in the records between 1917 and 1921.
On 30 Jul 1921 she was re-admitted to Hawkhead. She is described on admission as a 55 years old widow, previously residing at Dalmary Cottage, Gartmore. She is diagnosed as suffering from “Dementia secondary” and is said to have been insane for 18 years.
On 8 Oct 1929 she was transferred to the mental wards at the Southern General Hospital (also run by Govan Parish Council). These wards were generally used to house chronic cases of incurable insanity, especially amongst elderly people. Her next of kin is recorded as being her sister, Mrs Miller of 225 Holmlea Road, Cathcart. She remained at the Southern General Hospital until her death, 1952.
I hope that this will help you. Please bear in mind that it is very unlikely that we will be able to provide answers to whatever supplementary questions may occur to you. For instance, the records do not state whether she was buried or cremated, nor by whom. Nor do they indicate who visited her.
Yours sincerely
Alistair Tough
Mr Alistair Tough,
Greater Glasgow Health Board Archivist.
abelmoir 
Mother’s Grandfather John McKechnie was born 1859, married Jean ‘Jeannie’ Alexander 30th December 1887.
First child William born 1889, followed by John, Joseph Lockley McKechnie, Robert, Jane, Susan, Elizabeth, David 1900, then Alexander (Barclay) 18th May, 1903.
Eldest son William then died two months later by drowning 26th July 1903, Gribbins Pond Govan, aged 14.
Great Grandmother Jeannie McKechnie was admitted to Gartloch Asylum on 4 Dec 1903.
I have been in contact with Joseph’s family, who shared their family tree. Joseph married Rachel Hendry Coats. Joseph’s daughter was named after his mother Jean ‘Jeannie’ McKechnie, who went to asylum.
Jeannie McKechnie 1923-1997, married John Gordon and they had three children Rachel, James & Josephine.
Josephine Gordon, born 1960 shared her tree, and she married David Skelton and they have Dawn, Ashley and David.