Christiansen, Peter & Christian

[LidLicker]

Hi All,

I hope that this is something that I'm allowed to ask for help on -

My great uncle 'Peter Christiansen' (1909-1958) is a bit of an enigma in our family. He appears to have been hospitalized in his early teens (possible epilepsy from a head injury).
My grandmother said his siblings apparently never saw him again but their mother (Mary Jane Thompson / Christiansen) visited regularly, until her death in 1956.

I have found two death records - one in the registration area of Amounderness, Lancs (Volume 10b, Page 74) and the other in Fulford, Preston - Ful/4B/25. I'm reasonably new to this and wonder if they are one & the same.
Peter is not critical for my direct ancestry but my aunt & I would like to try & find out a bit more about his life & exactly where he lived all those years.

On the same vein, if there is anyone registered who is part of our Christiansen clan & might be able to shed some light on Christian Christiansen (Denmark 1871- Liverpool 1932), I'd also be very grateful.

Very many thanks in anticipation - Chris

[Bertieone]

Hi Chris and welcome,

Yes, the 2 death registrations for Peter are the same. Fulwood,Lancs BMD, not Fulford

Amounderness registration district

"Amounderness was also the name of a registration district for births, deaths and marriages from 1 April 1935 to 31 March 1974. Previously, since 1837, its parishes were part of Preston Registration District. It consisted of Preston Rural District, Fulwood Urban District and Longridge Urban District, covering an area surrounding (but excluding) Preston that was much smaller than the hundred, including areas south of the Ribble that were outside the hundred. It comprised the civil parishes of Barton, Broughton, Cuerdale, Farington, Fulwood, Goosnargh, Grimsargh, Haighton, Hutton, Lea, Little Hoole, Longton, Much Hoole, Penwortham, Samlesbury, Walton-le-Dale, Whittingham and Woodplumpton (all of which were transferred to Preston and South Ribble registration district in 1974), and Alston, Dilworth, Dutton, Hothersall and Ribchester (which were transferred to Ribble Valley registration district).[18]"

[Bertieone]

My grandmother said his siblings apparently never saw him again but their mother (Mary Jane Thompson / Christiansen) visited regularly, until her death in 1956.

I wonder if this suggests Peter spent his life in a Mental Hospital?

Perhaps purchasing the Amounderness 10b 74 death certificate from the GRO, will hold clues.

https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/cert ... efault.asp

[retiringtype]

There's a Peter Christiansen born 1909 in the County Mental Hospital at Preston in 1939. Incapacitated, formerly a farm labourer.

[LidLicker]

Bert & Retiringtype, thank you for your replies

Bert,

Doh, what am I like - The Fulwood was either a dyslexic finger or my spell checker . . . I spent my teenage years in Chorley so should have noticed the error before posting.
Yes, I totally expected him to have been in a mental hospital - I believe little was understood about epilepsy in those days. It certainly sounds like it could be him - are the certificates viewable anywhere or do I have to purchase (think I might have read somewhere that you can get birth & marriage but not death).

Retiringtype,

Ooh, where did you find him as being in Preston Mental Hospital please? Farm Labourer - also interesting. I know children generally finished school & started work earlier in those days but I wonder if farm labouring is what he did whilst as a hospital inpatient I originally thought he'd be too young at the time of his head injury to have been working but hey ho, family anecdotes are very sketchy to say the least. I think mental problems were shameful back then, bless, hence why we know so little about him.

Kind regards & thanks - Chris

[Bertieone]

Chris,

Death certificates are not normally viewable on line and have to be purchased from the previous GRO link, using, District, Volume and page number.

In view of RT's find, this link will prove useful, though there might be obstacles in the way for gaining information on Peter.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hosp ... sp?id=1395

[retiringtype]

Re the 1939 reference: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help ... -register/

[MaryA]

are the certificates viewable anywhere or do I have to purchase (think I might have read somewhere that you can get birth & marriage but not death).

You have the reference needed to order the death certificate, which costs £9.25 from this site https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/cert ... /Login.asp

At least with it, if there is any chance of applying for his records in a hospital proof of his death might help gaining access, but I can't guarantee that you will be allowed.

I would suggest you acquaint yourself with this post as it will explain what may be available online and what cannot.

https://www.liverpool-genealogy.org.uk/ ... =25&t=6937

[LidLicker]

Bert & Retiringtype, again - thank you for your replies & very helpful assistance.

Hello Mary - thank you also for your advice. I will certainly check out the post link you gave to better familiarize myself.

[Hilary]

The Records for The County Mental Hospital (Whittingham) Preston appear to be held at Lancashire Archives. There is usually a 100 years closure on such records however if you contact the Archives they may be prepared to release some information. It's always worth a try.

[LidLicker]

Hilary,

Thank you too. Spookily, after Retiringtype mentioned Preston Mental Hospital in an EP, I googled and found Whittigham. I sent a message via their website and, as much as I don't expect any info from them, I did ask if they can point me in the right direction.

I haven't heard back yet but now that you have helped, I can try the archives.

Kind regards - Chris

[barley28]

The Whittingham Reception orders are at Lancashire Archives and indexed on Lancat (their on-line catalogue). Just checked, but there don't seem to be any in the name of Christianson / sen or even for just Christian.
But if he was born 1909 and hospitalised in his early teens (say 1920s) the record would still be closed under the 100-year closure system.

[MaryA]

But if he was born 1909 and hospitalised in his early teens (say 1920s) the record would still be closed under the 100-year closure system.

Not necessarily if you can provide proof of death.

[LidLicker]

Thanks ladies, I've mailed the Archives and asked where I stand on the disclosure issue.

His parents & siblings are all gone now (last sister sadly died a year or so ago) & as he never had any children of his own, my aunt & I are as close to a NOK as any other nieces & nephews around.

I seriously appreciate the advice & assistance I've received so far - thank you all again