Just seen your posting, having just posted one at the same time. Ballamona was going through my mind too, and was just going to ring someone about it. Don't think I need to now. People were put in lunatic asylums for all sorts of mad reasons. Sorry, didn't mean that! All sorts of reasons which would be unreasonable today. I think poverty, or being unable to look after oneself for whatever reasons could very well come under this umbrella. I wonder if Tony has looked at the 1881 census for any further clues on this. I think this would be a good move. Or the other Censuses for that matter.(Censuses or Censi?) Susanne. PS good discussion, this. Nice to see so many people being helpful. S