Last Friday saw the return of a unique missing hospital register, sought by the Surrey History Center for 30 years and filling a significant gap in historical records discovered at the Manor Hospital in Epsom by Julian Pooley, head Public Services and Engagement at the Surrey History Centre. .

The book contains medical records of women admitted to the Manor Hospital between May 19, 1900 and July 11, 1901. It was one of five mental hospitals established by the London County Council at Horton, near Epsom, England. beginning of the 20th century. A treasure trove for family and social historians, the volume records the names, family details and medical notes of 250 London women living with various mental illnesses, with their photographic portraits affixed to its fragile pages. These poignant documents provide valuable insight into the lives and experiences of women admitted to these vast Victorian workhouses. Although Julian Pooley saved many files from the Manor after its closure in 1995, file number 4 was not one of them. The discovery in an attic in the London borough of Kingston raises hopes that more missing files from former mental and learning disorders hospitals in Surrey could yet be discovered.

The couple who found the book in their attic realized its importance while watching Gemma Collins uncover her family’s mental health history on a recent episode of “Who Do You Think You Are.” After reading the case histories and being fascinated by the photographs of the patients, they contacted the Surrey History Center and were delighted to find that it was filling such an important gap in the surviving records. Now preserved in the vaults of the History Center, it can be made public for research purposes and various community engagement projects.

Denise Turner-Stewart, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Customers and Communities, said: “Stories like this remind us what a wonderful resource our History Centre, based in Woking, is. Our engagement manager, Julian, had collected files from the Manor Hospital himself and this book was a standout in the series. To see him found and brought to the Centre, following a BBC television program to which the team contributed, is quite astonishing. This allows the team to continue their work to trace the history of these individuals and ultimately create a richer picture of Surrey’s past.

“If you haven’t yet visited the Surrey History Centre, please do so. You’ll find expert support and captivating objects that bring our local history to life. There is so much for everyone to explore and discover! The History Center is ideally located in Woking and fully accessible, offering a wealth of resources and fascinating objects for all to enjoy. It’s a fantastic place to delve into your own family history and discover stories from the past..”

Surrey Heritage is a high-quality, integrated service for Surrey residents and others from across the country and around the world who are interested in Surrey’s past. It collects and rescues archives and printed materials relating to Surrey’s past and present and preserves them on six miles of shelves at the Surrey History Centre.

To find out more and consult opening hours: www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/history-centre