Recently, through a DNA test my sister was contacted by a cousin in Australia. My sister and I decided to travel down under and met with all four of our cousins. While there, my cousin showed us medical records she had found in the BC archives. I was shocked to learn that my Great Grandmother was “incarcerated” in the then BC Hospital for the Insane and later died in Woodlands in 1913. Her name was Huldah Edlund. I found her name on your list.
Secrecy and shame permeate our family tree. I was appalled looking through the medical records to read words like stupid, dirty, problematic and awful… It was heartbreaking to read letters to her from the family. I’m no doctor, but the fact my great grandmother was taken to this institution mere days after giving birth to my grandmother screams post partem. 8 years later she died in Woodlands.
I have yet to really process any of this. I’ve read several posts on your site. I too would be interested in purchasing a new gravestone honouring the life of my great grandmother. I wonder too about whether any support groups have been formed to deal with the inter generational traumas that occurred as a result of this and other institutions like it. When I met my long lost relatives it became apparent we were sharing the same pain…
Was there ever any information gathered on how to go about having our relatives graves properly marked? I’m in the process of trying to find (closer) relatives of James T. Underhill. If I don’t find them or if they are not interested in replacing his marker, I would like to take care of it myself so he can be properly remembered.
Hello
Im not sure if i responded to your email before so here is the information. I worked with Eric Lees from Lees and Associates to get Arthurs headstone placed.
I am so excited I finally came across your post! I can't tell you how excited I am. I am related to you and so hope we can connect!
My dad is Gary, son of Anna, brother to Maryann, which was Ann's Mom, she replied here also.
My dad is also interested in finally learning of his ancestry background and we are wondering if you have any details in regards to native status? Do you know if any of our family is status?
Looking forward to hearing from you
Insane paralysis was the term used to describe the final stage of neurosyphilis, a common reason for a person to be housed in a mental hospital at the time
I have a picture of my grandparents and another lady on it which has Blair's Photographs shown on the back of it. I am assuming the picture may have been taken in Edmonton around the 1908 time period.
Hi Mark, I am the site administrator. This site has been receiving more and more messages asking for information as to where and how one goes about placing/replacing a marker in the ground at a grave in the former Woodlands Cemetery. If you can you share with me who to contact about this I will be happy to pass the information along to interested parties. Thank you Michael de Courcy
My uncle died when he was about 5 or 6 here. His name was Gordon R. Scarlett. It looks like there is a hedge where he is buried and a monument with many old gravestones attached to it. My cousin went to visit the garden a few years ago and did not find his gravestone. We would like to put a plaque or gravestone where he was buried. I feel like the children who died of abuse here are not getting the respect they deserve.
The gov't removed his stone and did who knows what with it. They should replace it at their cost. Since I know they won't do this, I am willing to pay to have this done myself. Gordon died in 1937, but all his sisters are still alive and tell stories about him. My grandmother never got over the loss of her son. She died 70 years after he died and still spoke about him. She called him her little "Ralphie".
He is very much marginalized in that there is no gravestone or plaque for him there.
To whom it may concern,
Recently, through a DNA test my sister was contacted by a cousin in Australia. My sister and I decided to travel down under and met with all four of our cousins. While there, my cousin showed us medical records she had found in the BC archives. I was shocked to learn that my Great Grandmother was “incarcerated” in the then BC Hospital for the Insane and later died in Woodlands in 1913. Her name was Huldah Edlund. I found her name on your list.
Secrecy and shame permeate our family tree. I was appalled looking through the medical records to read words like stupid, dirty, problematic and awful… It was heartbreaking to read letters to her from the family. I’m no doctor, but the fact my great grandmother was taken to this institution mere days after giving birth to my grandmother screams post partem. 8 years later she died in Woodlands.
I have yet to really process any of this. I’ve read several posts on your site. I too would be interested in purchasing a new gravestone honouring the life of my great grandmother. I wonder too about whether any support groups have been formed to deal with the inter generational traumas that occurred as a result of this and other institutions like it. When I met my long lost relatives it became apparent we were sharing the same pain…
Please let me know ..
Best regards,
-Michael
Was there ever any information gathered on how to go about having our relatives graves properly marked? I’m in the process of trying to find (closer) relatives of James T. Underhill. If I don’t find them or if they are not interested in replacing his marker, I would like to take care of it myself so he can be properly remembered.
Hello
Im not sure if i responded to your email before so here is the information. I worked with Eric Lees from Lees and Associates to get Arthurs headstone placed.
Mark Clark
Hi!
I am so excited I finally came across your post! I can't tell you how excited I am. I am related to you and so hope we can connect!
My dad is Gary, son of Anna, brother to Maryann, which was Ann's Mom, she replied here also.
My dad is also interested in finally learning of his ancestry background and we are wondering if you have any details in regards to native status? Do you know if any of our family is status?
Looking forward to hearing from you
Insane paralysis was the term used to describe the final stage of neurosyphilis, a common reason for a person to be housed in a mental hospital at the time
I have a picture of my grandparents and another lady on it which has Blair's Photographs shown on the back of it. I am assuming the picture may have been taken in Edmonton around the 1908 time period.
I am curious of the 2 photos you have.
Thanks!
Hi Mark, I am the site administrator. This site has been receiving more and more messages asking for information as to where and how one goes about placing/replacing a marker in the ground at a grave in the former Woodlands Cemetery. If you can you share with me who to contact about this I will be happy to pass the information along to interested parties. Thank you Michael de Courcy
Hello there Mark,
My family wants a proper marker for my mom's brother as well. How do we go about this?
My uncle died when he was about 5 or 6 here. His name was Gordon R. Scarlett. It looks like there is a hedge where he is buried and a monument with many old gravestones attached to it. My cousin went to visit the garden a few years ago and did not find his gravestone. We would like to put a plaque or gravestone where he was buried. I feel like the children who died of abuse here are not getting the respect they deserve.
The gov't removed his stone and did who knows what with it. They should replace it at their cost. Since I know they won't do this, I am willing to pay to have this done myself. Gordon died in 1937, but all his sisters are still alive and tell stories about him. My grandmother never got over the loss of her son. She died 70 years after he died and still spoke about him. She called him her little "Ralphie".
He is very much marginalized in that there is no gravestone or plaque for him there.
thank you for the information, my son who lives in coquitlam will check out the coordinates.
mark clark
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