About Me

This project evolved from my Masters thesis which considered how and why women were institutionalized in early 20th century Ontario “insane” asylums. In my little glass bowl research room at the Archives of Ontario, I pored over hundreds upon hundreds of patient case files, some folders practically disintegrating with my touch while I pondered how long tuberculosis bacteria could remain viable on paper products. Some files only contained one or two pages, others had two or three file folders brimming with information including photos and intimate details. Regardless of whether the case file was sparse or voluminous, each file was a person’s life, each had their own story. Many women began their journey in jails, reformatories, industrial refuges, industrial schools, charitable sanctuaries, or religious institutions before being transferred to an asylum. They were British Home Children, war brides, immigrants to Canada, citizens of Canada, white, black, indigenous, mixed-race, domestics, factory workers, nurses, school teachers, unwed mothers, abandoned women, poverty-stricken, alcoholics, drug addicts, developmentally delayed, schizophrenic, elderly with dementia, had physical disabilities, venereal disease, were visually impaired, hearing impaired, and others who would just not adhere to society’s constraints.

During my thesis defence, one of my examiners insisted that I write about these women and share their stories with the public. So here we are. I invite you in.