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Tasmania - Archival Series
Files of Persons Examined Under Sections 7, 8, 23, 24, 26, 27 of the Mental Deficiency Act 1920 (1920 - 1960)
State Psychological Clinic
- From
- 1920
- To
- 1960
- Location
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The Files of Persons Examined Under Sections 7, 8, 23, 24, 26, 27 of the Mental Deficiency Act 1920 concern individuals examined by the State Psychological Clinic. They are arranged alphabetically according to surnames. Files that are older than 75 years are on open access and the names of the individuals concerned are listed on the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office website.
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Access Conditions
Closed D75 years
D75 means these records are closed to the general public for 75 years from the date of the last entry in them. People wishing to access these records should contact Mental Health Services at the Department of Health and Human Services. Staff at the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office may be able to assist you in finding other relevant records.
Records
Children diagnosed with intellectual disabilities may not have had them as it is understood today. Challenging behaviour, inadequately managed physical disabilities such as deafness, educational disadvantage, an institutional upbringing, and poverty, neglect or abuse could all lead to a diagnosis of 'mental deficiency' and supervision by the Mental Deficiency Board.
The language used in the files is disturbing. At the time they were written, eugenics had a considerable influence and its apparently scientific credibility made it all right to use this language. In 2014, we would consider it demeaning and insulting.
- Contact
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Please contact Research Enquiries, Tasmanian Archives:
Postal address: 91 Murray St, Hobart TAS 7000
Phone: (03) 6165 5538 or (03) 6165 5541
Website: https://www.libraries.tas.gov.au/archive-heritage/Pages/default.aspx
We do not currently have any records linked to this organisation, but records may exist.
The Find & Connect Support Service can help people who lived in orphanages and children's institutions look for their records.
We do not currently have any photographs linked to this entry. If you know of any additional photographs, please contact us.
The Find & Connect Support Service can help people who lived in orphanages and children's institutions look for their records.
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