User talk:Myapplecorps

I don't know where to ask a question on this site, so I will ask it here.

My father, Robert W Thompson, who passed in 1997, was released from the Army in Jan 1953 to Chicago State Hospital.

I'm not sure if his records still exist, but if they do, I would like to be able to acquire them.

More importantly to me is finding out how long he stayed there.

If someone could tell me that I would be most appreciative.

Thank you, Tom

Genealogical Request for Records

Hello,

Based on my online research, you will most likely need to contact the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Mental Health, rather than the State Archives directly. Potentially, you may need to get a court order from the county where the hospital has been to see them.

Here are some further links that may help:

• https://ask.chicagocollections.org/faq/228084
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Genealogy/comments/1dohpg5/state_hospital_records_what_to_expect/
• https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/gen-research.html
• https://guides.loc.gov/illinois-local-history-genealogy/vital-records
• https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/researching-ancestors-in-asylums/

Though a rough guess as to why he had been transferred into Chicago State Hospital is that he may have been suffering from some form of PTSD or other war-induced psychosis. He was probably sent home to a military general hospital like Mason General Hospital to receive long-term care. In the late 40s and early 50s, the Army began to disestablish its extensive mental hospital network. Most likely, he was discharged from Army care to CSH to continue his treatment.

I hope that helps.

M-Explorer (talk) 11:49, 18 January 2026 (UTC)