Guardianships

In olden days, senile persons were declared incompetent, had a guardian appointed or they were sent to the State's insane asylums.

• GA:  Central State Hospital,
  Milledgeville, Baldwin Co.
• NC:  Dorothea Dix Hospital, Raleigh
• NC:  Broughton State Hospital, Morganton
• TN:  Eastern State Hospital Cem., Knoxville [photo]
• SC:  History of State's Dept. of Mental Heath

Note:  These institutions were shown on various census records, labeled as such. Each facility had it's own cemetery.

Parents are the natural guardians of their minor children.  If they become orphaned, then a new guardian is appointed by the local court until they become of age. 

Guardianships of adults occurs when they become incapable of making wise decisions about their own well-being [their person], unable to handle their financial affairs [their property] or both The length of the Guardianship may be temporary or permanent as determined by a court of law.  When a guardian is needed for only one event such as a court trial, the court appoints them as guardian ad litem.

Guardians serve in a fiduciary capacity and must be accountable to the court.  Thus, most guardianship information will be found in old court records.  Wills may also appoint guardians of the deceased's minor children, so check out AAG's Wills & Estates section.

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