I’m not sure you would learn much if you did have success in locating your aunts records Beth. They did not really understand mental illness back when your aunt ended up institutionalized.

There was a lot of alcoholism in the 20’s, even before and there was cocaine in cough syrup and soda. There was definitely ptsd that went undiagnosed or was labeled something else. People did not live as long and many women died giving birth. There was war and the depression to survive. Life was hard for many full of uncertainty. Yes, people hid a lot of challenges to keep a good public reputation.