Main Panel or not?

During an inspection of the circuit panel I noticed that there was NO disconnect in that panel in the basement. Panel in garage had listed as disconnect for several lines. Garage panel feeds the basement panel. So the basement panel would be called a sub panel even if the distribution comes from the basement panel, correct? And if so the ground and neutral should not connect to the same bus. Because the house is mostly non grounded 2 wire, there is only one ground wire in the basement panel and that goes to a grounding rod outside, no other grounds were found. Would the same hold true for separating the ground and neutral wire. I would say yes, but want another opinion on this.
Thanks, hope I explained it so people can follow what is going on.