Letter from Garth Healy to Seán Nunan (Dublin)

Adoption of Irish Children

I have the honor to report that we have received a call from Mrs. [BLANK]¹ of Brooklyn, New York in connection with her difficulties in adopting an orphan from St. Brigid's Orphanage, Dublin.

Our usual procedure when a question of this nature arises is to explain that we have no function in the matter as it is essentially a private arrangement between the foster parents and the child's custodian; we then refer the inquirer to the American Embassy in Dublin. We had in fact suggested this course of action to Mrs. [BLANK] on May 3rd, 1950.²

Our position on this occasion was more complicated. Mrs. [BLANK] had established contact with the Orphanage and had been in communication with Messrs. Roger Greene and Sons, Solicitors, 11 Wellington Quay, Dublin about the references required before a child would be confided to her care. The Orphanage, since this was the first of their charges to be adopted by an American, had asked for a certificate from the Department of Social Welfare in New York confirming the suitability of the [BLANK] family as adopters. No public authority in New York, it appears, will make the inspection necessary for such a certificate when the adopted child comes from outside their area. Mrs. [BLANK] so informed Messrs. Greene and Company who replied suggesting that this Consulate would be in a position to make these inquiries, the nature of which were not detailed.

In an earlier letter, according to Mrs. [BLANK], they asked for a deposit of $100 to cover possible expense should we act in the matter. Mrs. [BLANK] did not produce this letter and said it had been sent to the Department of Social Welfare in New York in an effort to induce them to give the required certificate.

It was explained to Mrs. [BLANK] that we had no functions in the matter and even if so instructed by you we could do little if any more than procure a commercial report on her financial condition through Dun and Bradstreet. We would not be equipped to certify her religious or moral standing. We advised her to approach her religious authorities for this purpose.

We report this case initially because of Messrs. Greene's suggestion that we might be able to act in the matter. We should be glad if this could be investigated and if our position was explained to that firm.

We also mention it as typical of the many inquiries made here by people desirous of adopting Irish children. In almost all cases the crux of their problem is that of satisfactory guarantees. The Orphanages in Dublin are extremely vague about their requirements in the way of testimonials, being neither clear nor complete about the details. They seem not to be satisfied with a parish priest's reference and we have been informed that the New York Catholic Charities will only give their approval when the entire adoption is being arranged through their organization. This frequently occasions great disappointment and grief to the prospective adopters as they are not made aware of such requirements until they have completed most of the formalities and have even received photographs and particulars of the children they hope to adopt.

We feel sure that the Orphanages are unaware of this confusion and the embarrassment we are occasionally caused by such callers. Accordingly, we should be glad if the position were explained to them, especially, the need to give clear and detailed requirements to their clients from the earliest stages.

The majority of people who wish to adopt Irish children seem to do so because of some link of blood or religion which makes the country seem sympathetic. In view of the possibility of canalizing such good will for anti-partition purposes, the importance of retaining their sympathy would be appreciated. Because of this, we should be glad to know, if even for our own information, the exact requirements of the Orphanages. This could be used at our discretion for the advice of people like Mrs. [BLANK] who is of Irish origin, who have met with difficulties after successfully negotiating the initial stages of adoption. We would not, of course, give it to people making preliminary inquiries.