‘Do your best to block any efforts she may make to get this baby’

A LETTER written by Martina Kelly’s first foster family in Surrey to the reverend mother of the London convent where she was born, pleaded for them to be allowed to adopt her...

I April 1960

‘Dear Rev mother,

I had the care of Little As you can see by enclosed letter, husband and myself Mary **** for a short period. My very much like to became very fond of her and would to take her to you, adopt her. When her mother came ask for her, not I mentioned this and she said I could knowing where she is going to….

(another adopted Mary would be a little sister for him have her. I have written child) and I would dearly love to reply yet. Do you think to her mother but have not had a you can help?

Yours sincerely J E Hurrion (Mrs)

Dear Mrs Hurrion

Baby *** is already happily settled down with her new parents and we could not consider upsetting her in her new home. In any case, it would be a very bad arrangement from the child’s point of view later on – that she would have two mothers – you and her own natural mother (in the same area).

I am sure that the crusade of rescue would be only too glad to give you a baby girl for adoption if you apply to them in the normal way.

We would be very grateful if you did not contact Miss *** again as your offer to take her baby may only lead to her being upset. She has already being informed that her baby is happily settled down excellent with an young Catholic couple in Ireland,

Very sincerely yours Diocesan social worker

Dear Miss ***

Thank you for your letter addressed to Miss Vickery. We were glad to hear that you were pleased about Mary’s adoption and hope that you have settled happily in your new job.

With regards to your payments as you know, this society depends entirely on charity and we should therefore be grateful if you would arrange to pay back as much of the total cost as you can manage, by weekly instalments. You should enclose a stamped addressed envelope for the receipt.

Our expenses were as follows:

£9 – fare to Cork

£5 and 5 shillings fostering fee

10 shillings loaned to you,

Yours sincerely Administrator

Dear Father Harvey Re Mary Bernadette *** You will be aware from the correspondence that the foster mother in this case (Mrs Hurrion) has been seeking to have baby Bernadette. She has now written to me having received your letter of 31 March 1960 I am sending you a copy of my reply and I trust you will do your best to block any further efforts Mrs Hurrion may make to get this baby. Very sincerely yours Father James Good Lough Presbytery Cork