George Homer Tedball and Joseph Francis Darby – Adoption Record Text
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY
In the matter of the adoption of Joseph Darby and George Homer Tedball, Minors.
COME NOW Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty, his wife, and respectively represe[n]t and petition to this Court as follows:
1. That they and each of them, now are have been for many years past, husband and wife, residing at Seattle, King County, Washington; that they have no children of their own;
2. That Joseph Darby is a minor of approximately 13 years of age; that Georger Homer Tedball is a minor of approximately 7 years of age; that each of said minors is the child of Mary Tedball and the issue of her marriages with one Darby whose first name is unknown, and one Tedball whose first name is also unknown; that the father of Joseph Darby is long since deceased; that the father of George Homer Tedball about six months after his marriage to Mary Tedball, deserted said Mary Tedball and has wholly failed and neglected at any time to support, care for, or to pay any attention or recognition to George Homer Tedball; that the whereabouts of said father is at this time and has been for a long time past, unknown; that Mary Tedball, the mother of said children, died in Seattle, Washington, in the month of October, 1918; that these petitioners now have and ever since said death have had the custody and control of said children.
3. That these petitioners, Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty, his wife, are fully capable and competent of caring for the said children, and of rearing and educating them in a good and satisfactory manner; that this was the wish of said mother of said children, during her lifetime, that these petitioners have the care and control of said children after her death.
4. That these petitioners are desirous and hereby request the adoption of said children and each of them.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY IN PROBATE
In the matter of the adoption of Joseph Darby and George Homer Tedball, Minors. ORDER GRANTING ADOPTION.
This matter came on regulary to be heard this 31st day of October, 1918 upon the petitioners of Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty, husband and wife, for the adoption of the above named minors; it appearing to the Court from the proof offered:
I. That Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty, his wife, are now residents and citizens of Seattle, King County, Washington, and that said persons have no children of their own.
II. That Joseph Darby is a minor of the age of 13 years, and Georger Homer Tedball, a minor of the age of 7 years, are each the children of Mary Tedball; that the father Joseph Darby is dead and the father of George Homer Tedball deserted the said Mary Tedball approximately six months after the marriage and that the father has neglected and failed to pay attention or offer any care of support to the said child George [illegible]. It further appearing that the mother of said children died in Seattle Washington during the month of October, 1918 and that the above mentioned minors, have since her death, been in the custody of Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty, his wife, and that the said Martin and Sarah have petitioned and are now desirous for the adoption of said minors, and it further appearing that Rev. William Lanigan, a competent person appointed by this Court, deems it best for the interest of said minors that they be so adopted by Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty, his wife.
III. That Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty were examined separate and apart from each other, and that they each of them, are both desirous of said adoption without any influence being exerted upon each of them by the other, and solely as their free and voluntary act for that Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty, his wife, have full ability to adopt the said children, and to rear and educate them in good and proper manner.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, ADGUDGED and DECREED that the name of Joseph Darby is now changed to Joseph Flaherty, and the name of George Homer Tedball is hereby changed to George Homer Flaherty [illegible] said children Joseph Darby and George Homer Tedball, and each of them to all legal intents and purposes shall be and each of them are hereby declared to be the child and children of said petitioners, Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty, his wife, and each of them, and that the natural parents of said children and each of them, are hereby divested of all rights and obligations in respect to said children or either of them, and that the said children or either of them are freed from all legal obligations of obedience and maintenance with respect to the said parents, and shall be and each of them, are to all intents and purposes, the child or children of and the legal heirs of said Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty, his wife, and said children and each of them are hereafter entitled to all rights and privileges and are hereinafter and wil be now on subject to all the obligations of any child of said Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty, his wife, the same as if the said children had been begotten in lawful wedlock by Martin Flaherty and Sarah Flaherty, his wife.
Done in open court this 31st day of October, 1918. (signed by Judge)