Adoption of Christopher Michael BAKER (1977)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 9, 1977 - page 5, column 4:

According to a legal notice, in June 1977 Ralph Emerson Copeland filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 77-24) to adopt Christopher Michael Baker, a minor. His biological father, Richard Wonderly, was listed as having abandoned and deserted him, that he could not be found. The case was scheduled to be heard 30 days after publication of the legal notice.

Adoption of Patricia May SMITH (1936)

According to a Hendricks County Probate Court docket sheet, in February 1936 Dott D. Copeland filed a petition (case #6215) to adopt Patricia May Smith. Her mother, Lavonn E. Smith Copeland, filed her written consent, and the petition was granted. Her name was changed to Patricia May Copeland.

COPELAND/CORBIN marriage license warning (1940)

A note found in Hendricks County Marriage Application Book 21 (1939-1941) warns the Hendricks County Clerk not to issue a marriage license to William Roy Copeland and Catherine Corbin of Indianapolis, as he is underage. The note, written by William's mother, reads:

November 5, 1940
Dear Sir,

Please do not issue William Roy Copeland RR 10 Box 295 Indianapolis and Catherine ? Corbin 412 Spring St. Indianapolis a marriage license because the boy is only seventeen but could easily pass for twenty-two. Was born in Indianapolis but claims he was born either in Cincinnati or Canada.

If you are doubtful please contact Miss Fay Terrell of the Juvenile Court at Indianapolis.

Thanking you for your cooperation.

Gratefully yours,
Mrs. Ruth Copeland
RR 10 Box 295
Indianapolis, Ind.

Couldn't you refuse without letting the boy know I wrote.

[NOTE: A search of a marriage index for Marion County found that William Copeland and Katherine Corbin were married there on April 22, 1941]