Has anyone had any dealings regarding adoption records kept by the Syracuse Catholic Diocese? This is my situation: My grandfather, (deceased since 1982), was adopted in the early 1900's. (He was an only child and his parents are also deceased) My mother and uncle, the only living children, are supportive of this search. The family has been in possession of the court records since before my grandfather's death but there is no mention of his birth parents. He was 1 year and 3 months old before he was placed for adoption at the St. Mary's Maternity Hospital and Infant Asylum. Rumor has it that it was a "family adoption", that the birth mother was the sister of his adopted mother and the birth father may have been the adoptive father. We were told by Catholic Family Charities, which is located in the building which used to be St. Mary's Maternity Hospital and Infant Asylum, that the records might be downtown at the Diocese. I am asking for advice on how to word a request to the Diocese for the records. To whom's attention should I address the letter? What details should I include? What areas should I avoid? Has anyone had any experiences with the Syracuse Catholic Diocese? Does any have any other suggestions on how to obtain the birth parents names? Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Sandy