Latin document mentioning: Jacob Shanahan, 45; Brigitta Shanahan, 35; Borris O'Leigh [sic] [Borrisoleigh] in county Tipperary, Ireland; now living in Great Yarmouth.

Fr Ryan, PP at Borrisleigh, has written providing background information about the Shanahans.

Fr Ryan, PP at Borrileigh has written (letter enclosed) with all the information needed.
p.s. Fr Thompson cannot get about yet - had a relapse - voice fine, cough worse, must wait for a change in the weather.

Case of the Irish-American James Shanahan & his first cousin Bridget Shanahan. Fr Thompson has received the baptismal certificates for both from the PP (Fr Ryan) at Borrisleigh, Co. Tipperary. Still not clear whether they are free to marry - although both appear regularly at services and want to regularise things over their registry office marriage. He suggests that they could be asked to swear an oath on a Statement of Freedom.

Approach by Shanahans to be legally married in the eyes of the church following a registry office marriage on 26 January. They thought they were doing the right thing but now know it was not so. The urgency arises as the man, a US Army NCO, considers he may be recalled soon. They are first cousins. Fr Thompson has his doubts since he is aware of 3 false statements: 1 the registry office was actually in London, 2. the man is retired from the army, 3. the woman has lived for 12 years in Bungay and not recently in Ireland.
Manuscript annotation: "Answered. Cannot do anything till more enquiries are made about the couple. Three false statements to begin with is a bit tall!"

Encloses the Dispensation tax. The US Army considers the man Shanahan to be unmarried. Fr Thompson says they are rotters, the woman's the worst, and is glad to get them off his hands. She said, on being advised of the fee due Rome, that the whole thing was a commercial business and that all is needed is money to "smooth away all the difficulties". Fr Thompson suggested that they do the favour of clearing out of his parish.