On the last day of April, I had the privilege of addressing community members on the topic of our Archives. I encouraged our members to keep in mind the importance of their contributions to the Archives today for the legacy it will leave for tomorrow. Sr. Margaret Grempka had a particularly practical question when I concluded; “What should we be identifying as information for the Archives? What information are you looking for?” Thank you, Sr. Margaret! Knowing that would make it easier to contribute, wouldn’t it?! I hope to give all our members, vowed and covenanted alike, a better idea of what is archival.
To quote Sr. Bernadette (whose writings I often look to for guidance and direction), “ Archives exist for the purpose of collecting, preserving, and making available the use of documents that create a true picture of our history—our life together—our Way of Life.”
Sr. Bernadette continued by writing that it is nearly impossible to get a full picture of the life of the Province when one has only a few, disjointed fragments of information. The problem increases when we take into account that spirituality is the thread that ties everything together in our lives. This is a particularly difficult area to capture. Sr. Bernadette concluded, “Chronological and other reports record actions and statistics. More important than what is done, the activity [itself], is the why—where did the enthusiasm, the will, the strength to do come from? How were the activity and the results perceived by those involved?”
Unfortunately, we are not talking about a list that can be checked off or absolutes in the process of capturing material for the archives. Basically, anything involving your Franciscan community life is valid information. Events, celebrations, significant happenings, and journeys are certainly some of the easiest to identify and to document.
We have been keeping articles by or about our members as they appear in News Chips or Mother Earth Sister Peace. If you participate in a publication that is not received by the Province, we are not able to capture that piece unless it is supplied to us. For example, Sr. Georgene is the poetry editor for a publication called Interreligious Insight. Sr Georgene sends along copies of the publication and copies of her own poems for her drop file. Srs. Melanie, Mary Beth, and Candidate Ellen Heitman are active at St. John Vianney Parish in Brookfield, WI. Occasionally, a church bulletin will highlight a presentation done by our Sisters and they will send it along for the Archives.
“Archives are a source of valuable information, not merely a warehouse for storage,” according to the Policy and Procedures Manual of the Sisters of St. Dominic. The documentation included in Archives reflect the development of our Province, the conduct of its business as a corporation, the individual lives of its members and the people served. The contents comprise anything and everything which helps to preserve the sense of history, the spirit and charism of our Province.
Appraising records to determine their worth to the Archives is an active role of the Archivist. What may be considered archive-worthy? A few guidelines may help you determine what to set aside for the archives.
Any records that pertain to the history of the Wheaton Franciscans and their ministry are top priority. Just as vital, but more difficult to capture, is the “why” behind that ministry, as indicated in Sr. Bernadette’s words. We cherish the spiritual life. Thus, information and artifacts pertaining to this aspect of our lives is crucial. Artwork created by our members and photographs are also key.
Some items are essential to the archives only in context. As an example, Sr. Marion Cronk’s binoculars are part of the Archives. Binoculars, in and of themselves, would not normally be considered archive--worthy. But when one reads Sr. Marion’s “Memories of the Inward Eye” about our land, the vegetation and animal life on the land, then the binoculars through which she saw this life, are worthy of keeping and cherishing.
I hope this has given you a better idea of the kind of documentation and artifacts that would enrich our Archives and tell our stories to those who follow. One rule of thumb (which may be quite different from the rule of thumb one normally uses when going through things) is “When in doubt—Keep.”
I would be happy to go over items with you. Please don’t hesitate to call. To all our Sisters and Covenant Members: I look forward to your contributions!
For more information, contact the Archives & Heritage Coordinator
