Archives of the Archdiocese of Hartford

The new Code of Canon Law features several canons which mandate the need for an Archives on both the parish and diocesan levels. Canon 486.2 states that "there is to be established in a safe place a diocesan archive...in which the instruments and writings which refer to both the spiritual and temporal affairs of the diocese, properly arranged and diligently secured, are to be safeguarded." In keeping with this canon, and also the 1974 Document on Ecclesiastical Archives published by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Archdiocese of Hartford has committed itself to the operation of a professionally managed Archives.

MISSION

The purpose of the Archives of the Archdiocese of Hartford is to collect, preserve, and make available for research the official and ancillary records which reflect the work of the Catholic Church within the Archdiocese of Hartford. Erected in accordance with Canon 482, the archives are the direct responsibility of the Chancellor but are administered by the Archivist who is granted canonical faculties to fulfill this mandate. The archives seeks to promote an understanding of the origin, history, growth, and goals of the archdiocese as reflected in the workings of its offices, agencies, and institutions. Official records are defined as:

All recorded information regardless of media type or characteristics, made or received and maintained by an office, agency, or institution in pursuance of its legal obligations or in the transaction of its business.

It also seeks to collect, preserve, and make available for research those records of individuals and organizations engaged in work which reflects the ministry of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese.

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

The Archives of the Archdiocese of Hartford adheres to the following Record Group system:

I. Archbishops
II. Auxiliary Bishops
III. Chancery
IV. Parishes
V. Archdiocesan Offices
VI. Institutions
VII. Personal Papers
VIII. Audiovisual Materials

Please note access restrictions may apply to any of the collections.

Archival information on Archdiocesan churches available on the web site:
Churches listed by date of establishment.
Churches and dates of establishment listed by city.
List of merged and suppressed (closed) parishes.
For current information on parishes, click here.

GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH

Resources available at the Archives for people working on family histories include:

SACRAMENTAL REGISTERS 1829-1999 [Microfilm]
Baptismal, marriage, first communion, confirmation, and death records from all of the 215 parishes in the Archdiocese. A finding aid is available. In keeping with the U.S. Census Bureau’s guidelines regarding privacy, ALL BAPTISMAL RECORDS LESS THAN SEVENTY-TWO YEARS OLD ARE CLOSED TO RESEARCH.

HISTORICAL RESEARCH

Researchers utilize our collections to work on a variety of projects, including theses & dissertations, parish histories, scholarly works, and newspaper articles. Recent scholarship at the archives covered many diverse topics: Civil War chaplains, Bishop Joseph F. Donnelly, and the history of Sacred Heart Church, Suffield.

Besides our manuscript collections, researchers are also encouraged to utilize our secondary sources, including the following:

The Catholic Church in Connecticut, by Rev. Thomas Duggan.
The Catholic Transcript, 1829-present, archdiocesan newspaper on microfilm.
Connecticut Catholic Directory, 1954-present
Hartford’s Catholic Legacy: Leadership, by Sr. Dolores Liptak, 2000.
Hartford’s Catholic Legacy: Parishes, by Joseph Duffy, 1994.
The History of the Catholic Church in the New England States, 2v., 1899.
History of the Diocese of Hartford, by James H. O’Donnell, 1900.
Official Catholic Directory, 1850-present.
Parish Histories.

Check with archives staff for more resources and information on our collections.

VISITING THE ARCHIVES

RESEARCH HOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed Legal Holidays, Good Friday and Easter.
Free parking is available behind the Chancery.

FOR APPOINTMENTS:
Telephone: (860) 541-6491 ask for Archives or the Archivist, Maria Medina.
Genealogical requests should be in writing [please, no telephone requests], or, by appointment to visit the Archives.
FAX: (860) 541-6309
Fax requests will be answered in order of receipt, along with regular mail.