The Archives of the Archdiocese of New York serve as the final repository for the archdiocese’s historical records. The Archives documents the history of the archdiocese by collecting, preserving, and making available the permanent and official records of the Archdiocese of New York, its people, parishes, offices, and institutions.
Accessing Records
The Archives also provide historical resources for members of the scholarly community, authors, and other interested persons who seek to evaluate the difference that the archdiocese has made on the Church and the society as a whole. In order to fully document archdiocesan history, the Archives additionally seek out records such as personal papers, photographs, publications, historical artifacts, and audio-visual materials that will increase the understanding of the work of the archdiocese.
Current Exhibit
On December 4, 1885, the Rev. John J. Riordan purchased Watson House, at 7 State Street in lower Manhattan, and formally established the Home of the Mission of Our Lady of the Rosary for the Protection of Irish Immigrant Girls. Through the pioneering efforts of emigration reformer Charlotte Grace O’Brien, Fr. Riordan and the priests that came after him, the Mission helped more than 100,000 women. This exhibit examines this the exhibit examines this extraordinary undertaking, an untold story of New York’s Irish Catholics. Featured are the original ledger books from the Mission, containing more than 60,000 names and genealogical information not found anywhere else. The exhibit also analyzes the connection of the Catholic Church to the Mission and highlights new research being done on the women who came through Watson House.
To visit the exhibit, contact the Archives at [email protected] or 914-476-6333.
To view the digital version of the exhibit, click here.
Archival Policies
The Archives of the Archdiocese of New York is open to all qualified persons subject to the following regulations.
Access Policy
- The Archives of the Archdiocese of New York is open to all qualified researchers who are interested in learning more about the history of Catholicism in New York City and State. The guiding principal is equal access for anyone with legitimate interest in the repository’s holdings.
- Prospective users of the Archives are required to complete an application which clearly outlines the subject and objective of their research as well as their qualifications. The application can be found here.
- Please contact Archives staff for an appointment before visiting the Archives.
- Undergraduate students are not admitted into the Archives.
- Material may not be removed from the Archives without permission.
- Access and use of select collections or series within collections may be restricted. As a general policy, records are closed for a period of 50 years after creation. Materials that are exceptionally fragile or are confidential in nature are not available to the public.
- Questions on access policies for individual collections or series may be directed to the Archivist of the Archdiocese of New York.
PLEASE NOTE: THE ARCHIVES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK, AS A REPOSITORY FOR HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND EPHEMERA SERVES THE PROFESSIONAL HISTORICAL AND THEOLOGICAL COMMUNITY. THE ARCHIVES DOES NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION ON SACRAMENTAL RECORDS, NOR DOES THE ARCHIVES PROVIDE GENEALOGICAL SERVICES.
Reference Room Policy
- Researchers must bring only those materials needed for research to the document research area. All coats, bags, briefcases, and other personal articles must be left in space provided. Archives staff reserves the right to inspect all research materials, briefcases, bags, and all other personal articles before a researcher leaves the research room.
- Smoking, eating, and drinking are forbidden in the research room.
- All notes must be taken in pencil, computer, or tape recorder. NO INK IS PERMITTED.
- Use of cameras is only permitted by permission of the Archivist. Flash photography is never permitted.
- Photocopies are available from Archives staff for a fee of $0.10 per page. Digital scans can also be requested from Archives staff, to be placed on a user-proved zip drive or CD, for a fee of $0.10 per page/item.
- Archival material is fragile. Do not write upon, lean upon, mark, or otherwise mishandle material. Any damage to material should be reported to staff immediately.
- Please preserve the existing order of material. If any material is discovered to be out of order, please notify the staff. Do not rearrange material.
Reproduction and Publication Policy
- The Archives of the Archdiocese of New York recognizes its responsibility to facilitate access to its collections by permitting the reproduction, reprinting, or publishing of archival material. However, the physical condition of material or other restrictions may prohibit or limit reproduction capability. The Archivist shall decide when and to what degree these restrictions apply. To request permission, please complete the Permission to Publish form.
- Reproductions are for the researcher’s personal use. They must not be reduplicated or transferred to another person or institution. Researchers who wish to photocopy materials should make a request to the Archives staff.
- Permission to use material does not include the right to publish these materials. Written permission must be obtained from the Archdiocesan Archivist before material is published, reprinted, or duplicated in any way.
- A one-time usage fee will be charged to anyone who wishes to reproduce an item for publication. A one-time usage fee of $40.00 per item will be charged.
- Permission granted by the Archives is for one time use only. Reuse is not permitted without authorization by the Archives of the Archdiocese of New York.
- The Archdiocese of New York does not claim to control the copyright for all material in its collection. The publishing party assumes responsibility for determining copyright and for all infringements of copyright.
- In authorizing publication of material, the Archive does not surrender its own right to publish or to grant others permission to do so.
Citation Policy
- Proper acknowledgement or credit must be given to the Archdiocesan Archives for all material used. Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date (if known); Collection title, collection number; box number, folder number. Archives of the Archdiocese of New York, St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie.
- The Archives would appreciate receiving copies of any research results.
School Record Access Policies
- Only the following authorized recipients of student records are able to request a transcript:
- The student named in the record (if over age 18 or an emancipated minor);
- A parent or legal guardian of the student (if the student is under age 18);
- Officials of Archdiocese of New York schools;
- Other parties as designated in writing by persons (1) through (3) above;
- Other parties as designated by court order, subpoena, summons, or statute.
- In order to request a transcript, the person should fill out the appropriate Record Request Form and return it to the Archives with identification and the fee. All requests must be sent via mail. No in-person or faxed requests will be accepted.
- Transcripts will be sent through the mail. They cannot be emailed or faxed.
- No information can be given out over the phone.
- Please know that it takes Archives staff up to 2 weeks to process the request after it has been received in the mail. All efforts will be made to mail out the transcript as soon as possible, but please allow time for turn-around, given your location and the postal system.
- Official transcripts can only be sent to: educational institutions, employers, and authorized investigative agencies. Official transcripts are stamped with a seal, and are provided in a sealed envelope. They are accompanied with a letter of authenticity.
- Only Unofficial transcripts of their own transcript can be provided to (former) students and / or guardians. Unofficial transcripts are not stamped with a seal. They are marked “Issued to Student.”
Historical School Records Access Policy
- When available, Student Census, Attendance Books, Roll books, and Attendance Registers created before 1930 are available for historical research. Finding Guides for collections available for research may be found in our collections list.
- Transcripts and school records that contain grades or test scores are restricted to the student of record. Only the student of record and the school district of origin may request these records.
- In most cases, research is allowed in student records if the record was created before 1920. To request historical access to student records, contact the Archives.
Collections
001: Bishop John DuBois Papers
002: Archbishop John Hughes Papers
003: John Cardinal McCloskey Collection
004: Archbishop Michael Corrigan Collection
004.002: Archbishop Corrigan Clipping Collection
005: John Cardinal Farley Collection
006: Patrick Cardinal Hayes Collection
006.001: Cardinal Hayes Daily Planners
006.002: Cardinal Hayes Scrapbooks
007: Francis Cardinal Spellman Collection
007.001: Then Henry Family Collection
007.002: Cardinal Spellman Diaries & Planners
011: Archdiocesan Parishes
011.001: Parish History Files
011.002: Anniversary Journals & Publications
012: Cathedrals
012.001: Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral
013: Seminaries
013.003: St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie
013.004: Cathedral College Seminary
014: Archdiocesan Schools
015: Catholic Charities Collection
015.001: Holy Name Centre
015.002: St. Rose’s Settlement Home
016: Prints & Photographs
017: Papal Visits
017.001: 1965 Pope Paul VI
017.002: 1979 Pope John Paul II Visit
017.003: 1995 Pope John Paul II Visit
017.004: 2008 Pope Benedict Visit
017.005: 2015 Pope Francis Visit
019.001: Newspapers & Journals
020: Religious Orders
020.001: Collection of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Christian Doctrine
020.002: Collection of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace
020.003: Sisters of Divine Compassion Collection
021: Chancery Office
021.001: Parish Status Animarum
021.002: Parish Financial Reports
021.007: Catholic Church in Cuba
022: Archdiocesan Priests
022.001: Richard Burtsell Papers
022.002: John M. Brew Papers
022.003: Austin Vaughan Papers
022.004: Bishop Bonaventure Broderick Collection
023: Archdiocesan Groups, Organizations, & Institutions
024: Pamphlets & Publications
025: Events
025.001: Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
025.002: 1964/5 World’s Fair
027: Oral History Collection