Transcripts from the Irish College in Rome


Collection MC 53

1832-1848
(0.2 Linear feet ; 1 small box)

Summary Information

Repository
Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center
Creator
American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia. American Catholic Historical Society .
Title
Transcripts from the Irish College in Rome
ID
MC 53
Date [inclusive]
1832-1848
Extent
0.2 Linear feet ; 1 small box
Author
Finding aid prepared by Processing Intern, Hoang Tran
Language
English
Language of Materials note
Nearly all materials are in English, except for one in Latin but is translated into English in proceeding correspondence.
Abstract
In the late 19th century, the archivist of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia H. T. Henry began collecting transcripts to be used in a series that would be published in the Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia. The series was titled, "Papers Relating to the Church in America". A total of six series were produced; the first series appeared in 1896 and the final series appeared in 1898. The Transcripts from the Irish College in Rome Records, 1832-1848, comprises of a 360 page transcript of correspondence that originated from the archives of the Irish College in Rome. Topics discussed in the correspondence focus primarily on Catholicity in America during the 19th century. Contents in this collection are considered the unedited transcripts that were most likely used and referenced by the Society for the publication of "Papers Relating to the Church in America: Sixth Series". The series was published in Volume 9 of the 1898 Records of American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia (pages 1-34).

Preferred Citation note

Cite as: [Indicate cited item or series here], Transcripts from the Irish College in Rome (MC 53), Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center.

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Biographical/Historical note

The typed transcripts in this collection are of correspondence that is part of the Cullen and Kirby Collections housed at the Pontifical Irish College’s Archives. Paul Cullen (1803-1878), the first Irish cardinal, and Tobias Kirby (1804-1895), were two of the most preeminent rectors of the Irish College in Rome. Cullen served as rector from 1821-1849, and was succeeded by Kirby, a priest of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, who had served as vice-rector of the College since 1836. Kirby served as rector for forty-one years from 1850 until he retired in 1891.

In 1896, the American Catholic Historical Society’s Archivist, H. T. Henry, traveled to the Irish College in Rome and transcribed letters from American priests and bishops who had corresponded with Cullen and Kirby. Henry published edited versions of these transcripts in the Records of the American Catholic Historical Society (volumes 7-9). The intent was to document some of people and events connected with the history of Catholicity in North America. Correspondents include Francis P. Kenrick, Peter R. Kenrick, Edward Barron, Michael O’Connor, John England, John Hughes, William Clancy, John Thomas Hynes, Thomas James Power, James Rogers, and John Walsh.

Beginning in the 1896 Records of American Catholic Historical Society Volume 7, the Society began publishing a series of letters dealing primarily with the personages and events connected with the history of Catholicity in America. The Society knew that it was impractical for them to try to write a narrative of the Church in America. Instead, the Society believed it was in the best interest to scholars and students of Catholic history in America to provide some desirable information.

The first and second series can be found in Volume 7, 1896, pages 283-388 and 454-492; the third, fourth, and fifth series can be found in Volume 8, 1897, pages 195-240, 294-329, 450-512; and the sixth and last series can be found in Volume 9, 1898, pages 1-34.

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Scope and Contents note

The Transcripts from the Irish College in Rome records, 1832-1848, consists of a 360 page transcript of correspondences between members and associates of American and European clergy regarding the Catholic Church in America. Transcripts were copied from the Portfolio of American Papers in the archives of the Irish College, Rome, where the original can be found. The transcripts were collected by the the archivist of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, H. T. Henry, who most likely used them for the publication of the series titled "Papers Related to the Church in America" found in Volumes 7-9 in the Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia. Nearly all transcripts include the name of the correspondent, recipient, date, and location. All correspondence are in English, with the exception of one that is in Latin; however, the translated copy proceeds the correspondence in Latin.

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Arrangement note

Correspondences seem to have no logical arrangement other than numerical order when it was copied from the archives of the Irish College in Rome and sent to the American Catholic Historical Society.

Collection is arranged into one series:

Series I: Transcripts of Correspondence

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center February 2013

100 E. Wynnewood Rd.
Wynnewood, PA

Conditions Governing Access note

There are no restrictions to access this collection. Please note that the archives reserves the right to restrict access to materials of sensitive nature.

Conditions Governing Use note

There are no restrictions to use this collection. Please note that copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Processing Information note

Because this collection was fairly small and organized, a MPLP approach was applied.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Materials note

PAHRC has partnered with the Digital Library @ Villanova University. Falvey Library has digitized materials from our Records of American Catholic Historical Society, Volume 1-13.

Researchers can access the digitized collections with this link:

http://digital.library.villanova.edu/Catholica%20Collection/American%20Catholic%20Historical%20Society/Records/

For direct access to the published material that relates specifically to this collection, please visit this link:

http://digital.library.villanova.edu/Catholica%20Collection/American%20Catholic%20Historical%20Society/Records/Volume%209/Volume9-00002.xml

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Controlled Access Headings

Genre(s)

  • Correspondence
  • Transcription

Personal Name(s)

  • Barron, Edward, 1801-1854
  • Cullen, Paul, Bishop, 1803-1878
  • Kenrick, Francis Patrick, 1796-1863
  • Kirby, Tobias, 1804-1895
  • O'Connor, Michael, (Bishop), 1810-1872

Subject(s)

  • Catholic Church--United States--History--19th century.
  • Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Pa.)--History--19th century.
  • Irish American Catholics.

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Collection Inventory

 

 American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia. American Catholic Historical Society ., Series I. Transcripts of Correspondence, 1832-1848,  0.2 Linear feet ; 1 small box

Arrangement note

Series is divided into three folders and in sequential order as the archives of the Irish College in Rome had copied.

Consists of one large file of transcripts that include correspondence between:

1. Bishop Kenrick to Dr. Cullen

2. Bishop Barron to Dr. Cullen

3. Bishop England to Dr. Cullen

4. J.G. Schwarz to Bishop England

5. Reverend J. Power to Dr. Cullen

6. Janes Cummings to Dr. Cullen

7. Bishop Purcell to Bishop England

8. Reverend J. Power to Dr. Cullen

9. Reverend William Whelan to Dr. Cullen

10. Bishop Flaget to Dr. Cullen

11. Bishop Barron to Dr. Kirby

12. Dr. Wilson to Dr. Cullen

13. Bishop M. O'Connor to Dr. Cullen

14. Bishop Jas. Browne to Dr. Cullen

15. Bishop M. O'Connor to Reverend P.R. Kenrick

16. Reverend J. A. Kinsella to Dr. Cullen

17. Bishop Purcell to Dr. Cullen

18. Bishop Hughes to Dr. Cullen

19. Father Mathew to Dr. Kirby

20. Father Mathew to Dr. Cullen

21. Bishop Clancy to Dr. Cullen

22. Reverend Messrs Rogers and Walsh to Dr. Cullen

23. Bishop R. P. Smith to Dr. Cullen

Box
1
Folder
1-3