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Seton Hall University holds the unique distinction of serving as the dual
primary repository for both a major educational institution and religious
see. The Catholic Diocese of Newark (Newark became an Archdiocese in 1937)
was founded in 1853, and since that time materials have been produced in the
form of correspondence, diaries, ledgers and a large photographic collection
which represents the vibrancy of religious and socio-ethnic development in the
context of New Jersey history. The cornerstone of this compilation are the
manuscript and business papers produced by each Bishop and Archbishop of
Newark over the 150+ years of diocesan activity. These representatives
include James Roosevelt Bayley (1853-1872), Michael Augustine Corrigan
(1873-1880), Winand Wigger (1881-1901), John Joseph O'Connor (1901-1927),
Thomas J. Walsh (1928-1952), Thomas A. Boland (1953-1974), Peter L. Gerety
(1974-1986), Theodore Cardinal McCarrick (1986-2000) and John J. Myers
(2001-Present) along with various Auxiliary Bishops and other key
administrators. The personal/business papers of various members of the
clergy compliment a growing number of detailed priest files. Another
important aspect of this collection includes individual church histories
from St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral and the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred
Heart along with a number of parishes located in the counties of Essex,
Hudson, Bergen, Union (which comprise the present boundaries of the
Archdiocese of Newark) and others throughout the Garden State. The presence
of church census data, select religious community information, educational
files and various institutional and parish records are also found within this collection.
Original and microfilmed nineteenth and early twentieth century sacramental
registers from both current or closed parishes and various local cemeteries
provide a wealth of information for those conducting genealogical research
either on-site or via mail inquiry as well. Supplementing these distinctive
resources are bound or microfilmed copies of Catholic Almanacs and
Directories dating from 1851 onward, but more specific information on these
resources can be found by contacting Alan Delozier, Director via e-mail:
delozial@shu.edu or phone at: (973)
275-2378.
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