The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada Consolidated Archives
We are always happy to discuss potential gifts to the archives with donors. We accept donations which fit within our collections mandate.
You may download our Collection Policy and our Donation Policy here.
Recently there has been an explosion of interest in the field of family history research (otherwise known as genealogy). One reason could be the uncertainty of tomorrow’s future, economically and metaphysically. We are not alone in these unsettling times. Throughout history, our ancestors encountered great depressions and extreme poverty worse than we can imagine. The events and patterns of our present day take on a new appreciation for our family’s past. For some, the study of your family’s history can bring about a feeling of stability in our ever-changing world. For others, genealogy is looked upon as an adventure. It is exciting and challenging. Regardless of whatever piqued your interest in your past, now is the time to take advantage of all the wonderful genealogical resources we have at our disposal.
Where to begin? A good place would be in your own home where you will find evidence of your family history all around you. Begin with yourself. Start by writing down your full name, and then your father’s and mother’s full names working as far back as you are able. Always work from the known to the unknown. Remember to base your calculations on facts, which in turn will help resolve the unknown. Complete as much as possible including the vital statistics of you and your parents. You now have two generations. Now may be a good time to begin charting your new family information. Two simple genealogical charts: the pedigree chart and the family group chart could be used to start putting your genealogy into perspective. Blank charts can be found for free on Cyndi’s List – United States. As your tree expands, you may want to use a genealogical software program to aid in your organization.
Next, check for primary records at home. Primary records are any records created at the time of the event. These would include birth, marriage, and death certificates. Family letters, journals, and diaries could be primary sources if they are recording a particular occasion such as soldier writing home describing his war experiences or a midwife documenting the birth of a child. A death record is a primary source, but also a secondary source for the birth of the deceased. After learning all you can at home, the next step would be contacting and interviewing older relatives who could add not only more pertinent family information, but wonderful stories of the past. With their permission, an audio or video recording would be an excellent way to help document your research. Older relatives’ narratives are a great way to jump start your investigation. They can offer limitless clues for moving backward into new undiscovered territory. But remember—not all stories told are 100% factual. Your Aunt Sally or Grandma Smith may be convinced the family legend is true, but until proven, they are just clues to help you move on.
Bible records are another excellent source of family information. In the past, documenting birth, marriage, and death records were frequently done by writing in the family Bible. Before vital records were required by the county or state, our ancestors often kept their own family records. The value of the Bible records depends greatly on who wrote the records. Was he or she a witness to a birth or death? Or was this secondhand information which was later added to the Bible? Whatever may be the case, Bible records are truly an invaluable research source to the genealogist.
After gleaning as much information from home and family you are probably ready to explore outside sources such as the Internet, library, and the Family History Center. The Internet contains a huge treasure trove of information. Websites such as Ancestry and FamilySearch have literally millions of records at your disposal; in addition, they offer guidance in the way of classes and online seminars. While Ancestry.com is a subscriber-only site, FamilySearch is free to the public. Keep in mind, as you venture into online genealogy that you will not find everything you are seeking to complete your genealogical history. Many records are simply not online. Remember also that just because it is online does not make it true. Many genealogies posted are filled with inaccuracies. You should always do your own research and use the information posted only as a guide.
Most libraries are genealogy friendly. The main headquarters in London, Ontario has a wonderful genealogy area where library patrons can utilize the Internet just for their research. It also subscribes to Ancestry.com for in library use only, although during the pandemic, it is available by logging in from home with your library card. In addition, the library houses an extensive collection of genealogical books and old newspapers.
You’ve been warned: this is a very addicting hobby! Once you begin and find out the real story behind the disappearance of great Uncle Joe or why your great, great grandfather left Ireland in such great hurry, you will be hooked. Like a detective you may travel to archives, county court houses, and cemeteries trying to find that distant cousin who keeps evading you at every turn. If you are seeking only perfect ancestors, then genealogy is probably not for you. Like it or not, there will no doubt be a black sheep or two in your family if you look long enough.
Genealogy is for everyone: young, old, rich or poor. We all have a past which is begging to be discovered. What do you know about your ancestors?
The consolidated archives is a private, religious archives which is under the jurisdiction of the Congregational Leadership. There is a mission statement and policy manual for the archives.
The goal of the archives is to collect past and present records of congregational members and institutions engaged in work that reflects the charism of the congregation from 1852 to the present. These records reflect the development of the congregation, the conduct of its affairs as a corporation, and the personal lives of its members and those served through its various ministries. It is the goal of the archives to make these records accessible to the public unless there are restrictions placed on the records by the donor or for reasons of privacy or sensitivity of the records.
All records created by the formerly separate congregations of Hamilton, London, and Pembroke, prior to November 18, 2012, are kept physically and intellectually separate from the records created by the amalgamated congregation. These records, along with the records of the amalgamated congregation, are kept in the consolidated archives in London. The Peterborough archive retains records created prior to November 18, 2012, as well as records of deceased Sisters from Peterborough, temporarily, until this archive is consolidated.
The consolidated archives contains the business records of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada from November 18, 2012 onward. It also contains the records of the Hamilton, London, and Pembroke archives which have been consolidated with the main archives.
Highlights of the Hamilton archive include records of St. Mary’s Orphanage, Mount St. Joseph Centre, missions in Guatemala and Jamaica, the House of Providence and St. Joseph’s Villa, Bethany House, St. Joseph’s Spirituality Centre, and many other ministries carried out by the Sisters. There are extensive administrative and decision making records as well as artifacts.
Highlights of the London archive include annals of missions across Canada; records of the Mount Saint Joseph Orphanage; Mount Saint Joseph Academy; and St. Joseph’s School of Music. There are also records of hospitals in Galahad, Killam, Stettler and Rimbey, Alberta; Chatham and Sarnia, Ontario; and St. Joseph’s Hospital and School of Nursing in London, Ontario. Included among the community annals are records for many convents and ministries such as Josephs’ House for Refugees; St. Joseph’s Hospitality Centre; and the Detox Centre.
Highlights of the Peterborough archive include records relating to the Peterborough congregation’s ministries, primarily in health care and education in Ontario and western Canada, as well as in Brazil. Holdings include community annals, photographs and some artifacts.
Highlights of the Pembroke archive include photographs, artifacts, and annals, including of the mission in Peru, and St. Mary’s Teachers’ College in Chapeau, Quebec.
The Archives Mission Statement may be downloaded here.
We are committed to carrying on the charism of the Sisters through our volunteer opportunities. This means that our programs have an ethical framework in which we ensure that students are given an opportunity to learn and develop through training and ongoing mentorship in exchange for their work. We strive to comply with best practices such as the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement, as well as all requirements under the law.
You may download the Archives Volunteer Policy here.
Our Archives Policy Manual is available here to download. This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
