Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Grand Falls

Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Grand Falls

• Diocesan Archives, Diocese of Grand Falls

• Religious

The present Diocese of Grand Falls extends from Shale Point, White Bay, South to Grey River along the South Coast to St. Alban’s area and on eastward to Conception Bay and all points in between, encompassing 30 parishes. The first Bishop, Rev John Dalton was appointed in 1856, initially residing in Carbonear. In 1860 Bishop Dalton moved the episcopal residence to Harbour Grace, a town second in political and economic significance only to St. John’s. Due to rapid economic and population growth in central Newfoundland, Bishop John M. O’Neill transferred the See to Grand Falls in 1953.

After moving to Grand Falls all Diocesan historical material was stored in a vault in the basement of the Diocesan Administration Building. On November 1, 1982 Sister Magdelen O’Brien of The Sisters of The Presentation was officially hired as Diocesan Archivist.

It is the mandate of the Diocesan Archivist to collect, process and preserve the records, historical documents and articles, for those who have a legitimate need to use the collection; to accept the records no longer needed in the administration offices and parishes, and to examine, arrange and process them, and to prepare finding aids which would help in the use of these records.

The Diocesan Archives is the official repository of all documents created by the parishes of the Diocese. The contents of the archives reflect the growth and development of the diocese. Personal letters, journals, published papers or books written by individual Priests and Bishops are deposited in the Archives as well. These holdings encompass the Diocese’s history in Newfoundland since 1808.

Hours of operation are Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Researchers are required to register and become aware of the archives’ regulations.

All material must be consulted in the archival area and no original material may be taken from the building.

Reproductions of some photographs and copying of other material may be requested. Special request forms may be completed. Patrons shall pay the cost of reproductions and photocopying, plus a service fee as a contribution toward the time needed for these reproductions.

Draft

Partial

Created - April 10, 2013

• English

2001 ANLA Member Institutions Directory http://www.rcdiocesegrandfalls.ca/Archives.html