Ken White
Director

 Burris E. Esplen
Associate Archivist

 Danette Alderson

About the Archives and Records Center





The Archives and Records Center

 The Archives was established in 1918 by the fifth Bishop of Pittsburgh, J. F. Regis Canevin.  Bishop Canevin charged the Archives with collecting and preserving those records of historical significance that document the history of the diocese and of Catholicism in Western Pennsylvania.  In 1993, that charge was again renewed with the establishment of the Archives and Records Center. 

 The Archives and Records Center is located in stately Synod Hall.  Built in 1914 as the Chancery, this building makes a wonderful and secure place to view and store the records of the Church of Pittsburgh. 
 

What We Do

 The purpose of the Archives and Records Center is to establish an archival and records management program for central diocesan administration, parishes, schools and all other diocesan related institutions and organizations.  We collect, maintain and preserve the records of organizations and institutions engaged in the work of the Catholic Church in the six Southwestern Pennsylvania counties (Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington) included in the Diocese.  We make this information available to diocesan officials, the Catholic community, historians and other researchers. 

 The Archives and Records Center also assists parishes, schools and diocesan offices in managing their records.  We prepare records retention schedules and offer advice as to how offices can better control and manage their records. 

 We operate an outreach program to make the larger community of Southwestern Pennsylvania aware of the rich historical heritage of the Church of Pittsburgh.  This is done through talks to groups, exhibits and other programs. 
 
 

Hours of Operation

 The Archives and Records Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The Center is closed on national holidays and Holy Days. 
 

Who Can Use the Archives

 Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Church of Pittsburgh and Catholicism in Western Pennsylvania can use the Archives and Records Center's research room.  Upon entering the Archives, researchers are asked to familiarize themselves with the access policy and the research room and fee policies.  Finding guides have been prepared to help researchers locate the records they need.  We encourage researchers to make an appointment before visiting us. 

 A major exception to this rule is the sacramental records.  Sacramental records are not open to public inspection.  The Archives and Records Center staff will do genealogical research on request for a fee.  Individuals interested in genealogical research should request a research request form by writing or calling the Archives and Records Center. 

Photocopying fees

Duplication services for records other than sacramental records are available for a charge of $.15 per copy.  Due to their fragile condition we will not photocopy our sacramental records.  Copies of photographs are available for a fee of $25.00 for 5 x 7 prints and $30.00 for 8 x 10 prints.  United States copyright laws apply to all duplicated materials. 

Donations

 The Archives and Records Center encourages donations of personal papers, books, administrative files, correspondence, photographs, videotapes and other documentary material from Catholics throughout Western Pennsylvania.  We are interested in anything that documents the history and the work of the Catholic Church or the life or experience of Catholics in the area. 

 Prospective donors should contact the Archives and Records Center regarding the material to be donated.  Donors will be presented with a form which describes the gift and outlines the donor's waiver of ownership and restrictions on use. 

 Diocesan offices, parishes and institutions need to consult their records retention schedule to determine what records are slated for transfer to the Archives.  Once the determination has been made as to the disposition of the records, the office should complete a Records Transfer Form.  (If an office does not have this form, contact the Archives and Records Center to receive one.)  After we receive the form, we will make arrangements to have the records picked up. 

 If an office does not have a records retention schedule, they should contact the Director of the Archives and Records Center to have one developed for them.  If an office without a schedule believes that their records should be transferred to the Archives, they should contact us.  We will accept some records on a case by case basis. 
 

Where We Are Located

 The Archives and Records Center is located in Cardinal Dearden Center, 4721 Fifth Ave. in Oakland.  We are directly across the street from Central Catholic High School. 

Last updated January 28, 2008. 

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GENEALOGICAL INFORMATION | PARISH FOUNDING DATES AND PHOTOS | HISTORICAL RECORDS COLLECTION | DIOCESAN MAP | LINKS TO PENNSYLVANIA DIOCESES

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;  Searching for your Catholic ancestors; information for genealogists

Photo gallery and  list of parishes in the diocese by county and founding date

This Day in Diocesan History.  Find out what happened on this day in the Diocese of Pittsburgh

Guide to the historical records holdings in the Archives

Links to other dioceses in Pennsylvania