Historiographer/Archivist Report

Report of the Historiographer/Archivist to the 2022 Diocesan Convention

The work of the Historiographer/Archivist of the Diocese of Michigan is shared by The Rev. James C. Berg and The Rev. William T. Roberts. This is the eighth year we have served in this capacity. We are greatly assisted by Olga Virakhovskaya, Lead Archivist, who succeeded the long-time Diocesan Historiographer and Archivist, Mr. Leonard A. Coombs, who was a curator at the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The Bentley Historical Library is the custodian of the archives of the Diocese of Michigan, and their staff have the responsibility of the archives management and preservation.

While the Diocese of Michigan retains ownership of the archives and does have some management responsibilities, the on-going work is the responsibility of the staff of the Bentley Library. Therefore, the task of the current historiographers/archivists is somewhat reduced and consequently more manageable. Since work in the archives requires a trip to Ann Arbor, requests requiring research in the archives take a bit longer than they did formerly when the archivist was on site at the Bentley. It is possible to determine which congregations have records at the Bentley by going to their website: www.bentley.umich.edu and searching through the Mirlyn finding aid and keying in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.

The Archives of the Diocese of Michigan consist of the records of Diocesan agencies and institutions including those of closed parishes, as well as papers of some of our former Bishops and related documents recording the common life of our community. There is a significant photographic record of the work of the Diocese.

The work of the Diocesan Archivists now consists of three tasks:

1) When a parish or diocesan institution closes, we sift through and gather records germane to its history and work. These are then transferred to the Bentley Library where they are made available to researchers and other interested individuals.

2) From time to time we are asked to search the Diocesan Archives to produce baptismal, confirmation and marriage records, and we usually check on several requests when we go to the Bentley. Requests for these records come from the Bishop’s office and it is to the Bishop’s office that these requests should be directed. Since the pandemic their have been few requests.

3) We are asked to assist the Bishop and her staff in various research projects and to make presentations to Diocesan groups (congregations) about the Archives.

To promote archival education, the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists (NEHA) has recently published a most helpful guide: Archives for Congregations:

A Practical Guide to Developing a Church Archives [2nd edition, ISBN: 9781329111134). It may be ordered from the NEHA website for $6.00. The NEHA website address is episcopalhistorians.org.

Please be aware that the Diocese of Michigan does not, for the most part, maintain the records of active parishes. The maintenance of these records is the responsibility of the parish leadership. However, we are most willing to help with this responsibility, and welcome contact through the Bishop’s Office. When a time capsule was opened it was water-logged. It is recommended that time capsules be placed in water-tight vaults or be in a secure above-ground location. With the closure of St. Elizabeth's, Redford, those records will be curated and placed in the Bentley. We would like to gather information on how the clergy and congregations of the Diocese responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Province V has an archivist network with Newland Smith of Chicago as the coordinator. He can be reached at farnssn@gmail.com.

The Rev. James C. Berg

The Rev. William T. Roberts