Welcome to the U.S. East-West Province Archives of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The Mission of the Archives is to preserve the unique legacy of the EW Province and to assist researchers in their work. The EW Province Archives documents the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in New England and California.
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur EW Provincial Archives includes records for:
The Order’s government records, including chapter papers, team meeting records, constitutions and rules of the Order; these include papers from the Massachusetts, Connecticut and California provinces.
Records documenting the Reverend Mothers, Provincial Superiors and Leadership Teams. These include journals, prints, correspondence, photographs, videos, audiotapes and artifacts.
Papers for the Education Missions in Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Oregon and beyond, including journals, annals, school registers, yearbooks, videos, audiotapes and photographs documenting the history and changes in these ministries. Also included are the records for the Notre Dame du Lac and the Notre Dame Health Care Center in Worcester.
Records for Ministries Abroad, including those in Hawaii, Japan, China, Brazil, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Papers, photographs and artifacts from individual sisters chronicling their ministries, work and lives.
Video and audio tapes documenting events hosted by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, including those born digital.
Artifacts collected and used by the Order since its founding in 1804.
Digital copies of many SND school yearbooks can be found, arranged by city or town, in the Yearbooks page, as well as in the dropdown menu.
More Information can be found in the Finding Aids.
Hi there, about a dozen or so of us from our Alma Mater “St Teresa School” 1966 Providence RI have been trying to remember some of the Sisters of Notre Dame we had back then. Do you know of any archive we can see to help us reminisce and bring back some memories? 48 years ago.
By: Robert Parascandolo on February 24, 2014
at 6:13 pm
Thank you for writing. Yes, I have some records from St. Teresa’s School. Contact me through my email and I’ll see what I have. If I don’t have anything, I’ll see who does.
By: bicarchivist on February 24, 2014
at 7:03 pm
That would be great. I would really appreciate any information you have. Would this be your e-mail address? Mine is robertnp13@yahoo.com
By: Robert Parascandolo on February 24, 2014
at 7:43 pm
Dear Sister:
Your Boston Province of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur sent many Sisters to educate students at three schools in Hawaii during the decades from 1950-1970 when the California Province of Notre Dame took over.
The schools taught by your Boston Sisters were:
Star of the Sea School
Star of the Sea Hight School
Holly Family School.
Do you have a list of sisters who taught thousands of students at these schools?
Due to Vatican II, many sisters were know by two names when the change took place in the late Sixties. Would appreciate any feedback on this inquiry. Thanks.
Richard
By: Richard Morris on June 30, 2014
at 6:00 pm
I do have lists of Sisters who served in Hawaii. Do you have any particular sister in mind?
By: bicarchivist on July 14, 2014
at 2:03 pm
I am writing to you on behalf of one of our parishioners, Ms Joan McGrath, 518 Peachtree Rd, Orlando, FL 32804. She is no longer able to donate and is requesting to be removed from your solicitation list.
Thanks and God Bless,
By: Mary on December 3, 2014
at 5:41 pm
Hello, I have nothing to do with solicitations. I’m the archivist. You would need to contact the Sisters of Notre Dame Mission Office for that.
By: bicarchivist on December 3, 2014
at 5:54 pm
Dear Sisters,
I am very much interested in this hymn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBYEQvVRRKQ
which I believe was written by one of the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1907.
Could you please send me the sheet music, and also the name, birth year and death year of the sister who wrote it?
Many sincere thanks for this!
God bless,
Christian
By: Christian Catsanos on February 20, 2015
at 7:18 am
Hi Christian, I have the words for the hymn written c. 1910, however, all that is contained in the hymnal are the words, not the music used for the song. Usually the sisters knew the music by heart so there little need for them to write it down for themselves. Sorry I can’t be more help.
By: bicarchivist on February 23, 2015
at 1:30 pm
Not to worry! The music is on the YouTube link so I can easily transcribe it myself with your permission! Does it name the Sister who wrote it?
By: Christian Catsanos on February 24, 2015
at 12:15 pm
There is no information on the sister who wrote it. That’s not unusual as most early publications, songs, etc. written by sisters didn’t name them as they were supposed to be humble. And yes, you have permission to transcribe the song. It is in public domain. Enjoy!
By: bicarchivist on February 24, 2015
at 12:41 pm
Many thanks! What would be the appropriate way to credit, simply “Lyrics and music by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Boston Ipswich, c. 1910” ?
By: Christian Catsanos on February 24, 2015
at 12:42 pm
The credit would be Lyrics and music by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Massachusetts, c. 1910.
By: bicarchivist on February 24, 2015
at 12:52 pm
Hello, I just came across your website and saw that someone was/is looking for the sheet music for “Beautiful Angel.” I have a copy of “Convent Hymns and Music as Used by the Pupils of the Sisters of Notre Dame.” The hymn book was published in 1891 and the hymn “Beautiful Angel is included in it. There are no attributions anywhere in the hymn book as to muisc/lyricists. The book I have was published by Rockcliff Brothers Ltd., Catholic Printers and Stationers, 44 Castle Street, Liverpool. Hope this information helps.
By: M Parton on July 19, 2016
at 4:24 pm
Hi Christian,
Thanks. I actually have that in the archival collection but I appreciate you letting me know about your copy.
Nancy
By: newenglandarchivist on July 19, 2016
at 5:21 pm
Thanks, it was actually M Parton who had a copy Nancy.
Thanks to you both!
By: Christian Catsanos on July 20, 2016
at 5:37 am
Hello from Hiroshima Japan.
I am MK Nunley, My Aunt was Sr. Marguerite Ledwell & I met some of you in Ipswich as I traveled from California across the country & ultimately to Guantanamo Bay Cuba
I was sure the SND convent was in Hiroshima but am confused as I was told it is 2 or more hours from the Marine Base @ Iwakuni
Can U s advise if there is an email contact for the convent here & if there is any chance someone there now rembers my precious Aunt ?
My Mother, Marguerite V. Nunley was her sister
Thanks in advance
MK Nunley
(Still in the Navy Nurse Corps, now working in Okinawa)
By: MK Nunley on June 25, 2015
at 6:54 am
Please could you send me information on how to become a sister
By: Sabrina McAlpine on November 3, 2016
at 10:10 am
Dear Sabrina, Go to this site http://www.snddenusa.org/join_us.php and information is provided about becoming a Sister of Notre Dame.
By: newenglandarchivist on November 3, 2016
at 10:48 am
I attended Sacred Heart School in 1960-1969 era and many female students went on to Sacred Heart High School, later Notre Dame High School until it closed 1989? Any pictures or records in the archives of this era as I have not been successful in obtaining any. Thank you.
By: Richard Maher on February 9, 2017
at 3:59 am
Hi. I am looking for my great aunt. Sr. Mary Pacifica (Agnes Marie Bauler) 1907 – 1989. This is about all I can find on her:
“A big event, widely welcomed and filled with great preparatory efforts, was the reunion of all alumni of Saint Agnes Schools. Scheduled for July 9, 1983, it brought together men and women from nearly every class. Mass, visits to the school buildings, dinner and dance at the Prom ballroom on University Avenue near Lexington, and various exhibits of photos and memorabilia occupied the weekend. Mrs. James Lachowitzer coordinated the entire program which gave new life to the alumni organization and marked the
beginning of the Aggie Archives, a quarterly newsletter for all the alumni. The annual giving campaign, sponsored by the schools to provide for the overgrowing needs of maintaining first class instruction, originated in the reunion of 1983. Present for the reunion were many of the School Sisters of Notre Dame who over the past years taught at Saint Agnes. Among those who celebrated various jubilees at Saint Agnes were Sister Nicolette Welter, Sister Adelia Breimhorst, Sister Pacifica Bauler, Sister Rosalie Siebenaler, Sister Celine Koktan, Sister Alcantara Franke, Sister Dora Kuhn, Sister Leona Betzen, Sister Sheila McCall, Sister Leanore Stanton, Sister Felicitas
Blaeser, Sister Albina Olheiser and Sister Alma Soler.” from this: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56ae37e53b0be3cfbf14c2df/t/57d82683414fb5d1ebefb40c/1473783430939/History+of+St.+Agnes.pdf
By: Deb Krause on September 2, 2017
at 8:19 pm
Hi Deb,
After a quick search, I see that your great aunt was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, not Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. It is very confusing as their are 3 Notre Dame congregations–the Sisters of Notre Dame, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. They are 3 separate congregations. Unfortunately, the congregation is consolidating their archives, so they are not taking genealogical requests at this time. However, if you want to try to contact for the communications team, maybe they can help. The email is communications@ssnd.org
I wish you the best with your search.
Nancy
By: newenglandarchivist on September 5, 2017
at 1:39 pm
Hi, I graduated from Holy Rosary Grammar School in 1955 in Lawrence MA. I was there from Kindergarten to the 8th grade. Do you have a list of the nuns who taught there then and information about them. I can remember Sr. Dolores, Sr. Catherine Josepha, Sr. Xavier Marie, Sr. Margaret St.Anthony, Sr. Margaret Justina, Sr. Mary St.George, Sr. Agnes Richard and Sr. Julie Denise. At. St. Mary’s High School in Lawrence I recall Sr. Gabriel,
By: Lenora Salvucci on November 8, 2017
at 11:47 am
Hi Lenora,
I will send you the list to your email once I’ve assembled it.
Nancy
By: newenglandarchivist on November 8, 2017
at 12:02 pm
Hello again…
Thank you so much for sharing the content of the SND archives. As mentioned our family grew up in the area of Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield Mass. and the memories hold a special place in our heart, even after the school has long since been demolished. I have also forwarded the link to others who I know would enjoy this trek down memory lane. Great work. Wish we had all taken more photos to preserve what we still give thanks for. Sincerely, R Maher
By: rmscribe777@aol.com on November 8, 2017
at 4:17 pm
You’re most welcome. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed seeing my site. I’ll contact you by email about your photo request.
By: newenglandarchivist on November 8, 2017
at 5:00 pm
I’m confused as to the difference between an SSND and a SND de Namur.
By: kate barker on November 15, 2017
at 12:19 am
Hi Kate,
They are different religious congregations. The School Sisters of Notre Dame were founded by Caroline Gerhardinger in Bavaria in 1833 and they came to the U.S. in 1847. Their ministry is very similar to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in that it focuses on education. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur were founded by St. Julie Billiart and Francoise Blin in Amiens, France in 1804. They moved to Namur, Belgium in 1808 due to conflicts with the local French bishop and are now known as the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Their focus from the beginning has been the education of girls and the poor. It can be confusing as their names are so similar. Thanks for asking.
Nancy
By: newenglandarchivist on November 16, 2017
at 12:16 pm
Second request: Would you please remove my mother from your mailing list as she is no longer at the address below. She is now in a nursing home and not in a capacity to understand or donate. Please save the cost of your mailings and thank you for your understanding.
Her information:
Helen Felice
1403 West 29th St.
Erie, PA. 16508
By: Helen Felice on September 6, 2018
at 12:04 am
Dear Helen, I don’t have a newsletter I send out. I don’t have your mother’s mailing address. I’m the archivist. I’m guessing you should contact the Congregational Mission Office, which you can do by going to http://web.sndden.org/support/supportcmo.html Contact information is there.
By: newenglandarchivist on September 6, 2018
at 11:40 am
Please remove
Mary Lander
8687 E Elkin Rd
Hallsville MO 65255
From all mailings. She has dementia, no longer controls her own finances, and cannot afford to contribute at this time
By: Mary Lou Lander on December 2, 2018
at 9:41 pm
I am the archivist. You would have to contact the Congregation Mission Office to have this done.
By: newenglandarchivist on December 3, 2018
at 12:16 pm
I am looking for a hymn and music for “O Angel Dear I know full well” it is supposed to be in the “Convent Hymns” the Sister’s of Notre Dame. I have been looking for a copy of this hymnal to add to my collection but I have not been able to locate anything online. Is it possible to get a copy of the hymn or even the hymnal?
By: Don Howe on September 21, 2020
at 7:10 pm
Hi Don,
I will reply via my work email.
Nancy
By: newenglandarchivist on September 23, 2020
at 11:24 am
I recently completed a biography of Anthony J. Dimond, an Alaskan politician and statesman. His oldest daughter, Marie Therese, was a member of your order. She became a noted and widely published scientist. Shortly after she passed away I “googled” her and came up with an obituary and a photograph that you had provided of Marie holding a sea turtle (one of her research specialties. I wonder whether it would be possible for me to obtain a copy of that photo to include in the book when it is published? I would be happy to provide a copy of material I have written about her to you if someone would like to see it before giving me permission. Thank you.
By: Mary C. Mangusso on February 25, 2021
at 10:48 pm
Dear Mary,
I’ll reply through my work email.
By: newenglandarchivist on March 1, 2021
at 2:26 pm
Dear Sisters. I have a funeral on Tuesday 6th December. The deceased has requested the hymn Hail St Joseph spouse of Mary guardian of the Saviour child, I cannot find the music sheet for organ anywhere and wondered if you might be able to help. I have found a clip on uTube with the tune but no music. Kind regards Fr. Stephen. frsteve@btinternet.com
By: Fr Steve Davies on December 4, 2022
at 3:05 pm
Dear Fr. Stephen, Unfortunately, I do not have this hymn in the archives. Sorry I can’t be of any help.
Nancy
By: newenglandarchivist on December 5, 2022
at 11:40 am