Archives

The Archives of the Diocese of Helena operates in accordance with church law. The collection and management of records, photographs and artifacts ensures that the archive collection reflects the mission of the Catholic Church in Western Montana. Bishop Brondel in the 1890's noted that papers be kept for the diocesan archives.

The Helena Diocesan Archives accumulates the records and artifacts that tell the story of the diocese from its 1884 beginning to the present. A stereographic photo of the Cathedral of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary depicts the brick building in which early Montana Catholics worshipped and were baptized, married and buried. Microfilmed parish sacramental records of 1866 -1886 from Deer Lodge Parish reflect the itinerate travels of a priest to Warm Springs Creek, Silver Bow, Rockertown, Butte City, Cottonwood, Blackfeet City, McClellan Gulch, Beartown, Days Gulch, Cable City and Georgetown.

Parish baptismal and marriage records through 1976 have been microfilmed, and the archivist upon request may access records. Current plans include microfilming parish baptismal, marriage and burial records through 2000.

Diocese of Helena Archive Records

Sacramental Records

Orphanage Records

Genealogical Research

Fees

Sacramental Records

Types of Sacramental Records

Sacramental records are required by canon law to be kept according to a formula which varies with the kind of record. Listed below is information contained in the records of four sacraments (baptism, marriage, first communion, confirmation) and death records which are kept.

Information Contained in Sacramental Records

Information contained in the records are:
Baptisms-date and place of birth and baptism, name of child, names of parents, names of sponsors or godparents, name of officiating priest, and sometimes the parents place of residence;

Marriages-date, names of parties being married, names of official witnesses, name of officiating priest; First Communions-date, names of children only, name of officiating priest;

Confirmations-date, names of children only, name of officiating bishop/priest; and

Deaths-name of deceased, date of death and burial, name of officiating priest.

Policy on Sacramental Records

Sacramental records are of a mixed nature in that they are both private and public. They are private because they are intended to document an individual's status within the Church. They were originally created in circumstances presumed to be confidential. Sacramental records are also public because they will stand in civil law as valid and authentic evidence when an appropriate civil record does not exist. It is important to understand that although these records are public in that they stand in civil law; they are not public in the sense that they are open to immediate examination and inspection by anyone for whatever reason. For example, civil records of birth are public records restricted from use for long periods of time.

It is the same with the sacramental records of the Church. Restrictions on access may therefore be legitimately imposed without violating the essential private and public nature of the records.

Access to Records

Our records are not open to general research, because they are records of a private institution. Further local restrictions may be applicable. Sacramental records may be released upon request by the individual whose name appears on the record, or with written consent of the named individual. Each parish maintains its record books from its beginnings through the present; the Diocesan Archives has microfilmed these records up through 2000 for safety and research reasons.

To request information from your own sacramental records, or the records of someone else with their permission, fill out the Diocese of Helena Archives Sacramental Record Request Form, either online or download the mail-in form. The individual may also contact the parish directly for records.

Index of Parishes and Missions with the Listings of Sacraments the Archives Has on Microfilm.

Orphanage Records

Access to the Orphanage Records (St. Joseph's Home, Helena, MT, 1893-1965) is restricted. Only the person whose name appears on the record can request and receive information from their record with proper identification.

Genealogical Research

Persons requesting records for genealogical purposes must be:

A. The person named in the record (if over age 18)

B. A parent or legal guardian of the person named in the record (if the person is under age 18)

Other parties as designated in writing by the person (A) or (B).

If person (A) is deceased, their children or heirs may have access to the records after supplying the Archives with notarized proof that they are next of kin.

Fees

The Archives asks a DONATION to cover the costs of research and processing of queries.

Make checks payable to the Diocese of Helena.

The research rate in the Helena area is between $15 and $25 per hour.

Please send donations to: Dolores Brinkel, SCL Archivist P.O. Box 1729 Helena, MT 59624-1729

Revised February 24, 2004