This is a chronologically arranged, comprehensive list compiled by Sr. Bertha Broemmel of all PHJC sisters who died, whether in Europe or America, from Jan. 1, 1948 to April 10, 1962. The list for the years 1948 to 1955 is contained in the thin, red ledger. The list is continued in the back of Sr. Bertha's chronicle of building activities at Convent Ancilla Domini (153/02). Each entry in the list gives date of death, the sister's religious name, and the date when notice of the death was received. In the red volume annotation identifies American sisters.
This small three-ring binder has chronologically arranged parallel lists, one of sisters who died in Europe and one of sisters who died in America. Each entry gives the date of death, the religious, baptismal and family names of the deceased, date of birth, and date of profession. The end of both lists refers to "Death Book No. 2" (114/27-28) for the 1985 lists. The first sheets of the binder contain office notes listing the recipients of community lists. The fifth sheet gives statistics of the worldwide membership of the Poor Handmaids in 1967.
These sheets, removed from a three-ring binder prior to their transfer to the Archives, continue the list of deceased sisters of the American province from 114/24 with entries numbered 865 to 925. Each entry gives the deceased sister's religious, baptismal and family names, date of birth, date of death, place of death, date and place of burial, and cause of death. A separate sheet gives a list with similar information for the years 1984 and 1985. In addition to the running total of deceased sisters, it gives running totals of sisters buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery and of sisters still living. It also gives each sister's age at death and her burial plot in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. A note on the archives' transmittal form says that "deceased PHJC of the American Province from 1985 to September 1991 have been entered on computer."
These sheets give yearly lists arranged chronologically of sisters who have died in Europe. The sisters are numbered consecutively from 1 for each year. Each entry gives the sisters religious and family names and date of death. A note on the archives' transmittal form says that "deceased PHJC from abroad have now been entered on computer."
This is a database created in PC-File of all deceased sisters of the American Province. It was maintained at the Notre Dame Archives up to at least 1996. The folder contains two 5 1/4" floppy diskettes, lists of variables, sample print- outs, and instructions for use with PC-File. The database gives the following information for each sister: religious name, maiden name, date of arrival in America (where applicable), date and place of birth, dates of entrance, reception (investiture), profession, renewal of vows and perpetual vows, date and place of death, age at death, place of burial, and, occasionally, notes. Burial plot number is included for sisters buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery at the Motherhouse in Donaldson, IN.
Half-size sheets giving name and birthdate of deceased sisters, time, date and usually place of death, time and place of funeral services, and burial plot numbers.
This register is arranged chronologically by the date of departure from the community. Entries are numbered consecutively from 1 to 334. Each entry gives baptismal and religious name, place of birth, date of entrance, dowry, dates of investiture (reception) and profession, date of departure and reasons for departure. If a sister was a novice, this fact is noted in red ink by the entry number.
When a sister dies or leaves the community her records are gathered from the various offices where they are kept and a dossier is compiled. In the archives these dossiers are arranged alphabetically by family and baptismal names. All dossiers generally include:
(a) Record of Sisters Card. This 5 1/2" X7" card gives the relevant biographical data of the sister. On the recto are listed baptismal and family name, sisters (religious) name, the existence of a baptismal certificate, date and place of birth, dates of entrance, investiture (reception), profession and perpetual vows, apostolate (nurse, teacher or domestic), amount of dowry, date and place of death (or date of departure for women who have left the order), cause of death, and date and place of burial. On the verso are listed parents' names and place of birth, whether they are living or deceased and/or their present address, and the institutions where the sister was assigned along with the dates of assignment. There is a separate column for assignments as a sister superior. Annotations on the card may provide other information, such as the sister's assigned ID number, the place from which she entered the community, other financial facts such as an inheritance, social security number, etc. If the sister celebrated her golden jubilee in the community, this fact is also noted on the card. After c. 1960 all information was written on the front of a single 7" X 11" card which was then folded in half. In recent years the card has been replaced by a computer generated printout of the Provincial Sister File.
(b) Documents required at entrance. These include a copy of the sister's baptismal and confirmation certificates, a recommendation from the parish priest, certification of health from a medical doctor and a dentist. A birth certificate is sometimes included. At some point an application form for entry into the community came into use.
(c) Documents required of the sister at investiture and vows. These include an Agreement on remuneration, a Cessation of Use and Usefruct declaration, and a Last Will and Testament. There are also frequently letters to the Provincial requesting permission to take vows.
(d) Personal papers of the sister, including immigration and naturalization papers, passports, academic records, nursing and other licenses and certificates, personal momentos and artifacts such as saints' relics, photographs, and correspondence. Dossiers of sisters who have died in the community also generally include Medical Records, Death Certificate, Burial - Removal Permit, Memorial Card from Funeral, a copy of the eulogy. Dossiers of Postulants, Novices and Professed Sisters who left the community also generally include:
(e) Documents related to departure. These include letters of request, correspondence between the Provincial and the Bishop of Fort Wayne - South Bend, Indults of Exclaustration and Secularization where applicable, a declaration signed by the sister and witnesses that her departure is voluntary, a document signed by the Provincial and witness affirming the sister's voluntary departure.
(f) Statements of Account. These list the expenses for education, insurance, etc., for which the sister must repay the community.
(g) Sometimes correspondence from the sister after her departure from the community.