- MCIS 21.029-068 : 80. 1890
- MCIS 21.068-112 : 81. 1891
- MCIS 21.112-133 : 82. 1892
- MCIS 21.133-157 : 83. 1893
- MCIS 21.157-end : 84. Miscellaneous, 1870-1890
- MCIS 1-2 Series : Undated Correspondence
Chiefly letters received by Sorin, with some copies of letters sent by him to bishops.
- MCIS 1.001-022 : (1) Undated Letters from Bishops
Letters from Bishops discussing a wide variety of topics including planned visits, ordinations, and questions of proper religious conduct. Included, in French, are several letters from French Bishops.
- MCIS 1.022-034 : (2) Undated Letters to Bishops about Holy Cross
Letters to Bishops on the subject of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Many of the letters come from members of the order complaining about people and rules within the order, including letters asking permission to leave the order.
- MCIS 1.034-057 : (3) Undated Letters from CSC Brothers
Letters from CSC brothers stationed in various areas, generally concerning educational institutions established in Texas and elsewhere. Issues raised include concern about the general rules of the Congregation of Holy Cross and the CSC approach to education. Progress reports of various institutions are included, as well as a dismal report on problems at Saint Mary's College in Texas.
- MCIS 1.057-069 : (4) Undated Letters from CSC Priests
Letters from Holy Cross priests, most of whom were apparently living in the Notre Dame House. Includes several letters of resignation. Other topics include complaints about living conditions and health problems.
- MCIS 1.069-076 : (5) Undated Letters from Diocesan Priests
Miscellaneous letters from Diocesan priests planning visits to Notre Dame or seeking the aid of the Congregation of Holy Cross for some purpose.
- MCIS 1.076-078 : (6) Letters from Rev. Edmund Kilroy 1854-1855?
Letters from Father Edmund Kilroy (1831-1904), Notre Dame class of 1853 and later parish priest in Stratford, Ontario. Letters to Sorin appear to date from 1854-1855 and discuss Kilroy's "laborious" work as a missionary in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. Topics include the hardships of missionary life and problems in the German Church in Buffalo, NY.
- MCIS 1.078-180,2.001-044 : (7) Undated Letters from CSC Sisters
Letters from Sisters of the Holy Cross to Father Sorin covering a wide variety of topics. Includes letters of greetings and thanks to Sorin and letters of complaint from sisters not enjoying their place of work or having personal grievances against their fellow sisters. Financial matters are also discussed, mainly in the form of Sisters' requesting permission for expenditures. Letters from Mother Charles consider discipline problems, and an interesting travel report from the west is included (at 136).
- MCIS 2.044-129 : (8) Undated Letters from Lay People
Letters from lay persons dealing with a wide variety of topics, including letters of general greeting and petitions for prayer, letters from those contracted by Notre Dame to provide services, letters from employees, job requests, letters concerning entrance into the Manual Labor School, and letters from parents of students. Of particular interest is a letter from Catholic novelist Anna Hanson Dorsey (1815-1896) concerning a story by Miss Hanson published without her permission.
- MCIS 5-21 Series : Letters Received 1842-1893
Letters received by Father Sorin from Bishops, lay persons, religious, CSC members, and institutions. The letters are grouped into folders, each folder containing a partial listing of correspondents. The letters generally deal with Sorin's capacity as CSC Provincial and include reports from various CSC houses and missionaries; responses to Sorin circulars; petitions for favors; etc. Letters from priests outside the order and from Bishops often offer advice or request favors. Letters of a more personal nature are present in the form of holiday greetings sent to Sorin and messages of confession or thanks. The annotation that follows gives a very incomplete picture of the topics covered for any one year, but taken together, the descriptions suggest the range of topics dealt with in these letters.
- MCIS 5.039-054 : (32) 1842
Includes letters from area missionaries and Bishop Celestine Hailandiere of Vincennes. Almost all the letters are in French.
- MCIS 5.056-087 : (33) 1843
Includes letters from area missionaries, CSC members, and Bishop Celestine Hailandiere of Vincennes. The issue of buying land, perhaps for investment purposes, is discussed. Almost all the letters are in French.
- MCIS 5.088-142 : (34) 1844
Includes letters taking up such issues as the operation of CSC schools, petitions from other institutions for the aid of CSC brothers and sisters, and property purchases. Correspondents include Louis Cavalli and Bishops Loras of Dubuque and Lefevere of Detroit.
- MCIS 5.142-211 : (35) 1845
Includes letters dealing with the recruitment of students and novices, homes for orphans, and inquiries from those wishing to join the order.
- MCIS 5.211-223,6.001-035 : (36) 1846
Includes letters dealing with the recruitment of students and novices, homes for orphans, and inquiries from those wishing to join the order.
- MCIS 6.035-118 : (37) 1847
Includes letters dealing with enrollment and sales of property. Correspondents include several Bishops and Father Badin.
- MCIS 6.118-206 : (38) 1848
Topics dealt with include enrollment, vocations, concerns of parents of students, and inquiries about professorships.
- MCIS 6.206-223,7.001-078 : (39) 1849
Includes letters regarding conflicts between Brother Gatin and Sorin over the operations of an orphan house in Brooklyn and the operations of St. Mary's school in Kentucky as well as other CSC institutions.
- MCIS 7.078-155 : (40) 1850
Correspondents include several Bishops (including Archbishop Dulhumay of Dublin), Holy Cross order members, and M. L'Etourneau of Detroit on the subject of Church Bells.
- MCIS 7.155-220,8.001-011 : (41) 1851
Includes letters dealing with land sales, letters from parents of students, and letters from Bishop Celestine Hailandiere from France.
- MCIS 8.011-038 : (42) 1852
Correspondents include several Bishops and a Cardinal as well as CSC members at various CSC Houses.
- MCIS 8.038-077 : (43) 1853
Correspondents include Bishop De Saint-Palais of Vincennes and CSC members at various institutions.
- MCIS 8.077-149 : (44) 1854
Includes letters dealing with commissioned engravings, an epidemic of illness at Notre Dame, and purchases of books.
- MCIS 8.149-221,9.001-074 : (45) 1855
Includes letters providing accounts of Holy Cross mission work in the Diocese of Vincennes and Cincinnati, letters regarding discipline problems at a CSC school in Louisville, professors seeking positions, and letters from Norman Eddy, US Representative from South Bend.
- MCIS 9.074-109 : (46) 1856
Correspondents include Schuyler Colfax, Bishop Timon of Buffalo, and Bishop O'Regan of Chicago. Also includes the contract for St. Mary's University of Chicago.
- MCIS 9.109-146 : (47) 1857
Correspondents include Schuyler Colfax and Bishop Timon of Buffalo requesting that Sorin withdraw CSC members from Buffalo. Other topics include the teaching of trades to orphans.
- MCIS 9.146-219,10.001-013 : (48) 1858
Topics dealt with include the Notre Dame Press, book purchases, and anti-Catholicism (at 213). Correspondents include the BOSTON PILOT and a Doctor treating the Notre Dame community.
- MCIS 10.013-107 : (49) 1859
Topics dealt with include internal complaints between CSC members, controversy over importing of books, and requests from Bishops that bills be paid.
- MCIS 10.107-174 : (50) 1860
Topics dealt with include discipline problems with CSC members; correspondents include New York publishers and other laymen such as Schuyler Colfax and P.B. Ewing.
- MCIS 10.174-207 : (51) 1861
Includes letters from the Rev. Paul Gillen who was serving as a Chaplain in the Irish Brigades and from the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in Paris.
- MCIS 10.207-222,11.001-004 : (52) 1862
Includes letters from the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in Paris and the "Articles for the Incorporation of Saint Mary's Academy."
- MCIS 11.004-034 : (53) 1863
Includes letters and Dr. Lawrence's "Poetical Address" to the Irish Brigade (at 026) and the "Order of Memorial Ceremonies" at Gettysburg held on July 2, 1888 (at 030).
- MCIS 11.034-057 : (54) 1864
Includes letters from CSC members involved in the war effort and from General W.T. Sherman and his wife Ellen.
- MCIS 11.057-083 : (55) 1865
Includes letters from Bishop M.J. Spalding of Baltimore, Patrick Dillon CSC, and Ellen Sherman. Also includes the 1865 Notre Dame budget.
- MCIS 11.083-110 : (56) 1866
Includes letters from Bishop Henni II of Milwaukee and Bishop Purcell of of Cincinnati and a letter from Charleston Bishop Lynch offering Sorin and the CSC order control of an island off of South Carolina on which former Slaves could live as Catholics.
- MCIS 11.111-142 : (57) 1867
Includes a letter from T.E. Howard on the educational quality of Notre Dame, letters relating to the Ava Maria Press, and several letters from the New York city Custom House concerning the importation of bells.
- MCIS 11.142-173 : (58) 1868
Includes letters concerning cooperative efforts between CSC male and female orders and the St. Mary's Orphan Boy Asylum in New Orleans.
- MCIS 11.174-221,12.001-033 : (59) 1869
Includes letters from Sorin in France concerning developments at Notre Dame and his purchases for the college; an offer of a building in Galvaston TX for the founding of a college; and a note from Bishop Hughes of New York warning of a certain clergyman of questionable reputation.
- MCIS 12.033-094 : (60) 1870
Includes a letter to Sorin about a plague of illness at Notre Dame caused by poor drainage (at 043); correspondence with a John Cahalan concerning the importation of 35 gallons of alcohol; and a contract with a railroad for a land purchase.
- MCIS 12.094-135 : (61) 1871
Includes letters to Sorin while he visited Europe in the early part of the year and toured Texas and Louisiana later. Topics include a bond for land in Chicago and requests for financial support from St. Boniface of Galveston and a Fort Wayne Orphanage.
- MCIS 12.135-223,13.001-013 : (62) 1872
Includes letters relating to the operation of St. Joseph's farm, CSC confessors, 160 acres of land donated by Mrs. Amanda Corby to the Church, Brother Adolphus' establishing a Holy Cross House and School in St. Joseph, Missouri, and a the potato famine in Ireland.
- MCIS 13.013-126 : (63) 1873
Includes letters regarding travel plans to Rome; financial and health problems at St. Mary's of Galvaston; and Notre Dame's financial dealing with the Jay Cooke and company Bankers.
- MCIS 13.126-end,14.001-027 : (64) 1874
Includes reports on CSC work in Fort Wayne and St. Joseph, Missouri, as well as documents from Rome and condolences to Sorin upon the death of his nephew Fr. Auguste Lemonnier, CSC.
- MCIS 14.027-125 : (65) 1875
Includes letters from and about the painter Luigi Gregori; Saint Mary's Academy in Salt Lake City; and the Ava Maria Press budget for 1875.
- MCIS 14.125-182 : (66) 1876
Includes letters from a CSC sister at St. Catherine's of Sienna, from CSC brothers at St. Joseph's of Cincinnati complaining of problems at their institution, and from Bishop Dwenger regarding the lending of CSC priests.
- MCIS 14.182-end,15.001-038 : (67) 1877
Includes letters from Ellen Sherman, Luigi Gregori, Fr. L'Etourneau (reporting on his visits to various CSC houses), Archbishop Purcell of Cincinnati, and the Abbot of Abbey of Gethsemani (warning of Trappist impersonators seeking money).
- MCIS 15.038-097 : (68) 1878,
Includes letters from the South Bend National Bank, Bishop Dufal of Galveston, Brother Edward updating Sorin on the progress of the order and College, and notices of scandals at the Alton, Illinois CSC house.
- MCIS 15.097-212 : (69) 1879
Includes letters from Sorin on relations between two CSC houses and Moreau accusations (at 097); letters from John Boyle O'Reilly of the Boston Post; and letters expressing sympathy and concern following the fire that destroyed Notre Dame's Main Building on April 12, 1879.
- MCIS 15.212-end,16.001-105 : (70) 1880
Includes letters to and from Sorin in Europe; a petition to Sorin from St. Boniface to retain their pastor (Rev. G. Demers); complaints of poor ventilation and heat in the CSC convent; a Rev Toohey letter from Lead City, Dakota Territories, describing a plague; and charges of disrespect of authority against Fathers Patrick J. Colovin CSC, former President of Notre Dame, and Rev. Thomas Carroll, both of Sacred Heart College in Watertown, Wisconsin.
- MCIS 16.105-end,17.000-019 : (71) 1881
Includes letters mentioning conflicts between sisters at St. Mary's of Austin (at 139); plans for the fortieth anniversary of the University; a contract dispute with painter Luigi Gregori over his painting of Columbus in the main building; and letters from the Studebakers, architect Greg Vigeant, and the Rev. Alexander M. Kirsh CSC from Louvain, Belgium.
- MCIS 170.019-191 : (72) 1882
Includes Bishop Dwenger's regulations for Lent, a note from a Vatican Cardinal offering a 5% commission for persons willing to arrange sales of some 390 paintings, and mention of the California mission to Indians.
- MCIS 17.191-end,18.000-120 : (73) 1883
Includes a note of thanks from newly ordained Fr. Andrew Morrissey CSC, updates on building at Notre Dame sent to Sorin in Europe, correspondence regarding the sale of Holy water from Lourdes, and notes of sympathy to Sorin who suffered a serious fall when his buggy capsized in the fall and was then confined him to his room for three months.
- MCIS 18.120-end,19.000-044 : (74) 1884
Includes letters to Sorin during his spring tour of CSC houses of the South and Western states and Canada; an invitation from the Archbishop of Toronto; and a letter advocating Florida real estate for its investment and retirement value.
- MCIS 19.044-175 : (75) 1885
Includes letters to Sorin on an early spring trip to Europe; complaints from a New Orleans congregation about the alleged favoring of Negroes by their parish priest (William Demers CSC); Fr. Richard Maher CSC's account to Sorin of a trip to the Black Hills to investigate the debts incurred by Fr. Peter Rosen; and accounts of labor strife at the Oliver Plows factory in South Bend.
- MCIS 19.175-end,20.000-075 : (76) 1886
Includes letters offering donations for the construction of the Dome; complaints from CSC novices about the "scandalous" and violent behavior of novice Bernard Dever; arrangements to establish a "colored orphan asylum" in Washington, DC; and letters in French from missionary Pierre Marie Osouf from Tokyo representing the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Japan.
- MCIS 20.075-135 : (77) 1887
Includes letters offering condolences on the death of Mother Angela; Luigi Gregori's prices for the painting to be done in the new Church; and a note on CSC recruiting practices (at 118).
- MCIS 20.135-186 : (78) 1888
Includes congratulations extended to Sorin on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee; further letters from Fr. Osouf in Japan; a letter from the French government conferring on Sorin the title of Officer of Public Instruction in honor of Sorin's academic accomplishments; and a running correspondence with US Customs officials regarding the importation of the Bernini Altar.
- MCIS 20.186-end,21.000-029 : (79) 1889
Includes letters to Sorin in Paris; threats of legal action against the University relating to the cases of a Mr. Riordan; and similar problems with Catholic author Anna Hanson Dorsey.
- MCIS 21.029-068 : (80) 1890
Includes a request for a dispensation from Fr. James Gleeson CSC, notification of the death of Mr. Alexis Coquillard, and letters of sympathy to Sorin during an illness.
- MCIS 21.068-112 : (81) 1891
Includes a letter offering an early alumni donation, an issue of THE INDO-BURMAN NEWS, a letter from the editor of THE HEBREW STANDARD complaining of persecution of Jews in Russia, and correspondence dealing with the Bishop of Denver's complaints that Notre Dame was draining students from Colorado colleges.
- MCIS 21.112-133 : (82) 1892
Includes the arrangements to obtain the Irish Brigade Flags for Notre Dame, a history in French of the CSC Sisters at Notre Dame, Sorin's petition to create a new Province of Sisters, and Sorin's 1878 will.
- MCIS 21.133-157 : (83) 1893
Includes congratulations to Sorin on his eightieth birthday, the appointment of Father Corby as Postmaster General to replace Sorin, and the death notice of Fr. Alexis Granger CSC.
- MCIS Series : Subject Files 1852-1890
Correspondence, legal documents, registers, financial records, Sorin addresses to the CSC order, community statistics, lists, and similar documents. Topics dealt with include Indian students at Notre Dame in the 1840's, the acquisition of real estate as an investment, and the construction of Sacred Heart Church.
- MCIS 2.129-155 : (9) PRINTED ITEMS 1852-1890
Printed material concerning Catholic religious activities (such as sermons, instructions for religious ceremonies, and listings of indulgences); a brief historical outline of the Holy Cross order; clippings concerning Notre Dame activities; and a register of the Commandery of the State of Indiana.
- MCIS 2.155-20 : (10) MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, MESSAGES, LETTERS, ETC.
Notes, messages, memos and other miscellaneous material. Of special interest are several historical outlines of Notre Dame's early history to the 1870's and the Catholic history in Indiana. A questionnaire from the Holy See is included as well as notes for responses from Notre Dame. Other items include several letters from the Minims and a large number of letters from individuals contemplating a vocation.
- MCIS 2.201-223 : (11) SACRED HEART CHURCH: BELLS undated
Letters and printed material concerning the replacement of the Sacred Heart Church bell circa 1867. Correspondence with the French bell maker Ernest Bolle is included as well as instructions on the use of the bell and checks paying for it.
- MCIS 3.000-027 : (12) SACRED HEART CHURCH undated
Letters and printed material concerning the design and construction of the bells, tabernacle, paintings, sculptures and organ for Sacred Heart Church. Includes a seven page printed history of Sacred Heart Church by John C. Cavanaugh CSC entitled "History of A Little Church".
- MCIS 3.027-092 : (13) SACRED HEART CHURCH: STAINED GLASS WINDOWS 1878-1887
Letters and printed material dealing with the stained glass windows for Sacred Heart Church. Chief among the correspondents is E. Hucher, a French glass manufacturer. Correspondence also deals with efforts to import a bell and other religious objects free of import duties. Also includes Hucher catalogs and a listings of paintings for the church.
- MCIS 3.092-110 : (14) SACRED HEART CHURCH: DONATIONS undated
Lists of contributors for the Church windows, statues, tabernacle; and letters from donors. Donors are listed by name with amount donated noted. Also includes an expense account from Sisters Valeria and Brijitta for their trip to Ireland to seek donations for the tabernacle.
- MCIS 3.110-123 : (15) DOME ON THE MAIN BUILDING 1879-1884
Letters and printed material concerning the errection of a dome and statue of the Virgin Mary on the Main Building. Correspondents include contributors to the dome fund and persons involved in the project, especially Harry Diffle of the Ornamental Iron Works in Chicago. A list of donors and the amounts they gave is also included.
- MCIS 3.123-151 : (16) SORIN - FATHER HAYES: LEGAL CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS 1879-1883
Legal documents and correspondence concerning an 1879 contract between Father Sorin and Fr. Thomas A. Hayes CSC for Sorin to purchase a building in San Francisco and land in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Correspondents include Hayes and David J. Miller, clerk at the US Surveyor General's Office in Santa Fe. A copy of the contract is included along with notes by Philip S. Moore CSC, who was apparently researching the case in the 1960s. Although the contract was signed by Sorin, the transaction was never passed by the Local Council and therefore never consumated.
- MCIS 3.152-167 : (17) DEVOTO FAMILY LEGACY 1875(?)
Legal documents and correspondence concerning the legacy of the Devoto family and two or more orphaned Devoto children. Several papers offer the children's power of Attorney to Charles Ewing; correspondence is included from Sisters caring for the children and the aunt and uncles of the children. Much of the file is in Italian.
- MCIS 3.167 - 4.075 : (18-20) DESEILLE PROPERTY IN SOUTH CHICAGO 1870-1881
- MCIS 3.167-22 : (18) Deseille Property in South Chicago 1881-1887
Correspondence deals with Sorin's attempts to secure deeds to the land from the heirs to the property, the DeSeille family in Belgium. Sorin's efforts finally proved unsuccessful.
- MCIS 4.000-044 : (19) Deseille Property in South Chicago 1870-1881
Correspondence and legal documents concerning Father Sorin's efforts to obtain 400 acres in South Chicago worth some $100,000 and formerly owned by Father Louis C. DeSeille (?-1839), a missionary to the Indians of Northern Indiana who was buried at Notre Dame. Legal documents include a contract between Sorin and Melanie DeSeille and correspondence with a P.M. Flannigan of Chicago concerning the original Indian rights to the land.
- MCIS 4.044-075 : (20) Deseille Property in South Chicago 1870-1881
Includes letters in French from Fr. Sorin dealing with the case, and notes probably made in the 1960's by Fr. Philip S. Moore CSC concerning a portion of the case in which the land was determined to belong to Fr. DeSeille rather than to an Indian known as Ashkum, chief of the Potawatomies.
- MCIS 4.075-083 : (21) LOAN FROM DIOCESE OF DIJON 1874-1879
Correspondence, entirely in French, regarding a loan of 14,000 francs from Abbe Menetrier. Includes Menetrier's will.
- MCIS 4.083-092 : (22) LEGAL PAPERS
Miscellaneous legal documents, including abstracts of titles, the Act of Incorporation of Holy Cross College in 1884, and the last will and testament of a Mr. James Butler.
- MCIS 4.092-135 : (23) SAINT BRIGID'S IN ROME 1874-1964
Correspondence and financial records dealing with Holy Cross property in Rome, including records of the purchase of the land in 1874 and the sale of the land in 1892. A pamphlet, published in 1964, outlining the Holy Cross presence in Rome, is included.
- MCIS 4.135-145 : (24) KNIGHTS OF THE ALTAR AND ANGEL GUARDIAN SOCIETY
Rules, constitution, and membership rolls of the Knights of the Altar and Guardian Angel Society established at Notre Dame in 1875 to, among other things, supply pure olive oil to churches.
- MCIS 4.145-146 : (25) INDIAN AFFAIRS circa 1845
Correspondence concerning Indian students at Notre Dame, primarily dealing with tuition payments. Correspondents include H. Hartly Crawford of the Indian Affairs Office in Washington.
- MCIS 4.146-150 : (26) REPRINTS FROM BISHOP'S MEMORIAL HALL
Published copies of various letters and documents from Bishop's Memorial Hall, including Fr. Sorin's account of his 1865 ocean voyage.
- MCIS 4.150-192 : (27) FINANCIAL RECORDS 1856-1886
Miscellaneous records relating to finances, including financial statements (dated and undated), cash statements from Holy Cross Houses in Cincinnati and St. Edwards in Texas, records of house inventories and expenses, estimates for draining marsh lands around the University, receipts, statements of accounts, and travel expenses.
- MCIS 4.208-221 : (28) CSC AND NOTRE DAME STATISTICS 1873-1881
Lists of members of the Congregation of Holy Cross internationally; Notre Dame Professors; and novices, apprentices, and enrollees in the School of Manual Labor, 1880-1881. Also includes financial statements from the heads of houses.
- MCIS 4.208-221 : (29) FORMAL ADDRESSES TO SORIN FROM CSC RELIGIOUS AND OTHERS 1873-1876
Formal notices of greeting and congratulations, including a large number of New Years greetings from members of the CSC order and others. Addresses appear in English, Greek, Latin and French.
- MCIS 5.001-016 : (30) FORMAL ADDRESSES TO SORIN FROM CSC SISTERS 1875-1878
Formal Addresses from CSC Sisters offering greetings, congratulations, and expressions of gratitude to Sorin. Some of the addresses appear as poetry.
- MCIS 5.016-029 : (31) FORMAL ADDRESSES TO SORIN FROM STUDENTS AND STUDENT GROUPS 1863-1886
Formal addresses from students, including the minims, offering greeting, salutations on holidays, announcements of theater performances, and mentioning the 1873 Chicago fire.
- MCIS 21.157-end : (84) MISCELLANEOUS 1870-1890
Miscellaneous correspondence, sermons, and a register. Includes a seventeen page diary called a portfolio, 1886-1888, featuring mentions of retreats and correspondence sent and received. Also includes sermons and "spiritual letters" written by Sorin which take up such topics as "Catholicity," "the curse of God," and "Mortification." Correspondence includes letters collected by the Catholic Archives of America and sent by Sorin to the CSC sisters and community.