History – University Libraries

The Éire of Library Exploration

March is Irish Heritage Month. With this observance in mind and at hand, there are an abundance of resources to share with you.

We are delighted to announce the successful conclusion of our Irish history project at the archives which was generously funded by the New Jersey Historical Commission, Irish Immigrant Solidarity in New Jersey, 1870-Present. This project hired an advanced graduate student in Library Science, Quinn Christie, to process the papers of several Irish fraternal organizations. The cornerstone of the project was processing the papers of the historian of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, John Concannon. This enormous collection of 120 linear feet (120 banker’s boxes of materials) had to be rehoused in archival boxes and folders, organized in a logical way and described so that researchers could find what they were looking for by a simple keyword search. In addition, a collection of 63 fragile registers which recorded the membership records of the Knights of Columbus, had to be preserved, which entailed building custom size boxes for each one from archival materials.

Example of St. Patrick’s Day Historical Resources found in our Special Collections

Our project archivist was so efficient that she completed this work ahead of schedule, allowing time for her and her colleague Sean Cureton to digitize substantial portions of the collections, build digital exhibits, and create a display window just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. In the end, over 1,200 files were digitized, comprising almost 29 GB of data. The digitized materials can be found by exploring the finding aids here:

The Papers of John Concannon and the Ancient Order of the Hibernians

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/500

James MacFarland Collection

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/505

Ancient Order of the Hibernians – New Jersey Collection

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/506

Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters of America – New Jersey Chapter

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/507

James Comerford Papers

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/508

Gloria Schneider Papers

https://archivesspace-library.shu.edu/repositories/2/resources/510

Please visit our digital exhibits:

Irish-American Organizations: The Power of Connection by Quinn Christie

James Comerford: Irish American History and Culture by Sean Cureton

“Irish American Organizations and Political Advocacy Exhibit.” Window Gallery, Walsh Library

And stop by the first floor of Walsh Library to see our window exhibit!

In addition, a vast selection of information resources can be found related to Ireland “Éire” within the Seton Hall University Libraries.

Publications related to the Irish experience cover a wide range of specific topics including culture, history, literature, and religion to name just a few of the interesting themes that await discovery.

You are welcome to access our Library Guide as a starting point for specific Ireland and American Irish-centered content . . .

Ireland & American Irish Studies

We also feature a specialized research site dedicated to Irish Literature created and maintained by Professor Gerry Shea . . .

Irish Literature: Celtic Revival to Present

The Irish have been a popular subject for study on our campus for decades and we have featured specific aspects of our collections within past news stories published over the years. Please feel free to explore more specific highlights found within our archived blog entries . . .

Irish Featured Research Blog Posts – University Libraries

Irish Featured Research Blog Posts – Archives & Special Collections Center

Example of Irish inspired Cover Art representing various volumes found in our Irish-Themed Book Collections

“Happy Reading” or “Sásta Taighde!”

Need more help? Book a research appointment here: Research Appointment Site

Historical NSA Posters

In our efforts to uncover and share various interdisciplinary resources including materials that have both a textual and visual basis for added informational perspective.

A historical example that touches on the topic of Security from a Political Science, International Relations, Business, Scientific, and additional fields of enterprise can be found in a site that showcases 1950s-70s posters created by the National Security Agency (NSA).

Through the generous efforts that fall under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) these images have been made available to the public for research purposes.

The link to this site can be found here = https://governmentattic.org/28docs/NSAsecurityPosters_1950s-60s.pdf

For additional information on this topic and research assistance on any subject, please feel free to contact us via the following site = https://library.shu.edu/library/research-appointments

Best wishes and success to everyone for the Spring Semester!

SHU Libraries Database Spotlight – African American Catholic Resources

November is African American Catholic Month. In recognition of this significant subject area, and promoting research opportunities, there are various information-centered resources hosted by the Seton Hall University Libraries to aid with your exploration.

Included are the following specialized sites . . .

American Theological Library Association (ATLA)

https://web.s.ebscohost.com/ehost/search/basic?vid=0&sid=7d3791ab-4e2e-4ac9-bfb5-42081535f53e%40redis

Catholic News Archive

https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/

Catholic Research Resources Alliance (CRRA) Portal

https://crra.memberclicks.net/catholic-portal

Catholic Studies Databases

https://library.shu.edu/az.php?s=49202

For more information on these and other sites, specific African American Catholic projects, and other research endeavors please feel free to reach out to me at: Alan.Delozier@shu.edu or book an appointment for consultation via the following site – https://library.shu.edu/research-appointments

Happy Exploration!

Irish Family Genealogy and Library Usage Presentation

Prepare yourself for Thanksgiving dinner discussions about your family history by attending a presentation on Irish genealogy, sponsored by Pirates of Irish Persuasion & Extraction (PIPE) at Seton Hall University on Friday, November 11th, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Alan Delozier, D.Litt., Humanities & Outreach Librarian will share an overview of this important topic and some practical tips for genealogical research for the beginner and expert alike.

This event can be attended on-site, or remotely. For more information about this event please consult the following link = https://www.shu.edu/student-services/news/irish-genealogy-presentation.cfm

Link to the Teams Site for Friday, November 11^th at 2:00 p.m. = https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3aFjfN3IY_2yXHemwm51FJaRWCKy0vHIoUjsca2tQRRoI1%40thread.tacv2/1667312827044?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2251f07c22-53b7-44df-b97c-a13261d71075%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22a3b6f039-3d82-44c8-8dff-4a9e968d4d39%22%7d

For more information on resources related to the Irish and Genealogy please consult the following Library Guides sponsored by the Seton Hall University Libraries. This includes links to various helpful research sites . . .

Ireland & American Irish Resources = https://library.shu.edu/Irish-studies

Genealogy & Family History = https://library.shu.edu/genealogy

Primary Sources = https://library.shu.edu/primarysources

Féile an Altaithe!

Constitutional Anniversaries – New Jersey & United States Statutory Documents, 1787-Present

Alan Delozier, Humanities Librarian

This September marks the diamond anniversary of the New Jersey Constitution Committee (1947) and 235 years since the creation of the United States Constitution. The story behind each text carries a deep historical legacy combined with outlining the goals associated with the ideal functions of national and state governments alike. In research terms, each charter has provided extensive scholarship opportunities for the public that the Seton Hall University Libraries has supported over the past several years.

The United States Constitution is the recognized law of the nation which outlines how the government is required to function. It makes provisions for three distinctive divisions of authority – Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. Since 1787, the Constitution proper has been amended 27 times (with the first ten constituting the United States Bill of Rights created on September 25, 1789 and ratified in 1791) through its history and is devoted mainly to individual liberties.

Combined with the abovementioned overview, Articles III-VII principally cover State-focused governance issues. New Jersey was the third state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1789 and in large measure this helped to inspire the content found within the New Jersey Constitution and its two post-Revolution versions. This document is based on the previous State Constitution of 1776 and the first major revised manuscript in 1844 which highlighted such freedoms as religious practice, speech, and related liberties. After a century, the need for an updated State Statute was facilitated through the creation of Governor Alfred E. Driscoll’s Committee on Preparatory Research in early 1947. (“Convention Proceedings Record,” State of New Jersey Constitutional Convention of 1947, v.1, iii-1)

A Mid-Twentieth Century Volume that was commonly found in schools throughout New Jersey including this 1948 copy included within the Seton Hall University Libraries (Call Number: JK11 1948 O94)

Between June 12^th and September 10^th of 1947 (a deadline of September 13^th for close of the Committee Hearings was set ahead of time and met), the Delegates produced a final draft of the newly updated State Constitution. This document was ultimately ratified via a majority vote on the referendum presented to the citizens of New Jersey during the Election of 1947 held on November 4^th of that year. (“Convention Proceedings Record,” State of New Jersey Constitutional Convention of 1947, v.1, 923)

During the 1940s-60s, Students in New Jersey Were Presented With a Copy of the volume – “Our Great State Documents” as part of their study on Citizenship

There are numerous study prospects for both the United States and New Jersey Constitutions and user friendly access points available through the Seton Hall University Libraries including the following leads and links highlighted below . . .

United States Constitution – SetonCat Holdings (Print and E-Book) .https://setonhall.on.worldcat.org/search?queryString=%22United%20States%20Constitution%22&clusterResults=true&groupVariantRecords=false

United States Constitution – SetonCat Holdings (Articles)

https://eds.s.ebscohost.com/eds/results?vid=0&sid=fa910d90-4058-4ec2-956a-d04961218093%40redis&bquery=%2522United%2BStates%2BConstitution%2522&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPXNzbyZ0eXBlPTAmc2VhcmNoTW9kZT1BbmQmc2l0ZT1lZHMtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d

United States Constitution – Hathi Trust

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=%22united+states+constitution%22&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

United States Constitution – National Archives Site

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript

New Jersey Constitution – SetonCat Holdings (Print and E-Book)

https://setonhall.on.worldcat.org/search?clusterResults=off&queryString=New+Jersey+Constitution

New Jersey Constitution of 1947 – SetonCat Post-Committee and Ratification Produced Holdings (Articles)

https://eds.s.ebscohost.com/eds/results?vid=0&sid=66f892a3-3084-451d-bef5-39fc389ea6da%40redis&bquery=%2522new%2Bjersey%2Bconstitution%2522%2Band%2B%25221947%2522&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPXNzbyZ0eXBlPTAmc2VhcmNoTW9kZT1BbmQmc2l0ZT1lZHMtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d

New Jersey Constitution of 1947, A Retrospective – Seton Hall Legislative Journal, 7:3, 1997

https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/shclj7&id=829&collection=journals&index=

New Jersey Constitution of 1947 – Hathi Trust

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=%22new+jersey+constitution%22+and+1947&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

New Jersey Constitution of 1947 – Full-Text Site

https://www.nj.gov/state/archives/docconst47.html

For more information on the history of constitutions please feel free to contact Alan Delozier, Humanities Librarian at Alan.Delozier@shu.edu or by phone at: (973) 275-2378

Podcast on American Catholicism Drops

We are happy to announce the latest installment of the University Libraries podcast series entitled: Zet Forward. This podcast entitled: “American Catholicism” features an interview by University Archivist, Alan Delozier, D.Litt. with Dr. Margaret McGuinness and Dr. Tom Rzeznik who collaborated on the edited work: The Cambridge Companion of American Catholicism (Cambridge University, 2021). Margaret M. McGuinness, Ph.D. is Professor of Religion at La Salle University. Thomas F. Rzeznik, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of History at Seton Hall University and coeditor of the quarterly journal, American Catholic Studies. He is author of Church and Estate: Religion and Wealth in Industrial-Era Philadelphia (2013). This podcast covered a number of topics within the American Catholic experience in both a historical and contemporary context.

You can find this podcast at Podcast @ Seton Hall University. Please check it out along with our other sessions conducted by Professor Chelsea Barrett and Professor Gerry Shea.

Zet Forward is a podcast to celebrate authors and other individuals who are involved with projects for the benefit of Seton Hall University and the wider world. The series began in February of 2022.