GUIDE TO CATHOLIC RECORDS ABOUT NATIVE AMERICANS IN THE U.S.
Volume 2: Midwest United States
Wisconsin: WI-18

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Generalate Office
St. Rose Convent
912 Market Street
La Crosse, WI 54601

Phone: 608-782-5610
Email: See website

 

History: The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, who were founded in Milwaukee, 1849, self-identify with the post-nominal initials, “F.S.P.A.” In 1871, they separated from the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi and relocated to La Crosse, Wisconsin. They staffed St. Mary's School (Ojibwa), Odanah, Bad River Reservation, Wisconsin, 1883-1969 (closed).

 

Holdings of Catholic records about Native Americans:

Inclusive dates: 1895-1978, undated 

Volume: 1.5 cubic feet

Description: Included in 1 series.

 

/1 "Parish Files, Odanah, St. Mary's School"

A. Correspondence, 1938, 1941, 1944-1945, 1960, 1964, 1969, 19 letters: major correspondents include Sister Macaria Murphy, F.S.P.A., and the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions

B. Chronicles, 1895-1896, 1906-1969, 1 cubic foot: entries note major events, religious celebrations, visitors, and the weather; entries in older chronicles are more detailed than those in the more recent ones

C. Community history, "Our Missions, 1864-1934," by Sister M. Bonaventure Schoberle, F.S.P.A., 1934: contains a 16-page history of St. Mary's Mission and School, Odanah

D. Scrapbook, 1930s-1970s, undated, .3 cubic foot:

1.Scrapbook by Sister Carolissa Levi, F.S.P.A., 1950s-1970s: contains clippings, correspondence, and information regarding Ojibwa Indian culture

2. Scrapbook of paintings and etchings depicting Ojibwa culture, most by Peter Whitebird, undated

3. Scrapbooks, 1930s-1960s, 3 volumes: contain photographs and clippings

E. Photographs, 1930s-1940s, undated, 15 photos

F. Publications, 1943-1978, .15 cubic foot:

1. The Story of a Little Log Cabin. The History of St. Mary's Indian School, Odanah, Wisconsin, by Sister Macaria Murphy, F.S.P.A., 1943, 11 pages

2. Chippewa Indians of Yesterday and Today, by Sister Carolissa Levi, 1956

3. Chippewa Indians Folklore, by Sister Carolissa Levi, F.S.P.A., 1978

 

Unless otherwise noted, the repository on this page holds (or held) the records described here and they are not held at the Marquette University Archives.

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