Archives of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire
The Diocesan Archives is the official repository for the permanent records of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. The collection contains a wide range of historical and administrative documents from the over 220 years of the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire.
It is the mission of the Diocesan Archives to preserve materials generated by the Diocese in the work it does to support the Episcopal congregations throughout the state. In addition, it is the role of the Registrar to support congregations and help them to meet the requirements established by the Episcopal Church in maintaining their own archives collections. This is done through education and support, providing resources and guidance to help preserve the unique histories of each of our member communities.
The following is a list of online resources gathered by the Registrar to support congregations in their work:
Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs: This Episcopal Church document contains a specific chapter on records management for congregations (Chapter IX).
Records Management for congregations: An Archives Manual for Episcopal Parishes and Missions: This Episcopal Church document provides important information on how to develop a records management system.
Episcopal Diocese of NH Records Retention Guidelines: This document, created by the Registrar, provides an outline of the Records Management for Congregations document above. Use this as a reference while reading through the official document, and refer to it for practical recommendations on how to get started with your congregation’s archives.
Episcopal Diocese of NH Implementation Details: This document, created by the Registrar, provides more details for developing and implementing your congregation’s records management plan.
Interested in learning more about the history of the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire? The following online resources provide detailed information and are a good place to start your research:
A History of the Diocese of New Hampshire: 1802-1952 by Robert Hayes Dunn, is the June 1952 special issue of the New Hampshire Churchman.
History of the Eastern Diocese by Calvin R. Batchelder, was published in 1876 in Claremont, NH, by the Claremont Manufacturing Company, Church Printers. Chapter 3 covers the early churches in NH – Portsmouth, Claremont, Cornish, Holderness and Haverhill.
Inventory of the Church Archives of New Hampshire: Protestant Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, was published in 1942 by the WPA NH Historical Records Survey Service Division in Manchester, NH. This resource contains a wide range of historical information about the diocese as well as individual entries for each congregation including a survey of records in place in 1942.