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Primary sources for historical research: Religion
This guide lists important collections of primary sources on religion held by the Princeton University Library. It covers microform, print and digital collections. Microforms listed in this guide are housed in Firestone Library Microforms Service on C floor. Printed guides to these collections are usually also housed in Microforms Service and have call numbers beginning "FilmB." A few collections held by Princeton Theological Seminary or by the Center for Research Libraries are also listed in this guide. Please consult a librarian for help if you would like to use these collections. For further information, please see Guides to primary sources for historical research: introduction.
Table of Contents
| Vatican Manuscripts on Byzantine-Catholic Relations |
| Microfilm 10553 |
7 reels |
Printed guide: none |
| The Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican Library) collection of Greek manuscripts include letters that were written between the Greek and Latin churches. The communications continued after the “mutual estrangement” or excommunication of 1054. |
| Venetian manuscripts on Byzantine-Catholic relations [microform] |
| Microfilm 10528 |
6 reels |
Printed guide: none |
| The National Library of Venice (Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana) collection consists of 6 manuscripts written in Greek. These are communications between the Latin and Greek churches that occurred during the period of attempted reconciliation between the 2nd Council of Lyons in 1274 and the 1439 Council of Ferrara-Florence. |
| Mediaeval & Renaissance manuscripts at Trinity College, Dublin |
| Available through interlibrary loan from the Center for Research Libraries. See Borrowing Microforms from the Center for Research Libraries for more information. |
| "This microfilm set of manuscripts includes Section I: Roman Inquisition and Section II: Secular studies." 95 reels. |
| Church authority and power in medieval and early modern Britain [microform]: the episcopal registers, 1215-1650 |
| Microfilm 02786 |
64 reels |
Printed guide: shelved at end of microforms guides |
| This collection consists of diocesan registers from the north of England. The reels contain four centuries of documentary evidence of the changing role of the Church in society. The registers include the ecclesiastical, legal, social and financial business transactions that were under the purview of the Archbishop. Individual matters range from the flow of money in the church to building new places of worship, dispensations, appointments and granting licenses. |
| [Manuscripts of the 8th to 15th centuries microform] [Hereford Cathedral Library] |
| 5010.453 |
|
Printed guide: Firestone Microforms Z6621.H54 |
| This collection reproduces a number of medieval manuscripts from the Hereford Cathedral Library. Includes Bibles, commentaries, sermons, and other religious and secular texts. |
| Westminster Cathedral. Archives, Series A [microform] |
| 05789.595 |
49 reels |
Printed guide: none |
| This collection consists of the archived documents of the Archbishop of Westminster, and covers 1501-1792. Included are diaries, account books, registers and manuscripts of work. |
| Bullarum, diplomatum et privilegiorum sanctorum romanorum pontificum taurinensis editio .... |
| 1552.696.24 |
9 reels |
Printed guide: none |
| This collection of papal bulls was originally published in the 19th century, and covers 440-1740. |
| Flugschriften des frühen 16. Jahrhunderts [microform] |
| Microfiche 793 |
1956 fiches |
Printed guide: Firestone Microforms DD176.A2F55 |
| The microfiche collection of about five thousand pamphlets in German or Latin originally published 1501-1530. "They are primarily concerned with the early Reformation movement and its propaganda, with the Peasants' War, the threat presented by the expansion of the Turks and with the various conflicts among the Western European countries." This collection, held in Zug, Switzerland, is written in German and in Latin. |
| Early Printed Bibles |
| Available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| "This edition of Bibles and Bible translations from the sixteenth century is quantitatively as comprehensive as possible. It contains all significant editions of Holy Scripture or of the Old Testament and New Testament in the original language, i.e., editions of the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint, and the Vulgate both in the transmitted versions and in the forms which humanists and reformers revised or published in new editions .... also contains all major translations in the modern languages of Europe." About 3,500 microfiche. |
| Records of the Church of England during the Commonwealth period (1643-61) [microform] |
| Microfilm 05462 |
36 reels |
Printed guide: Firestone Microforms BX5077.R42. |
| The original documents of this collection from the Church of England are primarily administrative records from the Lambeth Palace Library the Archbishops of Canterbury in London, England. Written in both Latin and English. |
| Correspondence [microform]. William King (Archbishop of Dublin) |
| 1473.176.521 |
5 reels |
Printed guide: none |
| King was Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin in the early 18th century, and an important intellectual, religious and political figure. His correspondence covers 1699 to 1729. See http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/15605.
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| Visitation returns from the dioceses of Canterbury and London, 17th-19th centuries [microform] |
| Microfilm 05453 |
44 reels |
Printed guide: Firestone Microforms BX5107.C2V57 |
| This collection consists of records from episcopal visitations from 1716-1815. The visitations were routine inquiries into the state of each parish, and document religious and secular life at the parish level. |
| French Protestant archives [microform] |
| Microfilm 06310 |
38 reels |
Printed guide: shelved at end of microforms guides |
| This collection consists of records of the French Protestant Church in London, and cover 1560-1889. There are church records of meetings, divorces, deaths, marriages, information on the school and a register of members. Also available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| Radical reformation microfiche project. Anabaptist, Mennonite & Spiritualist Reformation |
| Section 1 is available through interlibrary loan from the Center for Research Libraries. See Borrowing Microforms from the Center for Research Libraries for more information. The entire collection is available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| "The first part covers such topics as Anabaptism in the Low Countries and related spiritualistic movements including writings from movement representatives as well as editions of the Bible, hymn books and literature produced by martyrs. The second part concerns sources of the Radical Reformation in the German speaking regions, with the sources of Anabaptism and Spiritualism constituting the core." |
| Lutheran reformation: sources 1500-1650. Section 1. Germany. |
| Available through interlibrary loan from the Center for Research Libraries. See Borrowing Microforms from the Center for Research Libraries for more information. The entire collection is also available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| "A collection of source material documenting the Lutheran Reformation in Germany, during the period 1500-1600." |
| Irenical Theology: Heidelberg 1583-1622 |
| Available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| Collection of works by Heidelberg theologians from the sixteenth and early seventeenth century. 596 microfiche. |
| The Italian Reformation |
| Available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| Selective collection of material on the reformation in Italy. 428 microfiche. |
| Catholic reformation, including French diocesan catechisms, 1615-1900, on microfiche |
| Available in part through interlibrary loan from the Center for Research Libraries. See Borrowing Microforms from the Center for Research Libraries for more information. Also available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| "This set includes fiche of original printed sources, many from the Bibliotheque des Fontaines of the Society of Jesus in Chantilly, France. The Center holds the sections on theology, philosophy, controversies, biographies and foreign missions. It does not hold the French diocesan catechisms." These are available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| Reformed Protestantism: Sources of the 16th and 17th Centuries |
| Available through interlibrary loan from the Center for Research Libraries. See Borrowing Microforms from the Center for Research Libraries for more information. Also available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| "The Reformed Protestantism Sources Project is divided into five major sections which contain a combination of published and unpublished material. Both Latin and vernacular editions have been filmed, and for important theologians several editions of the same work are included." The set is organized geographically. 9,948 microfiches |
| Netherlands Reformed Church Archives |
| Available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| "Minutes, correspondence, books, lists, registers, manuscripts, psalm books, articles, accounts, and documents (dating from approximately 1560 to 1810) relating to the activities of the Netherlands Reformed Church, and, more generally, the history of the Reformation in the Netherlands and abroad. Collection also contains the minutes and deliberations of the Provincial Synods, and correspondence on the relations of the Reformed Church with churches in the Dutch East Indies, Ceylon, Pennsylvania, France, Germany, the Baltic countries, etc." 3,136 microfiche. |
| World War II Era Records of the World Council of Churches. |
| Available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| "Collection of documents from a section of the World Council of Churches Archives, dealing with Germany and fifteen other countries during the period 1932-1957. Documents include: newspapers, press clippings, press releases, telegrams, correspondence, minutes, manuscripts and personal notes. The bulk of the material relates to Germany and covers the issues and events of the war as well as the beginning years of the World Council of Churches." 799 microfiche |
| Die Kirchenkampf : the Gutteridge-Micklam collections |
| Available through interlibrary loan from the Center for Research Libraries. See Borrowing Microforms from the Center for Research Libraries for more information. |
| "This set includes political and theological documents from 1930-1969 from the German Evangelic Church. Books, periodicals, reports, correspondence, memoranda, etc., relate the church's struggle against the Nazis' attempt to establish a state church." 515 fiche. |
| Moravian mission records among the North American Indians [microform] |
| Microfilm 07202 |
40 reels |
Printed guide: Firestone Microforms E99.M9 M672 |
| Material from the Archives of the Moravian Church, whose mission to Native Americans lasted from 1735 to 1900. Consists of letters, diaries, and church registers. Much of the material is in German, but there is also material in English. |
| Millerites and Early Adventists |
| Microfilm 05752 |
60 reels |
Printed guide: Firestone Microforms Z7845.A35M54 |
| This collection consists of books and pamphlets that document the Millerites and early Adventists. It also includes the correspondence of William Miller, a New York farmer, who prophesied that the Second Coming of Christ would occur on October 22, 1844. See http://www.anb.org/articles/08/08-01014.html. The Millerites were the original nucleus of today’s Seventh-Day Adventists and other Adventist churches. Covers c. 1840 to c. 1870. |
| Microfilm edition of the Winthrop papers |
| Microfilm 03154 |
53 reels |
Printed guide: Firestone Microforms F4.xG8. |
| The Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston holds this collection of the American Family Manuscripts. These are private and public papers that come from many sources. The majority of the manuscripts came from the Winthrop family, and include the journal of Governor John Winthrop (1588-1649). See http://www.anb.org/articles/01/01-00996.html. |
| Correspondence relating to the North American colonies, 1701-86 [Society for Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts] |
| 5488.864 |
28 reels |
Printed guide: none |
| The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel was chartered in 1701 to do missionary work on behalf of the Church of England. This collection consists of records dating from 1702-1737, including three series of letters and papers concerning the Society’s missionary work in North American colonies. The originals are held by the Society for Propagation of the Gospel in London. |
| Society for Propagation of the Gospel: Journals, 1701-1850 [microform] |
| 5488.864.2 |
14 reels |
Printed guide: none |
| See above. The journal, 1701-1870, records the proceedings of the Society and includes extracts or copies of letters from missionaries in North America, Virginia, the Bahamas, the Leeward and Windward Islands, Canada, and Trinidad and Tobago. |
| St. Mark’s Protestant Episcopal Church, Charleston [microform] |
| Microfiche 1044 |
38 microfiches |
Printed guide: none |
| The parish records span the time from 1866–1965, and include registers of fiscal matters and tithes, baptisms, confirmation, marriages (including the condition of those entering into marriage: widower, maiden, bachelor, etc) and burials. |
| Utah and the Mormons |
| 5662.924 |
12 reels |
Printed guide: Firestone Microforms Z7845.M8M45 |
| This collection reproduces books and pamphlets from the second half of the 19th century, on Mormons and Utah. It also includes a number of Mormon periodicals. |
| Microfilm edition of the American Missionary Association archives |
| Microfilm 05360 |
261 reels |
Printed guide: Firestone Microforms Z7817.A45 |
| Microfilm edition of the American Missionary Association archives at the Amistad Research Center. See also American Missionary Association archives as a source for the study of American history, Firestone E175.4.A5 J6 1964. The American Missionary Association began as an abolitionist organization and became an advocate for civil rights and education for African-Americans. Covers 1846-1882. See http://gale.cengage.com/pdf/scguides/americanmissionary/americanmissionary.doc. Also available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| The holdings of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Historical Museum in manuscript and print [microform] |
| Microfilm 11660 |
8 reels |
Printed guide: none |
| See http://gale.cengage.com/psm/guides.htm for links to the online guide. |
| Library of American church records |
| Available through interlibrary loan from the Center for Research Libraries. See Borrowing Microforms from the Center for Research Libraries for more information. |
| "This microfilm set includes yearbooks, annual reports, minutes and other reports from the 19th and 20th centuries, for the following denominations: American Baptist Convention, 1914-1969; Assemblies of God, 1914-1965; Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1803-1970; Brethren in Christ Church, 1871-1970; Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ), 1848-1964; Church of Christ, 1906-1963; Congregational Church, 1854-1961; Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1810-1966; General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, 1867-1970." |
| Harlan Paul Douglass Collection of religious research reports |
| Available through interlibrary loan from the Center for Research Libraries. See Borrowing Microforms from the Center for Research Libraries for more information. |
| "The Douglass Collection includes church-related field research reports contributed voluntarily to the National Council of Churches Department of Research by various denominational and ecumenical researchers. This set includes 2,270 documents dealing with social and ecclesiastical conditions of religion in America and including reports, case studies, pamphlets and fugitive papers. Most of the papers date from the period 1950-1970, although there are some earlier materials. The collection is also cited as Social problems and the churches." |
| Early Printed Books on Religion from Colonial Spanish America 1543/44-c1800 |
| Available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| Printed works from colonial Spanish America, including doctrinal and devotional works, confessionals, hymnals and saints' lives. Based on the British Library collection. Most material is from Mexico and Peru. 1,038 microfiche. |
| Collectanea Commissionis Synodales, Peking, 1928-1947 |
| Microfiche 1481 |
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Printed guide: BX1665.C382 |
| This collection reproduces a periodical for Catholic priest and missionaries in China, published by the Synodal Commission of the Catholic Church in Peking. The material is written in Latin, French and English. The originals are held in the Maryknoll Library. |
| Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, 1833-1911 [microform] |
| Microfilm 10566 |
87 reels |
Printed guide: uncataloged (shelved at end of FilmB) |
| This collection comprises correspondence, reports and miscellanea to and from the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. A. Princeton University holds only selected reels from this collection, including the material on Africa, but Princeton Theological Seminary holds the entire collection. See http://gale.cengage.com/psm/guides.htm for an online guide. |
| Regions Beyond Missionary Union: Papers of the RBMU concerning the Congo, India, Nepal and Peru from the Centre for the Study of Christianity in the Non-Western World, New College, University of Edinburgh |
| Princeton Theological Seminary |
| "The Regions Beyond Missionary Union (RBMU) dates back to 1873 and Henry Grattan Guiness's pioneering missionary work in the East End of London. It was committed to working among the poor regions peripheral to and beyond the British Empire and established its own missions in the Congo (1878), Peru (1897), and in Bihar and Orissa, India (1899). Later missions were established in Kalimantan (Borneo) (1948), Nepal (1954), and Irian Jaya (1957)." Covers 1893-1990. See http://www.adam-matthew-publications.co.uk/digital_guides/regions_beyond_
missionary_union_parts_1_to_5/Contents.aspx |
| United Society for Christian Literature archives |
| Available at Princeton Theological Seminary |
| "Minutes, correspondence, annual reports, clippings, books, tracts, newsletters, leaflets, booklets, educational aids, periodicals, and printed matter relating to the activities of the Christian societies operating in Britain, the British colonies, and the continent of Europe (from 1799 to 1960) and which would later form the United Society for Christian Literature." 3,656 fiche |
| Methodist Missionary Society archives, 1791-1948 |
| Available through interlibrary loan from the Center for Research Libraries. See Borrowing Microforms from the Center for Research Libraries for more information. |
| "Minutes, correspondence, reports, finance ledgers, journals, diaries, and papers relating chiefly to the activities of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society (incorporating the Women's Work organization and the Primitive Methodist Missionary Society) in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Caribbean, and North America. The period covered is 1791-1948. Includes extensive material on Thomas Coke (1747-1814), founder of the Methodist missions and Wesley's right-hand man. ." |
| Paris Evangelical Missionary Society Archives 1822-1935 |
| Available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| "Correspondence, minutes, reports, budgets, statistics, articles, documents, and notes relating to the activities of the SMEP (known in English as the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society) in Africa and Oceania during the period 1822-1947." 5,982 microfiche. |
| World Student Christian Federation Archives 1895-1925 |
| Available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| "The WSCF was created in 1895 to encourage and coordinate the work of existing national student Christian movements and to stimulate the formation of unified student movements in countries where they did not yet exist. This collection represents the Correspondence and History sections of the Archive including letters from John R. Mott, William Temple and W.A. Visser 't Hooft." 2,138 microfiche |
| International Missionary Council and the Conference of British Missionary Societies archives: Africa and India, 1910-1945 |
| Available through interlibrary loan from the Center for Research Libraries. See Borrowing Microforms from the Center for Research Libraries for more information. The complete collection is also available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| "The International Missionary Council (IMC) emerged from the world missionary conference held at Edinburgh in 1910 and was officially established in 1921. It linked 14 interdenominational associations of missionary societies with some 16 field bodies " 2,336 fiche. |
| Council for World Mission. Archives, 1775-1940 |
| Available through interlibrary loan from the Center for Research Libraries. See Borrowing Microforms from the Center for Research Libraries for more information. Also available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| "These are the records of the London Missionary Society and the Commonwealth Missionary Society (which later merged to become the Congregational Council for World Mission)." Arranged geographically: covers Southern and Central Africa, China, India, Madagascar and the Pacific. 23,398 fiche |
| FBI file on the American churchwomen killed in El Salvador, December 2, 1980 [microform] |
| Microfilm 06992 |
2 reels |
Printed guide: Firestone Microforms HV6535.E48 F34 |
| The file consists of information on the 1980 murder of four churchwomen in El Salvador and the subsequent investigations and meetings. There are meeting minutes, notes, newspaper clippings, memos and legal documents. |
| History of Religiosity in Latin America c1830-1970 |
| Available at Princeton Theological Seminary. |
| Based on the collection of CIDOC Library of Cuernavaca, Mexico, of material from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that "reflect local devotions and syncretist rituals, religious iconography and poetry, and the pastoral campaigns of the various churches and sects." 46,786 microfiche. |
Thanks to Chenyangu M. Khonje, for her assistance in preparing the descriptions of the collections listed in this guide.
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