Since 1992, the Archdiocesan Archives has been collecting records and unique materials that document the management, organization, and history of the Archdiocese since it was formed out of the Diocese of Savannah in 1956. A new initiative began in 2008 to reorganize the Archives, offer better access to its resources, and expand its responsibilities. The Office of Archives and Records, as it is now
called, encompasses not only the supervision of permanent archival records, but also the management of the active and semi-active records of the Archdiocesan offices and agencies. Policies and procedures, including a Records Retention Schedule, have been developed to assist employees in managing records throughout the Archdiocese, including parishes and schools. The collection of historical materials, dating from 1822, consists of the Archbishops’ papers, school records, sacramental registers, parish and mission records, photographs, departmental records, publications, subject files, and audiovisual materials. While primarily serving the administrative needs of the Chancery and assisting parishes with research, preservation and records management issues, the Archives is also open to the public for scholarly research by appointment.
