Reading, Reporting, and Remembering: A Case Study of the Maryknoll Sisters' Diaries

  • Elizabeth Yakel

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of the record-keeping practices surrounding the diary within the context of one religious community: the Maryknoll Sisters. Diary writing began in 1912 and essentially ended in 1967 after reforms were instituted in response to Vatican II. The article traces: (1) the context and history of diaries; (2) outlines the evolution of the warrant and recordkeeping practices surrounding diaries; (3) discusses the varied purposes to which diaries were put; and (4) examines the reasons for the discontinuation of the diaries within the context of this religious community. The analysis demonstrates how the record-keeping traditions and the Maryknoll Sisters' culture redefined the diary genre to fit their particular needs. By doing this, the diaries were versatile records used both within the context of the community and as a means of engaging broader audiences. In the process, the diaries supported community identity, helped to maintain control over far-flung missioners, and shaped the image of the sisters for external readers.

RÉSUMÉ
Cet article présente une étude de cas des pratiques de gestion des documents entourant un journal dans le contexte d'une communauté religieuse particulière: les Maryknoll Sisters. La rédaction de ce journal a débuté en 1912 et s'est terminée en 1967 après que des réformes furent apportées en réponse à Vatican II. Cet article présente les quatre volets suivants: (1) le contexte et l'historique des journaux (ou annales); (2) l'évolution des pratiques de gestion des documents qui ont entouré ces journaux; (3) les différentes raisons de rédiger des journaux, et (4) pourquoi les communautés religieuses ont cessé de tenir de tels journaux. L'analyse de l'auteure montre comment les traditions de gestion des documents, ainsi que la culture des Maryknoll Sisters, ont redéfini le genre littéraire du journal afin de l'adapter à leurs propres besoins. Par le fait même, les journaux sont devenus des documents utilisés à la fois pour les besoins internes de la communauté et ont servi à impliquer un auditoire beaucoup plus vaste. Les journaux ont ainsi renforcé l'identité de la communauté, aidé à maintenir le contrôle sur les missionnaires éloignées et façonné l'image des sœurs pour les lecteurs externes.

Author Biography

Elizabeth Yakel
Elizabeth Yakel is an assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Information in the Archives and Records Management specialization. Her current research focuses on access and accessibility to primary sources and explores the information seeking patterns of researchers and the design of access systems. She has published in the top archival journals and her articles include: "The Social Construction of Accountability: Radiologists and their Recordkeeping Practices" (The Information Society, 2001) and "Archival Representation" (Archival Science, forthcoming). Dr. Yakel is also active in the Society of American Archivists where she has served on the governing Council and was elected Fellow in 1999.
Archivaria 57 front cover
Published
2004-05-01
How to Cite
Yakel, Elizabeth. 2004. “Reading, Reporting, and Remembering: A Case Study of the Maryknoll Sisters’ Diaries”. Archivaria 57 (May), 89-105. https://archivaria.ca/index.php/archivaria/article/view/12454.
Issue
Archivaria 57 (Spring 2004)
Section
Studies in Documents

Authors of manuscripts accepted for publication retain copyright in their work. They are required to sign the Agreement on Authors' Rights and Responsibilities that permits Archivaria to publish and disseminate the work in print and electronically. In the same agreement, authors are required to confirm that "the material submitted for publication in Archivaria, both in its paper and electronic versions, including reproductions of other works (e.g. photographs, maps, etc.) does not infringe upon any existing copyright." Authors of manuscripts accepted for publication retain copyright in their work and are able to publish their articles in institutional repositories or elsewhere as long as the piece is posted after its original appearance on archivaria.ca. Any reproduction within one year following the date of this agreement requires the permission of the General Editor.