Archives | The Society of the Sacred Heart

About our archive

Our archives hold records relating to the work, schools, and communities of the Society, primarily in England and Wales, also from earlier periods of the Society in other Provinces, including Ireland, Scotland, Malta, Uganda, Kenya, the US and Australia.

The collections include:

papers relating to the administration of the England/Wales Province by the Provincial team as well as personal papers and correspondence of deceased members of the Province, including Superiors Provincial and General.
records of Society communities, of Province works, and material relating to the overseas work of the Province.
records of students, staff, and governance of current and historic Society primary and secondary schools in Roehampton, Hammersmith, Tunbridge Wells, Brighton, and Fenham (Newcastle), and tertiary teacher training colleges at Roehampton and Fenham.
a collection of books and journals including biographies of several sisters, as well as those works defined as being important for the post-Reformation history of Catholicism in Britain and/or the history and spirituality of the Society.

The archives are part of the Network of Archives & Libraries of the Catholic Church (NALCC) and as the material is catalogued it will be made available online through the Catholic Heritage project.

Explore our archive

The archives are private and access to them is at the discretion of the archivist. The opening hours are Thursdays and Fridays, 10.30-16.30 by prior appointment only. Researchers are asked to apply in writing to visit the archives, providing details of their research topic.

Staff are unable to undertake detailed research on behalf of enquirers other than in exceptional circumstances, in which case a fee will apply. Limited research enquiries can be carried out free of charge.

Introducing our Archivist - Barbara

Hello! My name is Barbara Vesey and in April 2012 I started work as an Archivist for the England-Wales Province at Barat House in Roehampton. I was thrilled to have been offered the post and my work is a constant source of joy and education to me. I treasure the opportunity to look after the provincial archives and try to ensure they will be preserved for future generations.

Originally from New York, I moved to the UK in 1988. My background is in publishing, having worked as an editor and proofreader after I completed my BA in English (Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio). From 1992 until 2011 I was living in Sheffield, and worked in student records at Sheffield Hallam University 2004-2011; while working at the university I was fortunate enough to be able to indulge my love of literature and gain a Master’s degree in English in 2009.

Doing the Master’s brought me into contact with archives and archivists, and I decided to pursue a career in archives. In 2012 I completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management (distance-learning) with the University of Dundee. In addition to my post with Sacred Heart, I work three days a week as an Archives and Library Assistant at the Bishopsgate Institute. I am a member of the Archives and Records Association UK & Ireland and attend regular conferences and training events to keep up to date with the latest in the theory and practice of looking after collections.

My hours at Barat House are Thursdays and Fridays, 9.30 – 5.30.
You can reach me at rscjenwarchives@gmail.com