Public access to the records of The Episcopal Church is governed by policies adopted by the Board of Archives and by agreements with private donors. Generally, records older than thirty years are open to the public unless they contain personal information. The ability of the Archives’ curators to respond to public requests for information is highly dependent on their availability. Priority is given to church leaders and members who are engaged in the mission and support work of The Episcopal Church.
Researchers are asked to submit their inquiry using the Contact Form. Quick reference or fact checking questions that can be answered in less than 30 minutes are handled without further application. In depth use of the Archives requires the researcher to complete a letter of Application for the Examination of Archives (available through the Contact Form). The required information will help the curators determine whether the holdings contain documentation that speaks to the inquiry.
Public access and reasonable requests for personal use copies of records are typically granted. Inquirers should be aware, however, that certain restrictions are imposed based on the age of the documents, their physical condition, copyright, or level of content sensitivity. Any one of these factors may result in withholding access. Records in the Archives are categorized as:
Open Records. Most records in the Archives older than 30 years are open to the public. All published or formally printed records distributed by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society are open for access, as are minutes of the General Convention and its Interim Bodies and the Executive Council; records of Episcopal organizations; and personal papers when not restricted by the donor.
Confidential Records. Records and data that contain personnel information, personally identifiable information, and similar sensitive personal information are closed for a period of 80 years, after the death or last event of the creator, and are not available to the public.
Restricted Records. Internal communication and business records are withheld from public browsing and physical inspection for a period of 30 years, after the latest recorded date of the related file, as they constitute privileged operational data of the creating Episcopal Church body or agency.
All records and papers of The Archives of the Episcopal Church, unless otherwise noted, are the property of The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Researchers are required to request permission to publish beyond fair use and to assign credit in print to the Archives as the rights owner.