Patricia O'Connell Papers

Patricia O'Connell Papers, 1884-1991

Overview of the Collection

Creator: O'Connell, Patricia, 1920-1996
Title: Patricia O'Connell Papers
Dates: 1884-1991 (inclusive)
18841991
Quantity: 3.8 linear feet
Collection Number: Mss 613
Summary: This collection includes researcher Patricia O’Connell’s notes and documents related to the arrival of Ursuline nuns, especially Mother Amadeus, in Montana in 1884 and their work at missions on the Indian reservations.
Repository: University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions: Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Patricia O’Connell was born on October 9, 1920 in Watkins, Minnesota to Joe and Helen Finley. She attended grade school in Carthage, South Dakota, high school in Billings, Montana, and graduated with a teaching degree from The University of Montana in Missoula. She taught grade school in Ennis, Montana for one year before marrying C. J. O’Connell in 1946 in Missoula. The couple moved to Bozeman at that time. After her husband passed away in 1971, she moved to Billings for a short time and then to Polson where she lived from 1975 to 1994. She then moved to Wenatchea, Washington where she lived at the time of her death on April 29, 1996.

Mrs. O’Connell was a member of several historical groups and did research on the exploration and settlement of Montana. She was particularly interested in the arrival and work of Ursuline nuns in Montana, primarily at the missions on reservations, and especially the life of Mother Amadeus.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The bulk of this collection is correspondence, photocopied documents, news articles, interviews and research notes related to the arrival of Ursuline nuns, especially Mother Amadeus, in Montana in 1884 and their work at missions on the Indian reservations. The collection also contains some class notes, drafts of unpublished stories and articles, and miscellaneous including a small amount of correspondence as well as articles and essays about religion, primarily Catholicism.

The collection has been divided into five series. Series I, Research, contains materials related to the background of the Ursuline nuns in the United States, the arrival of the Ursuline nuns in Montana beginning in 1884, prominent Ursuline nuns including Mother Amadeus and Mother Angela, specific research on Mother Amadeus’s secular family, the Dunnes, and the Ursuline missions mostly located on Montana’s Indian reservations. Series II, Correspondence with Mother Amata, contains O’Connell’s initial correspondence with Mother Amata Dunne, the niece of Mother Amadeus, regarding the life of Mother Amadeus and the history of Ursuline nuns. It also contains later correspondence in which O’Connell addresses Mother Amata more as a friend and spiritual advisor. Series III, Class notes, contains English, labor history, general U.S. history and writing class notes as well as research about writing and miscellaneous topics. Series IV, Drafts of stories and articles, contains O’Connell’s original drafts of unpublished stories and articles, the latter related to Montana history. Series V, Miscellaneous, contains miscellaneous correspondence, magazine rejection slips, articles and essays about religion, particularly Catholicism, and some Catholic related ephemera. Series VI, Publications, contains books annotated by O'Connell, most are on American Indian or American history topics.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright status unknown.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Patricia O'Connell Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is divided into five series:

Series I: Research, 1.8 linear feet, 1884-1971

Series II: Correspondence with Mother Amata, 0.4 linear feet, 1957-1971

Series III: Class notes, 0.2 linear feet, 1944-1969

Series IV: Drafts of stories and articles, 0.4 linear feet, undated

Series V: Miscellaneous, 0.2 linear feet, 1944-1972

Series VI: Publications, 0.8 linear feet, 1960-1991

Custodial History

Patricia O’Connell gathered and wrote the materials in this collection until her death when the collection was delivered to the archives by her son, Dan O’Connell, at her request

Acquisition Information

Donation following death at the bequest of Patricia O’Connell, 1996.

Processing Note

This collection was maintained in an approximation of the existing order that consisted of envelopes holding topically similar materials. Correspondence was put in chronological order and research materials were separated by type but maintained in the original categories. Loose materials were filed within original categories and where necessary, new categories were created.

Related Materials

Archives and Special Collections holds an oral history interview conducted by Patricia O'Connell with Mother Amata Dunne (OH 023). The audio quality is very poor.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I: Research, 1884-1971Return to Top

1.75 linear feet

This series contains materials relating to the background of the Ursuline nuns in the United States, the arrival of the Ursuline nuns in Montana beginning in 1884, prominent Ursuline nuns including Mother Amadeus and Mother Angela, specific research on Mother Amadeus’s secular family, the Dunnes, and the Ursuline missions mostly located on Montana’s Indian reservations.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/1	Notes from interview with Mother Amato	undated
1/2	Notes including questions to ask Mother Amato	undated
1/3	Timeline of Ursuline nuns in Montana	undated
1/4	Article titled "Departing Ursulines," Toledo Blade	1884
1/5	Research correspondence about Mother Amadeus	1957
1/6	Research correspondence about Mother Amadeus	1958
1/7	Research correspondence about Mother Amadeus	1959
1/8	Research correspondence about Mother Amadeus Dunne and the Ursuline order in Montana	1960
1/9	Correspondence regarding the writing of the Mother Amadeus story	1958-1964
1/10	Research correspondence and notes about Mother Angela, the former Florence Lincoln	1960-1994
1/11	Mother Angela, the former Florence Lincoln, photographs	undated
1/12	Research correspondence regarding Ursuline nuns	1957-1958
1/13	Travel research notebook	1958
1/14	Notes from Ursulines of the West	undated
1/15	Notes from Life of Mother Amadeus of the Heart of Jesus: Founder of the Ursuline Missions of Montana and Alaska	undated
1/16	Notes from Tom Nash’s paper	undated
1/17	Descriptions of Mother Amadeus	undated
1/18	Drafts of chapters on Mother Amadeus	undated
1/19	Notes about nuns and missions in Montana from various publications	undated
1/20	News clippings and articles about Ursuline nuns	1927-1960
1/21	History of the Cleveland Ursulines	undated
1/22	Note about Marie (Tours) of the Incarnation	undated
1/23	Draft of chapter about Ursuline nuns	undated
1/24	Notes on trip to New York and Ursuline convents	undated
1/25	Research notes about nuns	undated
1/26	Holy card from funeral of Mother Amadeus	1919
1/27	Research correspondence on Dunne family	1957-1959
1/28	Research correspondence on Dunne family	1960-1961
1/29	Research correspondence on Dunne family	1963-1964
1/30	Research correspondence on Dunne family	1967
1/31	Notes on the Dunne family and Mother Amadeus	undated
1/32	Notes from manuscript titled "Historical Memoir of the Dunne and O’Dunne families in Ireland and the U.S.A.	1957
2/1	Research on Irish background of Dunne family	1964-1967
2/2	Correspondence regarding the Holy Family Mission, Browning, Montana	1957-1966
2/3	The Ursuline Building at the Holy Family Mission near Browning, Montana photographs	1960
2/4	The Ursuline Building at the Holy Family Mission near Browning, Montana photographs	1959
2/5	Brief research notes on the Blackfeet tribe	undated
2/6	"Out of the North: A Brief Historical Sketch of the Blackfeet Indian Tribe" by Frank Linderman	undated
2/7	"The Story of the Blackfeet" by John C. Ewers	1952
2/8	Correspondence regarding Mother Amadeus and St. Ignatius	1958
2/9	St. Ignatius interview and research notes	1958
2/10	St. Ignatius and miscellaneous research notes	undated
2/11	St. Ignatius news clippings	undated
2/12	St. Ignatius Centennial Historical Pageant	undated
2/13	"100 Years in the Flathead Valley: The St. Ignatius, Centennial"	1954
2/14	A History of St. Ignatius Mission by Reverend William L. Davis, S. J.	1954
2/15	Correspondence regarding St. Labre’s Mission, Montana	1957-1968
2/16	Reminiscences of Sister St. Angela Abair of St. Labre’s Mission	1938-1961
2/17	Research and interview notes about St. Labre’s Mission	undated
2/18	"Race of Sorrows" newsletter about the history of St. Labre’s Mission	1956-1957
2/19	Clippings and articles about the Northern Cheyenne and St. Labre’s Mission	1958-1963
2/20	Research regarding George Yoakum and the early St. Labre’s Mission	1958
2/21	Correspondence regarding the arrival of Ursuline nuns in Miles City, Montana	1958
2/22	Research notes on Ursuline nuns arriving in Miles City, Montana	undated
3/1	Correspondence regarding St. Paul’s Mission, Blaine County, Montana	1957-1958
3/2	Research on St. Paul’s Mission	undated
3/3	Travel and interview diary of trip to St. Paul’s Mission	1958
3/4	Photo and description of St. Paul’s Mission on Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana	circa 1890
3/5	News clippings and articles about Fort Belknap Reservation and St. Paul’s Mission	1952-1961
3/6	Unidentified photo of three nuns standing in front of building, probably at St. Paul’s Mission	undated
3/7	Unidentified photos taken on Fort Belknap Reservation	undated
3/8	Draft of chapter on St. Paul’s Mission	undated
3/9	Yearbook for Mission High School, Hays, Montana	1958
3/10	Notes on articles and interview about St. Peter’s Mission near Cascade, Montana	undated
3/11	Correspondence with former St. Peter’s Mission students	1957
3/12	Interview with Mrs. McCartney about St. Peter’s Mission	undated
3/13	Novices, Sisters, and Mothers at St. Peter’s Mission	undated
3/14	Miscellaneous notes on St. Peter’s Mission	undated
3/15	News clippings and articles about St. Peter’s Mission	1958-1959
3/16	Notes from Edward Albright’s 1949 thesis titled "St. Peter’s Mission"	undated
3/17	Buildings and partial structures still standing at St. Peter’s Mission, photographs	undated
3/18	Draft of chapter about Mother Amadeus and St. Peter’s Mission	undated
3/19	Correspondence regarding the Crow Indians and St. Frances Xavier Mission	1957-1959
3/20	Interview notes on St. Frances Xavier Mission at Crow Agency, Montana	undated
3/21	Research notes on St. Frances Xavier Mission at Crow Agency, Montana	undated
3/22	News clippings regarding St. Frances Xavier Mission	undated
3/23	Draft of chapter on St. Frances Xavier Mission and the Crow Reservation	undated
3/24	News clippings regarding the Crow Indians, the Crow Reservation, and the Battle of the Little Big Horn	1960
3/25	News clippings about nuns and convents in Montana	undated
3/26	Correspondence regarding research about priests in Montana	1958-1964
3/27	Research notes about priests in Montana	undated
3/28	Jesuits in Montana by Wilfred Schoenberg, S.J.	1960
3/29	Articles about priests outside of Montana	1958-1963
3/30	News clippings about Catholic institutions in Montana	1954-1960
4/1	Research notes about Indians in Montana	undated
4/2	News clippings about Indians in Montana	1958-1972
4/3	Correspondence about Indian housing	1958-1959
4/4	"Indians of the Montana and Wyoming Billings Area" by the BIA	1957
4/5	"Indian and Archaeology Information" by Carling Malouf and Verne Dusenberry	undated
4/6	Research notes about Indians in the U.S.	undated
4/7	Clippings and pamphlets about Indians in the U.S.	1957-1971
4/8	Unidentified photo postcards of Indians	undated
4/9	Correspondence related to Montana historical research	1957-1958
4/10	Montana history research notes	undated
4/11	News clippings about Montana history	1960-1971
4/12	Brochures and articles about Montana history and locales	undated
4/13	Miscellaneous news clippings about Montana	1965-1971
4/14	Postcards of Montana	undated

Series II: Correspondence with Mother Amata, 1957-1971Return to Top

0.5 linear feet

This series contains materials correspondence with Mother Amata, including O’Connell’s initial correspondence with Mother Amata Dunne, the niece of Mother Amadeus, regarding the life of Mother Amadeus and the history of Ursuline nuns.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
4/15	Correspondence to Mother Amata	1957
4/16	Correspondence to Mother Amata	1958
4/17	Correspondence to Mother Amata	1959
4/18	Correspondence to Mother Amata	1960
4/19	Correspondence to Mother Amata	1963
4/20	Correspondence to Mother Amata	1964
4/21	Correspondence to Mother Amata	1965
4/22	Correspondence to Mother Amata	1969
4/23	Correspondence from Mother Amata	1957
4/24	Correspondence from Mother Amata	1958
4/25	Correspondence from Mother Amata	1959
4/26	Correspondence from Mother Amata	1960
4/27	Correspondence from Mother Amata	1961
4/28	Correspondence from Mother Amata	1962
5/1	Correspondence from Mother Amata	1963
5/2	Correspondence from Mother Amata	1964
5/3	Correspondence from Mother Amata	1965
5/4	Correspondence from Mother Amata	1966-1971
5/5	Correspondence to Marc O’Connell from Mother Amata	1964
5/6	Correspondence to and from others at the Ursuline Convent, St. Ignatius, Montana	1963-1969

Series III: Class and Research Notes, 1944-1969Return to Top

0.2 linear feet

This series contains English, labor history, general U.S. history and writing class notes as well as research about writing and miscellaneous topics.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
5/7	English class notes	1944
5/8	Labor history class notes	undated
5/9	General U.S. history notes	undated
5/10	Writing class notes	1969
5/11	Class and story structure notes	undated
5/12	Miscellaneous story research	undated
5/13	Miscellaneous research notes	undated
5/14	Miscellaneous research resource notes	undated
5/15	News clippings and articles about writing	undated

Series IV: Drafts of Stories and Articles, undatedReturn to Top

0.3 linear feet

This series contains O’Connell’s original drafts of unpublished stories and articles, the latter related to Montana history.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
5/16	"The Fabulous Place"	undated
5/17	"First Family"	undated
5/18	"Lafcadio Hearn"	undated
5/19	"Maunie"	undated
5/20	"Me ‘n Cinderella"	undated
5/21	"Old House – New House"	undated
5/22	"The Road West"	undated
6/1	"The Stranger"	undated
6/2	"To Grandma with Love"	undated
6/3	Chapter Two, "Montana, Its Geography and History"	undated
6/4	Chapter Three, "The Pioneers – Tell Me a Story"	undated
6/5	Untitled story about family life and a Catholic retreat	undated
6/6	Untitled story	undated
6/7	Untitled story	undated
6/8	Untitled drafts and notes	undated
6/9	A fifteen minute suspense drama	undated

Series V: Miscellaneous, 1944-1972Return to Top

0.25 linear feet

This series contains miscellaneous correspondence, magazine rejection slips, articles and essays about religion, and some related Catholic ephemera.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
6/10	Miscellaneous correspondence related to writing	1955-1957
6/11	Magazine rejection slips	undated
6/12	Personal notes and letters	1944-1971
6/13	Correspondence and personal essays about religion	1957-1965
6/14	Miscellaneous correspondence	1964
6/15	Essay on The Liturgy of the Mass	1972
6/16	Miscellaneous notes about religion	undated
6/17	Prayer cards and missals	undated
6/18	Two unidentified photos, one of pageant participants and the other of a nun and a first communicant	1957
6/19	Six photos of unidentified Ursuline house and surrounding area	undated
6/20	News clippings and articles about contemporary nuns and convents	1955-1964
6/21	News clippings and articles about assorted Catholic and other religious issues	1957-1962
6/22	Magazines and pamphlets about religion	1960-1963

Series VI: Publications, 1960-1991Return to Top

0.8 linear feet

This series contains 16 books owned by Patricia O’Connell. Most of the publications relate to her historical research and interest in the history of the American west and American Indian history. Many of the books have annotations written by O’Connell and a single folder of undated notes is also included.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
7	Books	1960-1991
8	Books and Notes	1960-1991

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Indians of North America--Missions--Montana
Missions--Montana

Personal Names

Amadeus, Mother

Corporate Names

Catholic Church--Missions--Montana
Ursulines--Missions--Montana

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