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Francis Norbert Blanchet Papers, 1842-1883

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Blanchet, Francis Norbert, 1795-1883.
Title
Francis Norbert Blanchet Papers
Dates
1842-1883 (inclusive)
1844-1848 (bulk)
Quantity
.6 cubic foot (1 document case)
Collection Number
Mss 322
Summary
The collection consists of letters of Catholic missionary F.N. Blanchet to L'Abbé Auger at Paris during a European trip by Blanchet, in addition to other letters to Auger about Blanchet, fund-raising and recruitment for the Oregon mission.
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
French, English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

François Norbert Blanchet, pioneer priest of the Pacific Northwest, was born in 1795 in St. Pierre, Quebec. He was ordained in 1819. In 1838 Blanchet and Rev. Modeste Demers were sent as missionaries to Fort Vancouver. Blanchet designed the Catholic Ladder as a teaching aid for his missionary priests. The original was hand-drawn on an upright wood slab; later versions were printed. Blanchet, after traveling to Rome, was named Archbishop of Oregon City in 1846, the same year his brother, Augustin, became Bishop of Walla Walla. In later years he traveled extensively, going to South America and Canada on behalf of his diocese. He moved to Portland in 1862 and established a cathedral there. He traveled to Rome in 1869 for the Vatican Council. He retired in 1881, and died two years later.

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Content Description

Included are 20 letters of F.N. Blanchet to L'Abbé Auger at Paris during Blanchet's European trip, in addition to other letters to Auger about Blanchet, fund-raising and recruitment for the Oregon mission. Two of the latter are from J.B. Pretor and one from A.M.A. Blanchet. There is also a letter from Sister Loyola at St. Paul du Wallamet to F.N. Blanchet. Included also is contemporary printed matter, along with typed transcriptions (in French) of the letters.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

Available on microfilm at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Francis Norbert Blanchet Papers, Mss 322, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

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Administrative Information

Processing Note

Collection previously included an 1859 Catholic ladder that was transferred to Coll 51, the Catholic ladders collection, in July 2021.

Acquisition Information

Origin of the collection is unknown.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Letters to F. N. Blanchet
    Dates: 1845-1847
    Container: Box/Folder 1/1
  • Description: Letters to l'Abbé Auger
    Dates: 1846-1848
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2
  • Description: Typescripts of letters
    Container: Box/Folder 1/3
  • Description: Carbon copies of typescripts
    Container: Box/Folder 1/4
  • Description: Printed materials
    Dates: 1842-1883
    Container: Box/Folder 1/5

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Catholic Church -- Missions.

Personal Names

  • Auger, Abbé, fl. 1845-1847 -- Correspondence.
  • Blanchet, Francis Norbert, 1795-1883.
  • Loyola, Sister -- Correspondence.
  • Pretot, J. B. -- Correspondence.

Corporate Names

  • Catholic Church -- Bishops.
  • Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Oregon City (Or.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Letters -- 19th century.
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