CCV.SGM Catholic Central Verein of America Records Guide University of Notre Dame Archives University of Notre Dame Archives 2005

Notre Dame, Indiana 46556

Description based on paper finding aids and inhouse database. English 2003-01-30 CCV.SGM converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (20030122). CCV Catholic Central Verein of America Records 1826-1972 (bulk 1908-1952). Catholic Central Verein of America. 8 linear feet. 11 reels of microfilm. 6 linear feet of printed material. University of Notre Dame Archives

Notre Dame, Indiana 46556

and [code "gereng" not found in ISO 639-2 list]. Legal Status Private Administrative Information

Catholic Central Verein, St. Louis, Missouri.

Contractual restrictions may apply.

Preferred Citation

Catholic Central Verein of America Records (CCV), University of Notre Dame Archives (UNDA), Notre Dame, IN 46556

Scope and Content

Correspondence files from the Central Bureau, most of them involving Frederick P. Kenkel and dating from his term as director (1908-1952); concerning Central Verein business and Catholic topics of the day, including a large file on anti-Catholic speakers claiming to be ex-priests and nuns. Correspondents include John J. Cochran, Brother Joseph Dutton, Mary Filser Lohr, Joseph Matt, John Rothensteiner, and George Shuster, and many prominent German Catholics.

Microfilm contains notes on early proposals for a Central Verein, ca. 1853; minutes of annual national conventions, 1855-1865, including treasurer's reports, corresponding secretary's reports, and resolutions; national convention programs, ca. 1888-1962; state convention programs, ca. 1896-1960; constitution and bylaws, 1895; constitutions of German Catholic benevolent societies; correspondence of Frederick P. Kenkel, 1938-1945; and a scrapbook from the 1937 Central Verein convention.

Printed material consists largely of convention material (programs, proceedings, and official reports of national and state conferences) with material from every national convention from 1893 through 1967, except for 1902, 1907, 1915, 1965, and 1966.

Programs generally contain greetings to the delegates from dignitaries of the host city, histories of host cities and parishes in host cities, histories of the national or state Verein, statements from national or state officers, a schedule of convention events, letters from church dignitaries, lists of officers, lists of delegates, lists of organizing committee members and sponsors, and advertisements.

In German and English.

Background

A national union of Catholic lay societies founded in 1855. The original organization consisted almost entirely of societies serving German Catholic immigrants and their families. The Verein underwent a major reorganization ca. 1900, becoming a national association built upon state federations of Catholic societies, rather than having each local society hold direct membership in the national association.

A permanent Central Bureau was established at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1908, with Frederick P. Kenkel as director. An affiliated National Catholic Women's Union (originally the Frauenbund) was established by 1916. The two organizations generally held joint conventions at both the national and state levels.

The Verein and the Women's Union engaged in such activities as newspaper publishing, assisting German immigrants, providing aid to the sick, providing a form of life insurance for members, and assisting widows and orphans. The two organizations had lost most of their German character by the end of World War II, and eventually the Central Verein changed its name to the Central Union.

Catholic Central Verein of America. National Catholic Women's Union (U.S.) Anti-Catholicism. Catholic Church -- Societies, etc. -- United States. German Americans. Catholics, German. Kenkel, Frederick, 1863-1952. Cochran, John J. (John Joseph), 1880-1947. Dutton, Joseph, 1843-1931. Lohr, Mary Filser. Matt, Joseph, 1877-1966. Rothensteiner, John E. (John Ernest), 1860-1936. Shuster, George Nauman, 1894- Catholic Central Verein of America. Central Bureau. Scrapbooks. Letters. CCCV Catholic Central Verein of America: Manuscripts CCCV 1-4,7 Central Bureau General Correspondence CCCV 1/01 Americanization of Immigrants 1915-1916 CCCV 1/02 General correspondence - A 1921-1948 CCCV 7/01 Anti-Catholicism (phony priests and nuns, lecturers) 1918-1942 CCCV 7/02 Anti-Catholicism (phony priests and nuns, lecturers) 1913-1957 CCCV 7/03 Anti-Catholicism (phony priests and nuns, lecturers) 1901-1946 CCCV 7/04 Apostleship of the Sea 1927-1949 CCCV 7/05 General correspondence - B 1895-1949 CCCV 7/06 Beierschmidt, Rev. J. M. 1928-1939 CCCV 7/07 Benevolent Societies 1935-1940 CCCV 7/08 Benziger, Marieli (Free Switzerland) 1939 CCCV 1/03 Boniface celebration 1916 CCCV 1/04 Brockland, August F. (Dismissal) 1929-1938 CCCV 1/05 Brophy, Liam 1946-1952 CCCV 1/06 Bishops - A , B 1915-1938 CCCV 1/07 Bishops - C , D , E 1913-1942 CCCV 1/08 Bishops - European 1890-1929 CCCV 1/09 Bishops - F , G 1918-1938 CCCV 1/10 Bishops - Glennon, John 1908-1936 CCCV 7/09 Bishops - H - K 1920-1937 CCCV 1/11 Bishops - L , M 1900-1942 CCCV 1/12 Bishops - Muench , Aloysius J. 1923-1929 CCCV 1/13 Bishops - Muench , Aloysius J. 1930-1939 CCCV 1/14 Bishops - Muench , Aloysius J. 1940-1960 CCCV 1/15 Bishops - Muench , Aloysius J. 1940 CCCV 7/10 Bishops - N - R 1907-1939 CCCV 7/11 Bishops - S - W 1900-1946 CCCV 1/16 Bishops - Johann Rese 1931 CCCV 7/12 Bishops - Wehrle, Vincent 1913-1934 CCCV 1/17 General Correspondence - C 1908-1949 CCCV 1/18 Catholic Apologetical Literature 1930-1939 CCCV 7/13 Catholic Church in Mexico 1914-1931 CCCV 1/19 Catholic Colonization Society 1909-1919 CCCV 1/20 Catholic Committee on International Peace 1927 CCCV 1/21 Catholic Daily Newspapers 1937-1947 CCCV 1/22 Catholic Family Life Insurance 1953 CCCV 1/23 Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute 1942 CCCV 1/24 Catholic Truth Guild 1917 CCCV 1/25 Central-Blatt and Social Justice (name change) 1940 CCCV 1/26 Central Bureau (Speeches and comments on) 1909-1915 CCCV 1/27 Central Bureau (Central Society Relief Association) 1919 CCCV 1/28 Central Bureau correspondence 1920-1941 CCCV 1/29 Central Bureau employees 1914-1938 CCCV 1/30 Central Bureau Finances 1918-1919 CCCV 1/31 Central Bureau legislative activities 1914-1932 CCCV 7/14 Central Bureau Press Bulletins 1921-1923 CCCV 7/15 Central Bureau Printed Material n.d. CCCV 1/32 Central Bureau Publications and Books 1920-1943 CCCV 1/33 Central Bureau - Social Justice Review 1940-1953 CCCV 1/34 Central Verein - Sale of Chicago property 1921 CCCV 1/35 Central Verein - City, County, and District Leagues 1921-1944 CCCV 1/36 Central Verein Committee on Legislation 1945 CCCV 1/37 Central Verein Youth Movement 1932-1933 CCCV 1/38 Christ's Mission 1939 CCCV 1/39 The Church in Germany by Aloysius J. Muench 1954 CCCV 1/40 John J. Cochran 1929-1946 CCCV 1/41 Peter Collins 1913 CCCV 7/16 Confidential Letters to the Director 1892-1945 CCCV 1/42 Charles Coughlin 1931-1942 CCCV 1/43 Credit Unions 1924-1934 CCCV 1/44 Credit Unions 1935-1939 CCCV 1/45 Credit Unions 1940-1947 CCCV 1/46 General Correspondence - D 1907-1949 CCCV 1/47 Democratic Party campaign form letters 1912 CCCV 1/48 Dengler, Theobald 1938-1951 CCCV 1/49 Deutsches Ausland-Institut - Stuttgart 1927-1935 CCCV 1/50 Dexl, Hans 1930-1941 CCCV 1/51 Diamond Jubilee Celebration 1929-1931 CCCV 1/51 Aloysius Muench CCCV 1/52 Diamond Jubilee , miscellaneous 1931 CCCV 1/53 Diamond Jubilee fund (Letters, Records) 1929-1931 CCCV 7/17 Dielmann, Henry B. 1925-1936 CCCV 7/18 Dietz, Nicholas 1923-1949 CCCV 7/19 Dockendorf, F. J. 1927-1930 CCCV 1/54 Dockendorf, F. J. 1931 CCCV 1/55 Dockendorf, F. J. 1932-1934 CCCV 7/20 Dutton, Brother Joseph 1890-1931 CCCV 1/56 General Correspondence - E 1907-1949 CCCV 1/57 Eggemann, Rev. Hubert J. 1933-1938 CCCV 1/58 Eibeck, John 1931-1934 CCCV 2/01 Eibeck, John 1935-1945 CCCV 2/02 Eibner, Willibald 1927-1930 CCCV 2/03 Eibner, Willibald 1931-1932 CCCV 2/04 Eibner, Willibald 1933-1935 CCCV 2/05 Engelen, William 1928-1934 CCCV 2/06 General Correspondence - F 1919-1947 CCCV 2/07 Federal Aid to Education 1916-1959 CCCV 2/08 Federal Council of the Churches of Christ 1931 CCCV 2/09 Food Shortage, World War I and After 1917 CCCV 2/10 Foreign Language Question in Schools 1919 CCCV 2/11 Freier Vereinigung fur Seelsorgehifle 1939 CCCV 2/12 Archbishop Faulhaber's tour of the U.S.A. 1920 CCCV 7/21 French Negro troops in occupied Germany (Racism) 1920 CCCV 2/13 Friends of Democracy , Inc. 1947-1948 CCCV 2/14 Joseph Frey 1916-1918 CCCV 2/15 Furger, Johannes 1938-1940 CCCV 2/16 General Correspondence - G 1900-1948 CCCV 2/17 Gassner, Louis (convention matters) 1932 CCCV 7/22 George, Henry and Catherine (McGlynn case) 1942-1944 CCCV 2/18 German American Conference 1931-1932 CCCV 2/19 German-American Press 1929-1936 CCCV 2/20 German-American Organizations 1910-1918 CCCV 7/23 German Language Question 1901-1922 CCCV 2/21 German Relief " Thank Yous " 1898-1924 CCCV 2/22 Girten, Michael F. 1917-1935 CCCV 2/23 Goetten, Henry 1940-1943 CCCV 2/24 Goldstein, David 1912-1948 CCCV 2/25 Gonner, Nic 1900 CCCV 2/26 General Correspondence - H 1914-1950 CCCV 2/27 Haeringer, A. B. 1927-1930 CCCV 8/01 Hammeke, Theodore 1916-1930 CCCV 2/28 Heckencamp, F. W. 1931-1950 CCCV 2/29 Hospitals n.d. CCCV 2/30 General Correspondence - I 1934-1949 CCCV 2/31 Immigration 1923-1929 CCCV 8/02 Immigration Quotas 1909-1924 CCCV 2/32 Indian Affairs 1903-1945 CCCV 2/33 Institute of the B.V.M. (American and German) 1935-1945 CCCV 2/34 Investments 1940-1946 CCCV 2/35 General Correspondence - J 1913-1950 CCCV 2/36 General Correspondence - K 1914-1950 CCCV 2/37 Keen, George 1946-1950 CCCV 2/38 Kenkel, Frederick P. 1933-1936 CCCV 2/39 King, L. J. (Phony priest , anti-Catholic speaker) 1924-1929 CCCV 2/40 Koesters, Rev. Joseph (speaking tour) 1903-1913 CCCV 2/41 Kolping Society 1929-1954 CCCV 2/42 Kreuzberger, Otto H. 1929-1933 CCCV 2/43 Krueger, Rudolf (resignation) 1909 CCCV 2/44 Theresa Kulage 1940 CCCV 8/03 Kueper Contingent Fund 1926-1940 CCCV 2/45 Korz, Charles 1918-1923 CCCV 8/04 Korz, Charles 1924 CCCV 2/46 Korz, Charles 1925 CCCV 8/05 Korz, Charles 1926-1927 CCCV 2/47 Korz, Charles 1928-1929 CCCV 2/48 Korz, Charles 1930-1932 CCCV 2/49 Korz, Charles n.d. CCCV 2/50 General Correspondence - L 1912-1949 CCCV 2/51 Lenhart, John M. 1933-1950 CCCV 7/24 Library Construction - Catholic Central Verein 1930-1931 CCCV 2/52 Loeffler, James D. 1934-1937 CCCV 8/06 Loewenstein, Prince Hubertus 1936-1945 CCCV 3/01 Lutz, Bernard (and the draft) 1941-1944 CCCV 8/07 Ella Lynch (International League of Teacher-Mothers) 1935-1939 CCCV 3/02 General Correspondence - M 1911-1955 CCCV 3/03 Magazine and Book Sellers 1909-1944 CCCV 3/04 Marriage Laws 1937-1939 CCCV 8/08 Markert, F. 1911-1940 CCCV 3/05 Maryknoll Mission (Manzanar, California) 1942-1943 CCCV 3/06 Maternity Guilds 1933-1951 CCCV 3/07 Matt, Joseph 1906-1950 CCCV 3/08 Matt, Joseph 1955-1956 CCCV 8/09 Mayer, Albert 1930-1936 CCCV 3/09 Michael, Virgil 1928-1936 CCCV 3/10 Miscellaneous Correspondence (unidentified) 1875-1945 CCCV 3/11 Missions and Emigrants 1921-1922 CCCV 3/12 Moosman, Charles 1932-1936 CCCV 3/13 Motion Pictures 1922-1940 CCCV 8/10 Muehlsepian, H. (Report of) 1880 CCCV 3/14 General Correspondence - N , O 1921-1947 CCCV 3/15 National Catholic War Council 1918 CCCV 3/16 National Catholic War Council 1918 CCCV 3/17 National Catholic Welfare Council 1920-1921 CCCV 3/18 National Council of Catholic Men 1921 CCCV 3/19 Och, Monsignor Joseph 1922-1933 CCCV 3/20 General Correspondence - P , Q 1915-1950 CCCV 3/21 Philippines and Puerto Rico 1913-1948 CCCV 3/22 Plassmeyer, Theodore 1935-1949 CCCV 3/23 Polish Roman Catholic Union 1944 CCCV 3/24 Pope Pius XII (photographs) 1944 CCCV 3/25 Postcards (Churches and Shrines) n.d. CCCV 3/26 Prisons and Prison Labor 1917-1928 CCCV 3/27 General Correspondence - R 1891-1950 CCCV 5/25 Real Estate - Land Purchase 1914-1932 CCCV 3/28 Religious Garb in Public Schools 1939 CCCV 8/11 Rothensteiner, John 1919-1928 CCCV 8/12 Rural Issues 1898-1951 CCCV 3/29 Rural Life Conference 1932 CCCV 8/13 General Correspondence - S 1897-1950 CCCV 3/30 St. Boniface Society (Germany) 1937 CCCV 3/31 St. Joseph's Verein (Ferdinand, Idaho) 1924 CCCV 3/32 St. Louis Charity Organization 1922-1936 CCCV 3/33 St. Louis Milk War 1930-1932 CCCV 3/34 St. Mary's Abbey (Richardton, N.D.) 1924-1928 CCCV 3/35 Sattler, Albert J. 1945-1950 CCCV 8/14 Bridget (Biddie) Sayers 1914 CCCV 3/36 School Bus Transportation 1934-1935 CCCV 3/37 Schuchard, F. W. 1893-1947 CCCV 3/38 Schuermann, Joseph (St. Louis, Missouri) 1914-1936 CCCV 3/39 Seyfried, Henry 1919-1931 CCCV 3/40 The Silent Hoosier - for the Deaf 1924 CCCV 3/41 Simmons, Anna 1914-1918 CCCV 3/42 Siefen, William H. 1936-1945 CCCV 8/15 Social Issues 1889-1954 CCCV 3/43 Steck, Reverend F. B. 1931-1949 CCCV 3/44 Suess, Adolph B. 1929-1932 CCCV 3/45 Suren, Victor T. 1956-1960 CCCV 3/46 Spaeth, Anton 1928-1930 CCCV 3/47 Spaeth, Anton 1929-1930 CCCV 3/48 Spaeth, Anton 1929-1930 CCCV 3/49 Spaeth, Anton 1929-1930 CCCV 3/50 Spaeth, Anton 1929-1930 CCCV 3/51 Spaeth, Anton 1929-1930 CCCV 8/16 General Correspondence - T 1921-1939 CCCV 4/01 Timpe, George 1936-1949 CCCV 4/02 Today's World 1946 CCCV 4/03 General Correspondence - U - Z 1906-1951 CCCV 4/06 Vogelweid, Joseph 1930-1931 CCCV 8/17 von Massalosky, Prince Nicholas 1933-1939 CCCV 4/04 Wartime German Federation 1942 CCCV 4/04 Shuster, George 1942 CCCV 4/05 Wavering, Sophia C. 1932-1935 CCCV 4-8 History Files CCCV 8/18 A 1834-1947 CCCV 8/19 B 1843-1949 CCCV 4/07 C - D 1929-1952 CCCV 4/08 Catholic Colonies in the U. S. (Waterflow, N.M.) 1944 CCCV 4/09 Central Bureau 1913-1941 CCCV 8/20 Central Bureau Endowment Drive 1922 CCCV 4/10 Central Bureau Pilgrimage 1927-1945 CCCV 4/11 Central Verein 1905-1944 CCCV 4/12 Central Verein and the Holy See 1919-1958 CCCV 4/13 Central Verein Presidents and Ex-presidents 1921-1951 CCCV 4/14 Central Verein - Pennsylvania, Oregon, New York 1928-1942 CCCV 8/21 Churches and Parishes 1900-1947 CCCV 4/15 E - F 1891-1943 CCCV 4/16 G 1855-1942 CCCV 4/17 German Language Question 1924-1938 CCCV 4/18 H - J 1913-1948 CCCV 4/19 K 1832-1951 CCCV 4/20 L 1900-1947 CCCV 4/21 M 1919-1949 CCCV 4/22 N - O 1907-1948 CCCV 4/23 Mandate for Catholic Action 1937-1938 CCCV 4/24 Maternity Guilds 1933-1946 CCCV 4/25 National Catholic Women's Union 1927-1943 CCCV 4/26 P 1922-1960 CCCV 4/27 R 1902-1960 CCCV 8/22 Rothensteiner, John 1918-1939 CCCV 8/23 S 1826-1948 CCCV 4/28 St. Lawrence Parish (New Hamburg, Missouri) 1932-1939 CCCV 4/29 Schuchard, F. W. 1919-1937 CCCV 4/30 Somereisen, Reverend Valentine 1935-1936 CCCV 4/31 State Affiliates - Arkansas, Connecticut 1913-1937 CCCV 4/32 State Affiliates - California 1913-1948 CCCV 4/33 State Affiliates - Illinois 1885-1958 CCCV 8/24 State Affiliates - Illinois 1885-1946 CCCV 4/34 State Affiliates - Kansas 1904-1949 CCCV 8/25 State Affiliates - Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Minn. 1902-1955 CCCV 8/26 State Affiliates - New Jersey, New York, North Dakota 1913-1952 CCCV 8/27 State Affiliates - Ohio, Oregon 1906-1940 CCCV 4/35 State Affiliates - Pennsylvania, Texas 1904-1960 CCCV 8/28 State Affiliates - Wisconsin 1904-1941 CCCV 8/29 T - Z 1865-1945 CCCV 4 Reconstruction File CCCV 4/36 A - C 1922-1947 CCCV 4/37 D - G 1916-1947 CCCV 4/38 H 1921-1939 CCCV 4/39 Furtado, C. X. 1941-1950 CCCV 4/40 J - N 1922-1949 CCCV 4/41 P - T 1919-1936 CCCV 4/42 O'Gallagher, Charles 1920-1933 CCCV 4/43 Reforestation Camps 1933-1934 CCCV 4/44 St. Mary's Academy and College 1922-1929 CCCV 4/45 U. S. Penitentiary - Atlanta , Georgia 1922-1923 CCCV 4/46 U. S. Penitentiary - Leavenworth 1922-1938 CCCV 4/47 U - V 1922-1926 CCCV 4-5,9 Catholic Central Verein of America Conventions CCCV 4/48 Correspondence and Reports 1921-1926 CCCV 4/49 Correspondence and Reports 1927-1930 CCCV 5/01 Correspondence 1933 CCCV 9/01 Correspondence and Reports 1929-1930 CCCV 5/02 Correspondence and Reports 1931-1932 CCCV 5/03 Correspondence and Reports 1934 CCCV 5/04 Correspondence 1935 CCCV 5/05 Correspondence and Reports 1936 CCCV 5/06 Correspondence 1937 CCCV 5/07 Correspondence 1938 CCCV 5/08 Correspondence 1939 CCCV 5/09 Correspondence 1939 CCCV 5/10 Reports 1939 CCCV 5/11 Correspondence 1940 CCCV 5/12 Correspondence 1940-1941 CCCV 5/13 Correspondence 1940 CCCV 5/14 Correspondence 1941 CCCV 5/15 Correspondence 1941-1942 CCCV 5/16 Correspondence 1942 CCCV 5/17 Correspondence and director's report 1943 CCCV 5/18 Correspondence and reports 1944 CCCV 5/19 Correspondence and reports 1945 CCCV 5/20 Correspondence and reports 1946 CCCV 5/21 Correspondence and reports 1948 CCCV 5/22 Correspondence and reports 1949 CCCV 5/23 Correspondence and reports 1952 CCCV 5/24 Convention material n.d. CCCV 6,9 National Catholic Women's Union (NCWU) CCCV 9/02 NCWU Convention material and correspondence 1919-1921 CCCV 6/01 NCWU Convention material and correspondence 1924-1925 CCCV 9/03 NCWU Correspondence and Programs 1935-1945 CCCV 6/02 NCWU Correspondence - Mission Exhibits 1935-1945 CCCV 9/04 NCWU Miscellaneous Printed Material 1916-1918 CCCV 6/03 NCWU General Correspondence 1918-1955 CCCV 9/05 NCWU Correspondence of State Affiliates 1928-1945 CCCV 6/04 NCWU Correspondence - Incomplete and undated n.d. CCCV 6/05 NCWU Correspondence - Missions and Charity 1930-1934 CCCV 6/06 NCWU Correspondence - Missions and Charity 1935-1940 CCCV 6/07 NCWU Correspondence - Silver Jubilee 1941 CCCV 6/08 Index of NCWU Bulletin 1928-1932 CCCV 6/09 NCWU Correspondence of Mary Filser Lohr and F. P. Kenkel 1943-1947 CCCV 6/10 NCWU Invitiations to Mary Filser Lohr 1953 CCCV 6/11 NCWU Convention Address 1972 CCCV 6/11 Cyril Echele CCCV 10 Oversize items CCCV 10/01 Certificate to accompany a Relic of St. Benedict CCCV 10/01 Joseph Labre (2 copies), n.d. CCCV 10/02 A Poem by Johann Rothensteiner, n.d. CCCV 10/03 A proclamation in German ; mentions Holy Roman Emperor 1758 CCCV 10/04 Pass to America via Bremen for John Amend 1834 CCCV 10/05 Volkerbund - Text of a speech by Chancellor Hitler 1933 CCCV 10/06 Birth Certificate of Madelaine Karleskind 1821 CCCV 10/07 Blueprint of the Central Bureau Library 1930 CCCV 10/08 Blueprint of the plaque at the Central Bureau Library 1930 CCCV 10/09 Amerikanisch - Deutscher Priester - Verein : Program, n.d. CCCV 10/10 A document concerning the cause for canonization of CCCV 10/10 Sister M. Philippinae Duchesne 1912 CCCV 10/11 Passport of Joseph Selinger 1895 CCCV 10/12 Ordination Certificate of Joseph Selinger 1891 MCCV Catholic Central Verein of America: Microfilm

This collection consists of various records of the Catholic Central Verein and its state branches, chiefly in the form of convention programs. Some letters, newspapers, and constitutions of German Catholic benevolent societies are also included. The Central Verein was founded in 1855 as a national union of Catholic lay societies. The original organization consisted almost entirely of societies serving German Catholic immigrants and their families. The Verein underwent a major reorganization circa 1900, becoming a national association built upon state federations of Catholic societies, rather than having each local society hold direct membership in the national association. A permanent Central Bureau was established at St Louis, Missouri in 1908 with Frederick P. Kenkel as director. An affiliated National Catholic Women's Union (originally the Frauenbund) was established by 1916. The two organizations generally held joint conventions at both the national and state levels. The Verien and the Women's Union engaged in such activities as newspaper publishing, assisting German immigrants, providing aid to the sick, providing a form of life insurance for members, and assisting widows and orphans. The two organizations gradually lost most of their German character by the end of World War II, and eventually the Central Verein changed its name to the Central Union. Much of the material in the collection is in German. These materials generally predate the American entry into the First World War in 1917. After 1917, most materials are in English.

The first reel contains minutes of the first 10 national conventions of the Central Verein, from 1855 to 1865. All are in German manuscript. Some notes regarding early proposals for a Central Verein, dating from circa 1853 are also included. Reel #2 contains a scrapbook record of the 1937 Central Verein convention, a series of monthly calendars from a German parish in St Louis, and some correspondence of Central Bureau director F.P. Kenkel, dating approximately 1938-1945. Reel #3 contains Central Verein national convention programs from c1888 to 1896, a series of the _Amerika_ newspaper, and the 1895 edition of the constitution and bylaws of the Verein in German. Reels #4 through #7 contain various state convention programs dating c1896-1960. Reel #8 is a collection of the constitutions of German Catholic benevolent societies. Reels #9 through #11 contain national convention programs from c1893 to 1962.

Convention programs generally contain such things as greetings to the delegates from dignitaries of the host city, histories of host cities and parishes in host cities, histories of the national/state Verein, statements from national/state officers, a schedule of convention events, letters from ecclesiastic dignitaries, lists of officers, lists of delegates, and lists of organizing committee members and sponsors. Advertisements appear quite commonly, and are generally in English even when the main text of the program is in German.

The minutes of national conventions which appear on reel #1 are quite likely those taken by the recording secretary at each convention; as treasurer's reports, corresponding secretary's reports, resolutions, and other records not found in convention programs appear there. Originals of some convention programs exist in the Notre Dame Archives. Additionally, a large quantity of convention minutes not on microfilm exist in the paper collection.

Source: Central Bureau of Central Verein, St Louis, Missouri

MCCV 01.007 Handwritten German notes re proposed Central Verein 1853 MCCV 01.009 Minutes of Central Verein convention, Buffalo, NY German 1856 MCCV 01.012 Minutes of Central Verein convention, Pittsburgh German 1857 MCCV 01.013 Minutes of Central Verein convention, Rochester NY German 1858 MCCV 01.015 Minutes of Central Verein convention, St Louis German 1860 MCCV 01.017 Minutes of Central Verein convention, Zanesville OH German 1861 MCCV 01.020 Minutes of Central Verein convention, Syracuse NY German 1862 MCCV 01.024 Minutes of Central Verein convention, Erie, PA German 1864 MCCV 01.027 Minutes of Central Verein convention Milwaukee German 1865 MCCV 01.033 List of local societies affiliated with Central Verein German 1857 MCCV 02.007 Scrapbook record of 1937 Central Verein Convention 1937 MCCV 02.091 St Joseph's Monthly Calendar. St Louis German begin ser 1893 MCCV 02.148 St Joseph's Monthly Calendar. St Louis German end series 1894 MCCV 02.158 Lttr of Apost Delegate re property of religious orders 1936 MCCV 02.159 Correspondence of Frederick P Kenkel, begin series c1938-45 MCCV 02.203 Correspondence of Frederick P Kenkel, end of series c1938-45 MCCV 03.005 Amerika Newspaper, St Louis. German. Begin series. 1939/0102 MCCV 03.069 Amerika Newspaper, St Louis. German. End of series. 1939/0630 MCCV 03.074 Program, 38th Central Verein Convention St Louis German 1893 MCCV 03.083 History of Central Verein and Missouri Catholics German 1917 MCCV 03.102 Volumes I and II of Central Blatt. St Louis German 1908-09 MCCV 03.161 5th General Convention of German Catholic Youth. German 1891 MCCV 03.185 Program, 33rd Central Verein Convention Cincinnati German 1888 MCCV 03.199 Program, 34th Central Verein Convention Cleveland German 1889 MCCV 03.205 Program, 35th Central Verein Convention Baltimore German 1890 MCCV 03.214 Constitution and Bylaws of Central Verein. German 1895 MCCV 03.221 Program, 39 Central Verein Convention New York City German 1894 MCCV 03.237 Program, 40th Central Verein Convention Albany NY German 1895 MCCV 03.256 Program, 41st Central Verein Convention Detroit. German 1896 MCCV 04.007 Program, 48th Catholic Union of Arkansas Convention 1938 MCCV 04.027 Program, 50th Catholic Union of Arkansas Convention 1940 MCCV 04.045 Program, 48th Catholic Union of Arkansas Convention 1938 MCCV 04.064 Program, 50th Catholic Union of Arkansas Convention 1940 MCCV 04.082 Program 22 Conn Verein convention New Britain CT German 1909 MCCV 04.085 Program 34th Conn Verein convention New Haven CT German 1921 MCCV 04.087 25th Anniv prog Conn br National Catholic Women's Union 1951 MCCV 04.092 75th anniv program Connecticut Catholic Central Union 1962 MCCV 04.094 Program Illinois Catholic Union 1900 convention. German 1900 MCCV 04.106 Program Illinois Catholic Union conv Chicago German 1901 MCCV 04.119 Program Illinois Catholic Union conv Bloomington German 1903 MCCV 04.128 Program Illinois Catholic Union conv Springfield German 1904 MCCV 04.139 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention Peru German 1905 MCCV 04.145 Program Illinois Catholic Union conv Rock Island German 1908 MCCV 04.155 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention Peoria German 1909 MCCV 04.165 Program Illinois Catholic Union conv Freeport German 1912 MCCV 04.169 Program Cntrl Illinois Dist Verband Qtrly Conv German / English 1914/0426 MCCV 04.171 Program Illinois Catholic Union conv Edwardsville German 1914 MCCV 04.179 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention Aurora German 1915 MCCV 04.186 Program Illinois Catholic Union conv Springfield German / English 1916 MCCV 04.190 Program Illinois Catholic Union conv Chicago Germn/Engl 1919 MCCV 04.195 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention at Quincy 1920 MCCV 04.203 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention Bloomington 1921 MCCV 04.207 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention at Peoria 1922 MCCV 04.210 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention at Effingham 1923 MCCV 04.220 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention at Freeport 1925 MCCV 04.227 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention at Decatur 1927 MCCV 04.229 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention East St Louis 1928 MCCV 04.234 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention at Chicago 1930 MCCV 04.236 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention Teutopolis 1935 MCCV 04.242 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention at Chicago 1938 MCCV 04.243 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention at Quincy 1939 MCCV 04.246 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention East St Louis 1940 MCCV 04.248 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention Springfield 1941 MCCV 04.249 Program Illinois Catholic Union convention East St Louis 1950 MCCV 04.252 Program Minnesota Verein conv at St Cloud German 1913 MCCV 04.258 Program Minnesota Verein convention at Chaska German 1914 MCCV 05.006 Program Minnesota Verein convention at Faribault German 1915 MCCV 05.011 Program Minnesota Verein convention Sleepy Eye German 1916 MCCV 05.014 Program Minnesota Verein convention at Fairfax 1932 MCCV 05.019 Program Minnesota Verein convention at Albany, Minn. 1933 MCCV 05.025 Program Minnesota Verein convention at Faribault 1949 MCCV 05.032 Program Minnesota Verein convention at Sauk Centre 1950 MCCV 05.039 Program Missouri Catholic Union conv Carondolet German 1900 MCCV 05.053 Program Missouri Catholic Union conv Jefferson City German 1904 MCCV 05.057 Program Missouri Catholic Union conv St Charles. German 1906 MCCV 05.063 Program Missouri Cath Union conv Springfield German / English 1908 MCCV 05.070 Program Missouri Cath Union conv Washington MO German / English 1909 MCCV 05.079 Program Missouri Catholic Union convention St Louis German 1910 MCCV 05.088 Program Missouri Catholic Union convention St Louis German 1911 MCCV 05.100 Program Missouri Catholic Union convention St Louis German 1917 MCCV 05.103 Program Missouri Catholic Union convention Kansas City 1924 MCCV 05.110 Program Missouri Catholic Union convention at St Louis 1942 MCCV 05.116 Program New Jersey Verein convention at Elizabeth German 1904 MCCV 05.121 Program New Jersey Verein convention New Brunswick. German 1913 MCCV 05.126 Program New Jersey Verein convention at West Hoboken 1916 MCCV 05.133 Program New Jersey Verein convention at West New York 1925 MCCV 05.136 Program New Jersey Verein convention at Trenton 1934 MCCV 05.140 Program New Jersey Verein convention at Newark 1945 MCCV 05.143 Program New York Verein convention at Buffalo German 1901 MCCV 05.147 Program New York Verein convention. Dansville German 1902 MCCV 05.153 Program New York Verein convention at Albany German 1903