Sister Ellen Murphy Papers, 1904-2002

Sister Ellen Murphy Papers

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Collection Overview

Title: Sister Ellen Murphy Papers, 1904-2002

ID: OGLMC512

Primary Creator: Murphy, Ellen (1916-2004)

Extent: 16.5 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 06/19/1979. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Literary - Poetry, Religion - Catholic Church, Women's History

Languages: English

Abstract

Contains the personal correspondence, diaries, and other materials pertaining to Sister Ellen Murphy, a Catholic nun and educator.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Sister Ellen Murphy Papers have been divided into six series:

Series 1: Diaries, 1931-1934 and 1962-1998

Series 2: Publications, 1934-1997

Series 3: Correspondence, 1930-2002

Series 4: Personal Materials

Series 5: Murphy Family Records

Series 6: Photographs

Collection Historical Note

Ellen Murphy was born February 16, 1916, at the family homestead near Niagara, North Dakota, in Agnes Township, Grand Forks County. She was the second child of Charles J. and Helen Normand Murphy. She began her education at Dominican Convent School in Grafton, North Dakota, in September 1922. Ellen attended various schools and graduated from eighth grade in May 1930 from a one-room schoolhouse in District 102 of Agnes Township. In June 1934, she received her high school diploma from St. James Academy in Grand Forks.

A few months later, Ellen entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Paul, Minnesota. As a candidate for the Sisterhood, she attended the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul and received her religious vows on March 19, 1937, at St. Joseph's Novitiate, also in St. Paul. Sister Ellen attended several colleges and universities including the University of Notre Dame, the University of North Dakota and DePaul University. Her primary fields of study were elementary education, religion and literature. Sister Ellen contributed to these fields by writing educational articles, poetry, and short stories, many of which have been published. She taught at several schools, including St. Michael's Catholic School in Grand Forks, as well as teaching catechism in Thompson, North Dakota.

She died April 16, 2004, at Bethany Convent, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Subject/Index Terms

Literary - Poetry
Religion - Catholic Church
Women's History

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Accruals:

Sister Ellen Murphy donated additional material on December 29, 1993 (93-1932), in May 1995 (95-2001), in August 1996 (96-2085 and 96-2086), and on November 4, 1997 (98-2215).

Additional material was also donated by Father Robert Mullins, UND, on January 27, 1982 (82-956) and December 20, 1982 (82-1051), as well as by Sister Mary Louise Matt, St. Cloud, Minnesota, on June 23, 2004 (2004-2678).

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: Sister Ellen Murphy

Acquisition Method: Donation; 78-548

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Sister Ellen Murphy Papers. OGLMC 512, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in October 2015.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Diaries, 1931-1934 and 1962-1998],
[Series 2: Publications, 1934-1997],
[Series 3: Correspondence, 1930-2002],
[Series 4: Personal Materials],
[Series 5: Murphy Family Records],
[Series 6: Photographs],
[All]

Series 3: Correspondence, 1930-2002

The third series consists of correspondence, both business communications with editors, and personal correspondence with other Catholic sisters and priests, and with her parents and other family members.

Box 4

Folder 1: Correspondence--America Editors 1942-1978.
Folder 2: Correspondence--Commonweal Editors 1958-1979.
Folder 3: Correspondence--Sign Editors 1941-1958.
Folder 4: Correspondence--Today Editors 1949-1952.
Folder 5: Correspondence--Editors': Miscellaneous 1942-1976.
Folder 6: Correspondence--regarding "Passage a la Poe."
Folder 7: Correspondence--regarding Body of Time.
Folder 8: Correspondence--Walter Mondale, Hubert Humphrey, and Minnesota State Senator Ronald B. Sieloff.
Folder 9: Correspondence--Minnesota State Representative Richard Cohen.
Folder 10: Correspondence--The Bush Foundation.
Folder 11: Correspondence--Raymond Bechtle.
Folder 12: Correspondence--Sister Angele
Folder 13: Correspondence--Sister Michele Murphy.
Folder 15: Correspondence--David Kirk.
Folder 16: Correspondence--Students 1971-1978.: Leeselson Bellfield, Vida M. Essien, Azadeh Ekremeh, Noriko Sera
Folder 17: Correspondence--Sister Alice (Sister Maris Stella).
Folder 18: Correspondence--Sarah(Sally) Peirson.
Folder 19: Correspondence--Sister Mary Henry 1970-1971.
Folder 20: Correspondence--Sister Marie Shawn.
Folder 21: Correspondence--Sister Mary Ann Hanley.
Folder 22: Correspondence--Brother Casey, C.F.X. 1975-1976.
Folder 23: Correspondence--Catherine Lupori.
Folder 24: Correspondence--Nancy Belbas.
Folder 25: Correspondence--(Rev.) Chester A. Soleta, C.S.C. 1955-1965.
Folder 26: Correspondence--William and Adelaede Abraham 1970-1975.
Folder 27: Correspondence--St. Ann's Indian Mission.
Folder 28: College of St. Catherine Annual Evaluations and Recommendations 1973-1979.
Folder 29: Lab School 1973-1977.
Folder 30: Correspondence--Miscellaneous.
Folder 31: "Fan Mail" Albert Eisele and Thomas D. Coyne.
Folder 32: Correspondence--Sister M. Rosalie, C.S.J. 1952-1978.
Folder 33: Correspondence--Sister Magdalen 1959-1978.
Folder 34: Correspondence--Ann Tvedten.
Folder 35: Correspondence--Flannery O'Connor, Mrs. Edward F. O'Connor, James Dickey.
Folder 36: Correspondence--(Rev.) Robert J. Mullins 1961-1965.
Folder 37: Correspondence--(Rev.) Robert J. Mullins 1966-1969.
Folder 38: Correspondence--(Rev.) Robert J. Mullins 1970-1979 and Miscellaneous.
Folder 39: Correspondence--(Rev.) Robert J. Mullins (including poems) 1961-1969.
Folder 40: Correspondence--(Rev.) Robert J. Mullins (including poems) 1970-1978.
Folder 41: Correspondence--William A. O'Connell 1969-1978
Folder 42: Correspondence--Herbert and Lois Slusser.
Folder 43: Correspondence--Mary E. and Charles J. McNeill.
Folder 44: Correspondence--Mary E. and Charles J. McNeill.
Folder 45: Correspondence--Greg and Alice Marquez.
Folder 46: Correspondence--Brother Thomas More (Richard Schoeck).

Box 5

Folder 1: Correspondence--Jim, Jerry and Robin.
Folder 2: Correspondence--Tim.
Folder 3: Correspondence--Mr. Francis J. Majors (Brother-in-law) 1974-1976.
Folder 4: Correspondence--Colleen (Mrs. Francis J. Majors).
Folder 5: Correspondence--her Father (Charles J. Murphy) 1957.
Folder 6: Correspondence--her Mother (Mrs. Charles J. Murphy) 1968-1971.
Folder 7: Correspondence--her Mother (Mrs. Charles J. Murphy) 1972-1973.
Folder 8: Correspondence--John, Sandra, and Nora Murphy.
Folder 9: Correspondence--Lucille and Arnie, Sister and Brother-in-law.
Folder 10: Photographs May 18, 1979
Folder 11: Correspondence--Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1930-1936.
Folder 12: Correspondence--Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1937-1939.
Folder 13: Correspondence--Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1940-1942.
Folder 14: Correspondence--Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1943-1945
Folder 15: Correspondence--Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1946-1947.
Folder 16: Correspondence--Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1948-1949.
Folder 17: Correspondence--Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1950-1952.
Folder 18: Correspondence--Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1953-1955
Folder 19: Correspondence--Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1956-1957.
Folder 20: Correspondence--Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1958-1959.
Folder 21: Correspondence--Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1960-1965.
Folder 22: Correspondence--Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1966-1967.
Folder 23: Correspondence--Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1968-1969.
Folder 24: Correspondence--Mrs. Charles J. Murphy 1970-1973.

Box 6

Folder 1: Correspondence--Fr. Robert J. Mullins 1972 and 1978.
Folder 2: Correspondence--Fr. Robert J. Mullins 1979.
Folder 3: Correspondence--Fr. Robert J. Mullins 1980.
Folder 4: Correspondence--Fr. Robert J. Mullins 1981.
Folder 5: Correspondence--Fr. Robert J. Mullins 1982.
Folder 6: Correspondence--Miscellaneous.
Folder 7: Correspondence--cards and postcards 1966-1979.
Folder 8: Correspondence--cards and postcards 1980-1982.
Folder 12: From Father Robert Mullins: 1979-1991
Folder 13: From Sister Margaret Mary: 1991-1993
Folder 14: From Sister Mary Louise Matt: 1991-1993
Folder 15: From Charles and Mary McNeill: 1991-1993
Folder 16: From Lucille Swenson: 1992-1993
Folder 17: From Monsignor William McNamee: 1993
Folder 18: From Patrick Kennedy: 1993
Folder 19: From Miscellaneous: 1983-1993
Folder 20: Sister Ellen to Sister Rosalie: 1972-1985
Folder 21: Sister Ellen to Sister Mona: 1976-1986
Folder 22: Sister Ellen to other sisters: 1972-1990
Folder 23: Sister Ellen to Lois Slusser: 1978-1989

Box 7

Folder 6: Letters about publishing an article written by Sister Ellen: 1985
Folder 7: Correspondence concerning Sister Ellen's poetry publishing: 1983, 1984, 1991
Folder 8: Letters and cards about Sister Ellen's poetry: 1976-1991
Folder 9: Correspondence regarding St. James Academy all school reunion June 3-5, 1988
Folder 10: From William Abraham and family: 1979, 1980, 1989-1991
Folder 11: From Fr. Bob Barry: 1994
Folder 12: From Alice Marks: 1990-1991
Folder 13: Sister Ellen to Mary and Charlie McNeill: 1968-1969
Folder 14: Sister Ellen to Mary and Charlie McNeill: 1970-1979
Folder 15: Sister Ellen to Mary and Charlie McNeill: 1980-1982, 1985, 1987, 1989
Folder 16: Sister Ellen to Mary and Charlie McNeill: 1994
Folder 17: Sister Ellen to Mary and Charlie McNeill: undated
Folder 18: Sister Ellen to Mary McNeill: 1973, 1981-1982
Folder 19: From Mary McNeill: 1992, undated
Folder 20: From Charlie McNeill after Mary's death: 1994-1995
Folder 21: From Sharon (McNeill) McGlymm: 1994-1995
Folder 22: From Jeremiah Murphy: 1980, 1995
Folder 23: Correspondence to and from Jim & Robin Murphy: 1984, 1989-1990, undated
Folder 24: Thanks yous to Sister Ellen: 1980, 1987-1991, undated
Folder 25: Miscellaneous thank yous
Folder 26: Miscellaneous Correspondence: 1968, 1980, 1985, 1987-1988, 1990-1991, 1995, undated
Folder 27: Poetry by Maxine: undated

Box 10

Folder 35: From William Abraham & family: 1995, undated
Folder 36: From Michael Alm
Folder 37: From Sheila Alm: 1994, undated
Folder 38: From Evelyn Burnett: 1991, 1994-1996
Folder 39: From Sister's Canadian Cousins: 1991, 1993-1995, undated
Folder 40: From Kathleen Donahue: 1992
Folder 41: Graduation Announcements of great nieces and nephews: 1995
Folder 42: From Margaret S. Griess: 2/1994-7/1995
Folder 43: From Sister Immaculata: 1994, undated
Folder 44: From Saint Joseph's HOPE community: 1995
Folder 45: From Daniel J. Kirwan: 1983, undated
Folder 46: From Jerry LeMay: undated
Folder 47: From Sister Margaret Mary: 1993-1994, undated
Folder 48: From Sister Mary Matt: 1991, 1994-1996, undated
Folder 49: From Maxine: undated
Folder 50: From Monsignor William McNamee: 1982, 1987-1991, 1993-1995, undated
Folder 51: From Mary and Charlie McNeill: 1988, 1991, 1993-1996, undated
Folder 52: From Sister Ellen to Mary McNeill: 1969-1970, 1976, 1980, 1990
Folder 53: From Father Robert Mullins Correspondence: 1980, 1995, undated
Folder 54: From Helen Murphy: 1990, 1995-1996, undated
Folder 55: From Jake Murphy (nephew)
Folder 56: From Jim and Robin Murphy: 1995, undated
Folder 57: From Sandra Murphy: 1995, 1996, undated
Folder 58: From Sister Ellen's nieces: 1987, 1993, 1995, undated
Folder 59: From William O'Connell: 1979-1982

Box 11

Folder 1: From Jim O'Leary to Sister Ellen: 1980, 1987-1989
Folder 2: From Jim O'Leary: 1994-1995
Folder 3: To and from Sister Rosalie: 1995-1996, undated
Folder 4: From John Slusser
Folder 5: From Michael Slusser: 5/1994-6/1995
Folder 6: From Richard & Joyce Slusser: 1994-1996, undated
Folder 7: To & from Lucille Swenson: 1980, 1982, undated
Folder 8: From Sarah Vogel: 1995
Folder 9: From Miscellaneous Correspondence: 1980-1995
Folder 10: From Miscellaneous Correspondence: 1996, undated
Folder 11: Miscellaneous correspondence to & from Sister Ellen: 1990
Folder 84: Correspondence from family: 1995, 1996, undated
Folder 85: Correspondence from friends: 1966, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1980s
Folder 86: Correspondence from friends: 1996, undated
Folder 87: Correspondence to and from James O'Leary
Folder 88: Poems and card from Sarah Peirson
Folder 89: Correspondence about Sister Ellen's Poetry from family and friends: 1984, 1986, 1989-1996, undated
Folder 90: Correspondence from Sister Ellen: 1984, 1990, undated
Folder 91: Sympathy cards and letters after Charles N. (Tim) Murphy's death: 1996
Folder 92: Correspondence written to Mary about Sister Ellen's leave from Sister Alice: 1973
Folder 93: Postcard of Orr, North Dakota Main Street with correspondence from her mother, Helen Murphy: 1992
Folder 94: Letter to Sister Ellen and eulogy of Sister Alissa Marie Scanlan: 1990

Box 12

Folder 21: Correspondence: 1965, 1989, 1993-1996, undated

Box 13

Folder 8: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1963, 1967-1969, 1978-1979
Folder 9: To Father Robert J. Mullins: February 1980, January & February 1981, 1982
Folder 10: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1983
Folder 11: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1984
Folder 12: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1985
Folder 13: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1986
Folder 14: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1987
Folder 15: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1988
Folder 16: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1989
Folder 17: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1990
Folder 18: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1991
Folder 19: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1992
Folder 20: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1993
Folder 21: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1994

Box 14

Folder 1: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1995
Folder 2: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1996
Folder 3: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1997
Folder 4: To Father Robert J. Mullins: 1998 & 1999
Folder 5: To Father Robert J. Mullins: undated
Folder 6: To and From Sr. Mary Louise Matt: 1992-1996
Folder 7: To and From Sr. Mary Louise Matt: 1997, 1999, 2002, undated
Folder 8: To and From family members: 1965, 1973, 1984, 1998
Folder 9: About Sr. Ellen's poetry: 1980-1981, 1985, 1991, 1993
Folder 10: Work related correspondence: 1983-1984
Folder 11: Miscellaneous correspondence: 1987, 1992, 1997, undated

Department of Special Collections
Digital Finding Aids