American Union Polish Brotherhood of St. Joseph Records, 1901-1966
- Repository
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Title
- American Union Polish Brotherhood of St. Joseph Records
- Creator
- American Union Polish Brotherhood of St. Joseph
- Collection Number
- AIS.1971.17
- Extent
- 3.42 Linear Feet (1 Document Case, 2 Oversized Cases)
- Date
- 1901-1966
- Abstract
- The American Union Polish Brotherhood of St. Joseph was a Polish fraternal benefit society, established in Pittsburgh in 1890, with local chapters located across Western Pennsylvania. This collection contains minute books, financial records, anniversary programs, and convention materials.
- Language
- Polish , English .
- Publisher
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Address
- University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Caroline E. Berry on May 10, 2022
Acquisition Information
Gift of Mrs. C. Pilatowski and Mrs. Mary Graliski on December 22, 1971.
Biographical / Historical
The American Union Polish Brotherhood of St. Joseph was a fraternal benefit society, founded in 1890 in Pittsburgh, with the purpose of strengthening the Polish community through aid, moral encouragement, and material benefits. The organization was initially started as a form of life insurance, where spouses and orphans could receive a death benefit upon the death of the family breadwinner. Over time, the organization added social components to their activities, but the American Union Polish Brotherhood of St. Joseph never discontinued its original life insurance benefits. The official language of the group was Polish, which all records were to be written. Additionally, all members were required to be Roman Catholics of Polish or Slovak origin, or Roman Catholics of Lithuanian, Armenian, or Greek origin, with extensive knowledge of the Polish language. Also, membership to the organization was possible through marriage to an individual belonging to any of these ethnic groups. Initially the fraternal organization was exclusively for men, but the group later expanded to include a women's divisions, juvenile divisions, and a boy scout-style club for boys aged sixteen and under, called, "the cadets." Individual chapters (usually called "groups") of the union were located throughout Western Pennsylvania and operated their own events, meetings, elections, etc. Once every four years, or by special request of the home office's convention board, delegates from these respective chapters and the home office met for a convention to discuss financial decisions, and to elect officers to the supreme board.
The organization operated as the American Union Polish Brotherhood of St. Joseph until 1967, when it merged with the Alliance of Poles in America, which later became the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America in 2005.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged alphabetically by folder or volume title.
Scope and Contents
The records of the American Union Polish Brotherhood of St. Joseph reflect the administration and social activities of the organization in Western Pennsylvania. The organization's Pittsburgh headquarters is referred to as the "home office" and their executive governing body is referred to as the "supreme board," whose original names are both retained within the finding aid. Included are a constitution and anniversary booklets from the home office, as well as programs and proceedings from the organization's conventions, which took place every four years. Also present are the supreme board's meeting minutes books, which contain information on finances, due payments, officer elections, as well as organizational initiatives and activities. Additionally, anniversary booklets and a financial record book from the organization's individual chapters throughout western Pennsylvania are included. Most documents are in Polish, with some in English.
Groups or Chapters represented in the collection include:
Group 6, St. Adalbert Society, Braddock, Pa.
Group 17, St. Stanislaus Society, Mammoth, Pa.
Group 19, St. Casimir Society, New Kensington, Pa.
Group 43, Society of Our Lady of Consolation, Wilmerding, Pa.
Group 47, St. Hedwig Society, Ambridge, Pa.
Group 54, Society of St. Anna, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Group 55, St. Edward Society, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Group 56, Society of St. Teresa, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Group 65, St. Ann's Society, Rankin, Pa.
Preferred Citation
American Union Polish Brotherhood of St. Joseph Records, 1901-1966, AIS.1971.17, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Subjects
- American Union Polish Brotherhood of St. Joseph -- History
- Minutes (Administrative records)
- Souvenir programs
- Proceedings (Reports)
- Administrative records
- Financial records
- Polish American fraternal organizations -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Polish Americans -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- Societies, etc.
- Polish American Catholics -- Societies, etc.