British Jesuit Archives & Collections

About our archive

The archives (formerly known as Archivum Britannicum Societatis Iesu: ABSI) primarily hold records relating to the Jesuits in Britain. The British Jesuit Archives collection contains:

- papers relating to the administration of the British Province by the Provincial Curia as well as personal papers and correspondence of dead members of the Province.

- records of Jesuit communities, of Province works, and material relating to the overseas missionary work of the Province including South Africa and Guyana.

- a few deposited collections such as The Cause of the English and Welsh Martyrs; records relating to the Jesuit Chaplains at New Hall, Chelmsford donated by the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre and the Plater College (formerly Social Worker’s College) archives.

- a collection of antiquarian books consisting of works by members of the Province and those defined as being important for the post-Reformation history of Catholicism in Britain and/or the history and spirituality of the Society.  

Historically the archives have been catalogued using an index card system, and the Archives still relies on this as the main finding aid for the collections. At present, we are working to catalogue its collection more fully. The Archives are part of the Network of Archives & Libraries of the Catholic Church and as the material is catalogued it will be made available online through the Catholic Heritage project.

The British Jesuit Archives are a private archive and access is by appointment only and at the discretion of the Archivist. Researchers are asked to apply in writing to visit the Archives, providing details of their research topic. Staff are unable to undertake detailed research on behalf of enquirers other than in exceptional circumstances, in which case a fee will apply. Limited research enquiries can be carried out free of charge.