Name: Betsy Johnson
Archival Organization: Mercy Archives, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
What is your favorite part of being an archivist?
I have two favorite parts of being an archivist. The first is that I learn something new every day. Some days, it might be something lighthearted, like learning about the dairy herd at the Sisters of Mercy Generalate in the 1940s, and some days, it might be something more serious, like what exactly a “public juridic person” is—but it is all interesting. The second is that our team helps researchers learn! Whether it’s a genealogy revelation, a researcher finding support for their thesis, or a staff member discovering the possibilities of the archives, it’s inspiring to see others learn!
What is the most unique project you have worked on so far?
My favorite project at Mercy Archives (so far) was processing Sister Mary Sullivan’s papers. As a prominent scholar of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, Sullivan’s papers contained years of research, writing, talks, and projects.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
Many years ago, as a graduate student in public history, I completed a practicum where I cleaned the statues in James K. Polk’s garden with a toothbrush. We really never know where this job will take us!
What are the myths about this line of work you would like to bust?
My least favorite archives myth is that the archives are a closed, inaccessible place. While we do have policies protecting private and personal information, archives are designed to be used! We want people to come to the archives to learn about the sisters’ histories and share the story of Mercy with the world.
Do you have a piece of advice for someone looking to become an archivist?
My advice to someone who is interested in archives would be to get as much hands-on experience as you possibly can! Try out the work in an internship or volunteer capacity if you are able. Then go and get the education! A good graduate program can help you learn the theory—and require you to do more hands-on work to try out all that theory!
Article submitted by Sr. Virginia Jung, OSB, Archivist, St. Scholastica Monastery | Benedictine Sisters of Chicago