Microfiches
On the occasion of the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco (1815–2015), the digital version was produced of the microfiches of some fonds of Salesian interest: Don Bosco, Don Rua, documents concerning Maria Domenica Mazzarello (process of beatification and canonisation) and the beginnings of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA).
The Central Salesian Archive offers the catalogue of the microfiching of the documents concerning Don Bosco and the beginnings of the Salesian Congregation. With this work it intends to give scholars direct access to the sources while at the same time ensuring the preservation of the originals. [In the 1980s] the microfiche method was preferred to microfilm because a microfiche is easier to consult, reproduce, preserve and send, while avoiding the deterioration of the material. Each fiche, measuring 105×148 mm, contains 60 frames. The patient and meticulous work was carried out by Fr Alfonso Torras (1927 Vigo, Pontevedra – 2011 Arévalo, Spain) with the care and affection of one who knows he holds “the birth certificates” of the Salesian Congregation and the incontrovertible proof of the historicity of the rich Salesian heritage set out in narrative form especially in the Biographical Memoirs (from the Presentation).
The microfiches are 4,813, for a total of 293,000 images of pages/documents turned into files.
The work is ongoing… permissions and links for some sectors are not yet released, for reasons of confidentiality.
Don Bosco fonds
INDEX OF THE MICROFICHES of the Don Bosco FONDS
from: ARCHIVIO SALESIANO CENTRALE, Fondo Don Bosco. Microschedatura e Descrizione, edited by A. Torras. ROME: Esse Gi Esse, 1980 [Direzione Generale Opere Don Bosco, Via della Pisana, non-commercial edition].
On the occasion of the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco (1815–2015) the digital version of the microfiches is available.
https://plus.archiviosalesiano.net/microschede/
Don Rua fonds
INDEX OF THE MICROFICHES of the Don Rua FONDS
from: ARCHIVIO SALESIANO CENTRALE, Fondo Don Rua con annessi Don Bosco (complementi) Maria Domenica Mazzarello. Microschede e Descrizione, edited by F. Maraccani. ROME, 1996 [Direzione Generale Opere Don Bosco, Via della Pisana, non-commercial edition].
This text — as a continuation of the text on the Don Bosco fonds in microfiches — contains the description of the microfiches reproducing the documents of the Central Salesian Archive relating to: some complements of the “DON BOSCO FONDS”; the whole “DON RUA FONDS”; documents concerning MARIA DOMENICA MAZZARELLO (process of beatification and canonisation) and the beginnings of the INSTITUTE OF THE DAUGHTERS OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS.
The microfiches described in this volume (from no. 2,323 to 4,812) are the continuation of those presented in 1980 with the volume entitled “Fondo Don Bosco”. The method adopted is the same as that of the “Don Bosco fonds”. The microfilm is identified by three elements, for example 2,323 A 1. This means: the number 2,323 is the number of the microfiche where the document was microfilmed; the letter A corresponds to the first row of the fiche (each fiche has five rows marked by the letters A, B, C, D, E); the following number 1 indicates the position of the document in the row (each row has 12 frames or positions). Any suspension points (…) indicate that other frames follow on the same subject. Then comes the description of the content of the microfilm. Clearly this is a summary description, only in order to identify the document in question. The work done, with the microfiching technique, represents a further stage — after that concerning the “Don Bosco fonds” — in the effort to preserve the documents of the Salesian Archive, as well as to disseminate and use them appropriately in the interested study centres. It is right to express heartfelt thanks to those who carried out the work, in particular to Fr Alfonso Torras, who was its main author, with such dedication and love, as he had already done for the “Don Bosco fonds”. The Central Salesian Archive believes the work may be useful, especially to those who wish to approach the sources of our history closely. Rome, 24 May 1996. Fr Francesco Maraccani, Secretary General.
On the occasion of the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco (1815–2015) the digital version of the microfiches is available.