When a sister dies or leaves the community her records are gathered from the various offices where they are kept and a dossier is compiled. In the archives these dossiers are arranged alphabetically by family and baptismal names. All dossiers generally include:

(a) Record of Sisters Card. This 5 1/2" X7" card gives the relevant biographical data of the sister. On the recto are listed baptismal and family name, sisters (religious) name, the existence of a baptismal certificate, date and place of birth, dates of entrance, investiture (reception), profession and perpetual vows, apostolate (nurse, teacher or domestic), amount of dowry, date and place of death (or date of departure for women who have left the order), cause of death, and date and place of burial. On the verso are listed parents' names and place of birth, whether they are living or deceased and/or their present address, and the institutions where the sister was assigned along with the dates of assignment. There is a separate column for assignments as a sister superior. Annotations on the card may provide other information, such as the sister's assigned ID number, the place from which she entered the community, other financial facts such as an inheritance, social security number, etc. If the sister celebrated her golden jubilee in the community, this fact is also noted on the card. After c. 1960 all information was written on the front of a single 7" X 11" card which was then folded in half. In recent years the card has been replaced by a computer generated printout of the Provincial Sister File.

(b) Documents required at entrance. These include a copy of the sister's baptismal and confirmation certificates, a recommendation from the parish priest, certification of health from a medical doctor and a dentist. A birth certificate is sometimes included. At some point an application form for entry into the community came into use.

(c) Documents required of the sister at investiture and vows. These include an Agreement on remuneration, a Cessation of Use and Usefruct declaration, and a Last Will and Testament. There are also frequently letters to the Provincial requesting permission to take vows.

(d) Personal papers of the sister, including immigration and naturalization papers, passports, academic records, nursing and other licenses and certificates, personal momentos and artifacts such as saints' relics, photographs, and correspondence. Dossiers of sisters who have died in the community also generally include Medical Records, Death Certificate, Burial - Removal Permit, Memorial Card from Funeral, a copy of the eulogy. Dossiers of Postulants, Novices and Professed Sisters who left the community also generally include:

(e) Documents related to departure. These include letters of request, correspondence between the Provincial and the Bishop of Fort Wayne - South Bend, Indults of Exclaustration and Secularization where applicable, a declaration signed by the sister and witnesses that her departure is voluntary, a document signed by the Provincial and witness affirming the sister's voluntary departure.

(f) Statements of Account. These list the expenses for education, insurance, etc., for which the sister must repay the community.

(g) Sometimes correspondence from the sister after her departure from the community.