University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Betlinski, Joseph L., 1890- .

Papers, 1935-1971.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 68

.2 cubic ft. (1 small archives box)

ABSTRACT: Papers primarily composed of religious and political sermons and writings, of a Polish-born Milwaukee priest. Rev. Betlinski's collection also includes biographical information, with a one-page autobiographical journal; correspondence with national political figures concerning the Vietnam War; and correspondence, reports, newsclippings, and other materials regarding the Polish-American Information Service, the Polish Roman Catholic Union, the Polish Summer School, and Future Priests' Clubs. Rev. Betlinski served as chaplain and advisor to many Polish groups prior to his retirement. The majority of the collection is composed of his sermons, newspaper articles, term papers, and other texts, primarily in Polish, and dealing with philosophy and the classics, politics, communism, and Poland and the Poles.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The collection is composed primarily of Rev. Betlinski's writings, with additional biographical information, including a one-page autobiographical journal, papers illustrating his work with youth, and newsclippings. There is a folder of correspondence, mainly letters from national political figures to Fr. Betlinski, concerning his views on the Vietnam War and the Milwaukee police force; and folders of reports, correspondence, newsclippings, and other papers regarding the Polish-American Information Service, the Polish Roman Catholic Union, the Polish Summer School, the Polish Council of the Northeast Side, and Future Priests' Clubs. All of these materials were written or collected by Rev. Betlinski as an officer or advisor of these organizations. The majority of the collection is composed of Rev. Betlinski's sermons, term papers, newspaper articles, and texts, primarily in Polish and dating from the 1930s. The topics of these writings fall into two broad categories, religious and political; included in the latter category are Betlinski's views on politics, the Vietnam War, communism, and Poland and the poles. There is also one folder of English-language term papers, on such subjects as education, justice, and Plato's Republic, the life and ideas of Rene Descartes, St. Thomas Aquinas, and George Berkley.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Joseph L. Betlinski was born 23 November 1890 in the county of Skierki, Poland. He was raised in the parish of Prasnyszu, Poland until his father's death scattered the family when Joseph was twelve. Betlinski came to the United States at age twenty, and later served in the Army during World War I. Following the war, he attended Holy Trinity High School in Chicago, a Franciscan seminary in Wisconsin, and Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan. Betlinski was ordained a priest on 10 June 1933. He served in various Polish parishes throughout Wisconsin prior to his retirement, including St. Michael's in Beaver Dam and St. Casimir's and St. Barbara's in Milwaukee. In addition, Rev. Betlinski actively worked with youth groups and Polish organizations. He served as chaplain for Polish veterans' groups and chapters of the Polish Roman Catholic Union organized and advised troops of Polish Boy Scouts and Future Priests' Clubs, and was active in the Polish Book Club and Polish-American Information Service. Fr. Betlinski also supported the Republican Party and its candidates, and corresponded with politicians, and wrote and published articles an sermons on political subjects. Among his favorite topics were the plight of Poland and the dangers of communism.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Betlinski, Joseph L., 1890- . Papers, 1935-1971. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 68. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTIONS:

American-Polish Information Service (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records [microform], 1939-1947. (Milwaukee Micro Collection 22)

Polish Roman Catholic Union of America. Records, 1911-1980. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 62)

ACQUISITION: Presented by Rev. Joseph L. Betlinski of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1981 (accession number M81-420).

PROCESSING: Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt and Mark Thiel in March 1982.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

American-Polish Information Service.
Catholic Church--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--Clergy.
Future Priests' Club (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Polish Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--History.
Polish Roman Catholic Union of America.
Polish Summer School.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Public opinion--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 68	BOX	FOLDER
Biographical Information, 1949, 1972, 1980, undated	1	1
Correspondence, 1966-1971	1	2
Cub Scouts, undated	1	3
Future Priests' Clubs, 1958-1966, undated	1	3
Miscellaneous, 1966-1973, undated	1	4
Newsclippings, 1936-1943, undated	1	5
Polish-American Information Service and Allied Groups, 1943-1949	1	6
Polish Roman Catholic Union, 1936-1970	1	7
Polish Summer School, 1965-1969	1	8
Political Writings and Sermons, 1935-1971, undated	1	9
Sermons, Polish, undated	1	10
Writings, English, undated	1	11
Writings, Polish, undated	1	12