Donating our family treasure to Boston College

A random trip to my attic turned out to be a life-changing event.  When I uncovered the old, leather box and read the emotional and gripping letters of my great, great grandfather Florence Burke, I knew I had to do something special with them—share their story, honor them. They are personal letters from a husband and father to his wife and children, and they offer a window into the past of an Irish immigrant family struggling to survive in their adopted country.

The letters changed the course of my life. I set off on a journey of research and writing which led me back to my roots, to Ireland, to the Virginia battlefields and finally closer to home in West Springfield, MA. I told their extraordinary story through my historical novel and included excerpts from all nineteen letters. The story was already told; I just compiled their life history into a book.

For the last year and a half, I have been touring around with the 19 original letters, tin photographs and antique leather box.  Historians, professors, curators and historical fiction readers have been amazed at seeing the 160-year-old primary sources. However, in the past few months I have noticed that they are beginning to fade and tear. Despite my careful handling of them I cannot deny that it’s time for them to get off the road and find a permanent home. I discussed the placement of the letter collection with my parents and after a long search for an appropriate residence, we are pleased to announce that they will find their final home at the John J. Burns library at Boston College. My sister Catherine is a graduate of this prestigious college and we want the letters to remain in Massachusetts—the place where the Burke’s chose their permanent home. Boston College will have the letters professionally preserved, archived and perhaps even exhibited. They will be digitized and accessible to Irish history lovers around the world.

Parting with the letters will be difficult, but I feel confident that my Irish ancestors would be honored to find themselves immortalized at one of the finest Irish Studies institutions in the country. Soon I will share the invitation from Boston College to the ceremony on January 31^st.  My family will join me (as I hope many of you will too) in presenting Florence Burke’s letters to Boston College. The evening will include a short presentation, an Irish song by BC grad Julie Zavrl and a reception in the Irish Room at the John J. Burns library.  All are welcome!!!