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The Bishop William Burt Collection is an excellent documentary on the life and work of a pioneer minister within the Methodist Episcopal Church. In this collection we see the pathos and commitment Burt and his family brought to the work of the church, especially in Europe. These records illuminate his varying roles as clergyperson, presiding elder, bishop, and family member. Well liked by most, Burt was an influential person within the denomination throughout his career.

Records from his wife, Helen, and daughter Edith are located here, as well. The collection shows the historical and sociological involvement Burt had with the life, events, and politics of Europe, the United States, and the rest of the world. This involvement covered society from its lowest common denominator all the way through and including the very top of the social ladder. Burt was a world traveler and the collection sheds light on Methodist Episcopal work around the globe. This is especially true in the correspondence, diaries, and photograph series. Besides reflecting Burt's ministry in Europe, there are significant records concerning his work in the United States. Other notable personalities are also included

Early missionaries to Europe, especially to Russia, have primary documents located here as well. Many of Italy's leading Methodists such as the Taglialatela family have both published and handwritten materials within the collection. Records by other bishops such as Vincent and Bast are interspersed throughout the first section. Another area which is documented is Burt's commitment to the ongoing work of the Jerusalem Home which was started by Bishop J. P. Newman. There is a sizeable amount of records pertaining to the Crandon Institute in Rome, as well.

The collection holds petitions and committee minutes from the various General Conferences for the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Uniting Conference of the Methodist Church (1939), and the United Methodist Church. The Methodist Episcopal series begins in 1800, with hand- written minutes and concludes with 1938. The United Methodist Church series begins with 1972. The material deals with all matters which came before the committees of the General Conference. Actions of the committees where passed onto the floor of the General Conference and if passed where incorporated into the Discipline. The minutes of the committee work usually does not include a transcript of their discussions, only their actions on the various petitions before them. The distinction between the petition original and copy is that the original was kept by the General Conference's administrative office, while the copy went to the committee. Late petitions arrived at the administrative offices after the filing deadline. To see actual floor debates or the reports of agencies or special commissions to the General Conference see the Journal of the General Conference and/or the Daily Christian Advocate.

The Evangelical United Brethren records begin with 1946 and end with 1966 The Church of the United Brethren in Christ records begin with 1901 and end at 1945. There is also a folder with some records for the 19th century. There are no records for the Evangelical Association.