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Union and League of Romanian Societies in America, Inc. records

 Collection
Identifier: IHRC2745

Abstract

Records (1900-1958) of the Union and League of Romanian Societies in America, Inc. include correspondence of the Cleveland, Ohio, headquarters; minutes and financial books of various branches throughout the United States; and membership registers.

The records consist of correspondence between the headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, and various branches across North America; minutes and officer reports of both executive committee meetings and national conventions; account books; financial papers concerning dues and costs for membership fees, insurance benefits, and tax payments; and membership registers. Of particular interest are the minutes of the national conventions, which contain detailed yearly budget reports, auditor’s remarks, and summaries of committee agendas. These convention reports reflect the societies’ financial and social hardships in promoting their mission statement to protect Romanian-American interests.

Dates

  • 1900-1958

Creator

Language of Materials

Mainly in Romanian; a few items in English

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS

Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.

OWNERSHIP & LITERARY RIGHTS

This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.

For further information regarding the copyright, please contact the IHRCA.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The Union and League was established as the result of a merger of two early Romanian American fraternal societies. In 1906 the "Vulturul" (Homestead, Pennsylvania), and the "Carpatina" (Cleveland, Ohio) were united under the Consolidation Act of the Union of the Romanian Beneficial and Cultural societies. Initial resistance, especially by the League of Romanian Beneficial and Cultural Societies was overcome, and the organizations merged under the present name in 1928. These organizations played an important part in development of Romanian American churches, parochial schools, and press. In the 1990s and early 2000s, two key events took place that incited tension amongst the various branches and led to the dissolution of several societies. In 1997, Jack Moga, acting on behalf of the Union and League, sued three officers of the ‘Carpatina’ branch, specifically Alex, Suba, Mabel Barsan and John Coman. In 2002, Cristian Calugarita, the president of ‘Viitorul Roman’ sued the remaining members of the branch’s executive committee over false membership documentation. In that same year, Georgeta Washington, the national president of the Union and League, excommunicated the branch. These litigations, coupled with conflicts over tax claim reports, splintered relationships amongst various branches and tested the Union and League’s economic standing.

Extent

30 Linear Feet

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Oana Capatina in 2017.

Title
Inventory of the Union and League of Romanian Societies in America, Inc. records.
Author
IHRC Archives
Date
2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding Aid in English

Collecting Area Details

Contact The Immigration History Research Center Archives Collecting Area

Contact:

612-625-4800