The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Archives Office is established in accordance with Canon 482 of the Code of Canon Law, which charges the chancellor with responsibility for the archives. The archivist reports to the chancellor and serves as the caretaker of the archives.

The purpose of the Archives Office is to promote an understanding of the history and activities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee as reflected in the records and artifacts of the archdiocese and related entities.

Staff members acquire, preserve, organize, and make available for research the permanently valuable records and artifacts of the archdiocese and the related records and artifacts that reflect the work of the Church, its people and institutions.

The Archives Office staff has the primary responsibility of the timely preservation of the official records of the archdiocese that are of sufficient historical, administrative and/or legal value to require indefinite retention. The staff organizes and arranges, both physically and intellectually, the records in its custody.

Preservation: The archives has primary responsibility in the archdiocese for the timely preservation of the official records of the archdiocese that are of sufficient historical, administrative and/or legal value to require indefinite retention.

Organization: The Archives bears the responsibility of organizing and arranging, both physically and intellectually, the records in its custody. It also is charged with describing these records to prospective researchers through the use of appropriate descriptive tools.

Use of Records: The Archives has the responsibility to encourage the use of its records by researchers. Records are preserved in order to be used for future research.