Name/Title
Henchy FamilyEntry/Object ID
MSS-02-010Scope and Content
The Henchy Family papers consist of 4 boxes and 349 folders, which include the Henchy family’s letters to and from various friends, family, and teachers; John Henchy’s letters to and from his family during World War II; letters from John’s fellow soldiers, letters from his mother, Mrs. Mary Henchy and his sister, Eileen Henchy to and from U.S. and foreign officials in Washington D.C., magazines, calendars, target practice papers, essays, scrap papers, newspaper clippings, telegrams, University of Notre Dame bulletins, pamphlets, Alumni fund checks, and a leather-bound book certifying John Henchy’s membership of the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association.Context
John Francis Henchy was born in 1924 to Edward and Mary Henchy. A lifelong resident of Taunton, John Henchy lived at 182 Whittenton Street and graduated from Coyle High School. After graduating, he studied at the University of Notre Dame until February 24, 1943 when he decided to join the service during the Second World War. In the service, he traveled with the Signal Corps and served for two years in China. On October 1, 1945, he wrote to his family that he was finally coming home, but he never returned from China. His family began frantically and persistently writing letters to many high ranking U.S. and foreign officials, but to no avail. John Henchy was pronounced dead on August 11, 1947.Archive Details
Archive Size/Extent
Box 1 -- April 17 1939 - April 15 1968
Letters to and from the Henchy family and various friends, relatives, teachers, and schools and letters to and from John Henchy and the Henchy family while he was serving
Box 2 --July 9 1940 – October 18 1946
Letters, envelopes, target practices, magazines, and calendars to and from the Henchy family and John during his time in the war.
Box 3 – March 8 1945 – November 10 1948
Letters and envelopes to and from Mrs. Mary Henchy and Eileen Henchy and U.S. and foreign officials, friends, family, and John’s fellow soldiers with whom he served.
Box 4 --December 29 1937 –December 5 1974
Miscellaneous envelopes, letters, certificates, checks, luggage tags, essays, magazines, receipts, brochures and pamphlets before and after John Henchy’s time in the war.
