The James H. Dolan, SJ papers contain a journal, correspondence, legal and religious documents, clippings, ephemera, and photographs documenting his religious and personal life. The materials primarily relate to Dolan's life as a Jesuit. Of note are a journal of poetry containing some original compositions, assembled by Dolan while teaching at Georgetown University, and photographs reflecting life at Boston College in the late 1920s. In addition, there are preliminary building planning project documents for three Jesuit institutions.

Contains short textual descriptions of new buildings for three Jesuit institutions, along with suggestions for changes.

Incoming correspondence as well as Christmas and Easter cards.

Contains clippings, religious ephemera, materials from a trip to Italy, and cards from Dolan's personal address file.

This series contains documents and correspondence related to three estates administered by Dolan: Ellen and James B. Dolan (his parents); Lucy G. Moran (his cousin); and Margaret Merillion (not a relation). In addition, there are a few vital documents: Dolan's birth certificate, the photograph page from two of his passports, and his brother Thomas Dolan's death certificate.

Photographs of events at Boston College, Dolan's family, fellow Jesuits, and trips to Palestine and Rome.

This series contains materials related to Dolan's life as a Jesuit, including items related to his ordination, final vows, and 60th anniversary jubilee. It also includes a certificate signed by Jesuit General Wlodimir Ledochowski giving Dolan authority to say Mass outside the New England Jesuit Province and a diploma from Gregorian University.