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Lost Woman of San Nicolas Island Collected Manuscripts
MS.770
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Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: The Lost Woman of San Nicolas Island Collected Manuscripts
Creator:
Murray, E. F.
Creator:
Sheridan, Edwin M.
Creator:
Hodge, Frederick Webb
Creator:
Woodward, Arthur
Identifier/Call Number: MS.770
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear Feet
(1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 1937
Abstract: This collection includes a letter from Arthur Woodward to Southwest Museum director Frederick Webb Hodge and copies of typed
manuscripts collected by Woodward regarding the "Lost Woman" of San Nicolas Island. The manuscripts include a transcript of
interviews with George Nidever and Charles Brown circa 1882, Nidever's account as recorded by E. F. Murray in 1878, and an
undated manuscript by E. M. Sheridan.
Language of Material:
English
.
This collection includes a letter from Arthur Woodward to Southwest Museum director Frederick Webb Hodge and copies of typed
manuscripts collected by Woodward regarding the "Lost Woman" of San Nicolas Island. The manuscripts include a transcript of
interviews with George Nidever and Charles Brown circa 1882, Nidever's account as recorded by E. F. Murray in 1878, and an
undated manuscript by E. M. Sheridan.
The Lost Woman of San Nicolas Island Collected Manuscripts, 1937, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.770.
Processed by Library staff before 1981. Finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Processing Archivist, 2012 December
5, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commissions (NHPRC).
Donated by Arthur Woodward, 1937 June 9.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit
https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.
Juana Maria (died 1853 October 18), better known to history as the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island (her birth name is unknown),
was a Native American woman who was the last surviving member of her tribe, the Nicoleño. She lived alone on San Nicolas Island
from 1835 until her discovery in 1853.
In the fall of 1853, Carl Dittman discovered human footprints on the beach and pieces of seal blubber which had been left
out to dry. Further investigation led to the discovery of Juana Maria, who was living on the island in a crude hut partially
constructed of whale bones. Juana Maria was taken to the Santa Barbara Mission, but was unable to communicate with anyone.
The local Chumash Indians could not understand her, so the mission sent for a group of Tongva or Gabrieleño who had formerly
lived on Santa Catalina Island, but they were unsuccessful as well. Four words and two songs recorded from Juana Maria suggest
she spoke one of the Uto-Aztecan languages native to Southern California, but it is not clear to which branch it is related.
Juana Maria was reportedly fascinated and ecstatic upon arrival, marveling at the sight of horses, along with European clothing
and food. Just seven weeks after arriving on the mainland, Juana Maria died. Modern analysis suggests she contracted dysentery.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juana_Maria
Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island Collection, 1899-1950, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.661; [folder number] [folder
title][date].
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Nicolas Island (Calif.) -- History
Typescripts
Correspondence
Transcripts
Nicoleño Indians
Channel Islands (Calif.)
Brown, Charles
Nidever, George
Juana Marie