Collection Guide
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Inventory of the American National Red Cross records
XX482
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Table of contents
Title: American National Red Cross records
Dates: 1906-1995
Bulk Dates: 1917-1922
Collection number: XX482
Creator:
American National Red Cross
Collection Size:
219 manuscript boxes, 1 card file box, 4 oversize boxes, and 2 video tapes
(95.5 linear feet)
Repository:
Hoover Institution Archives
Stanford, California 94305-6010
Abstract: Correspondence, memoranda, reports, financial records, lists, and photographs, relating to relief work in Europe and the Middle
East, Russia and China during and immediately after World War I. Also available on microfilm (339 reels).
Physical location: Hoover Institution Archives
Languages:
The collection is in English, French, Chinese, Czech, German, Hebrew, Italian, Polish, Russian and other languages of countries where the American Red Cross operated
Microfilm use only.
The Hoover Institution Archives only allows access to
copies of audiovisual items. To listen to sound recordings or to view videos or films during your visit, please contact the Archives
at least two working days before your arrival. We will then advise you of the accessibility of the material you wish to see
or hear. Please note that not all audiovisual material is immediately accessible.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Archives
[Identification of item], American National Red Cross records, [Box no.], Hoover Institution Archives
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Archives
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. To determine if this has occurred, find
the collection in Stanford University's online catalog Searchworks at
http://searchworks.stanford.edu/ . Materials have been added to the collection if the number of boxes listed in Searchworks is larger than the number of boxes
listed in this finding aid.
Alternative Forms of Material Available
Also available on microfilm (339 reels).
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental
Principals of the International Red Cross Movement. The Federal Charter states it is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization.
The organization's seven fundamental principles are: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service,
unity, and universality. This mission guides the organization to provide relief to victims of disasters and to help people
prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
At the beginning of the World War I, the American Red Cross was a small organization still in the process of developing its
identity and programs. When the United States declared war against Germany on April 6, 1917, the organization began a period
of extraordinary growth. By the time the war ended in November 1918, the Red Cross had become a major national humanitarian
organization with strong leadership, a huge membership base, universal recognition, and a broad and distinguished record of
service.
The Red Cross continues to respond to emergencies today.
Scope and Content of Collection
The records of the American National Red Cross (ARC) in this collection deal mainly with relief around the world during and
after World War I.
The records of the ARC are arranged by geographical location where each particular commission operated: commissions for the
Balkan States (including countries such as Albania, Austria-Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Romania,
Serbia), Belgium, China, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Palestine and Egypt, Switzerland, and Russia
(Petrograd Children's Colony, Siberia, Southern Russia, Western Russia, and Baltic States). The documents reflect the massive
efforts put forth by the ARC to deliver aid to regions devastated by the war.
If the commission for a certain region or country operated in another territory (for example the Commission for Czechoslovakia
opened hospitals on the territory of Russia), the documents may be found among the records of that geographic location. Along
with official reports and financial records, correspondence of gratitude for the ARC gives a human side to the organization.
The collection also contains records of related organizations including the American Relief Administration, International
and Junior Red Cross, YMCA, and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. The material presents a comprehensive history
of relief work around the world, as well as economic and health conditions, political and social developments.
The
Miscellany series includes documents of most geographic areas of the American National Red Cross that were not included in the original
arrangement, and contains supplemental records of each commission.
Printed matter contains bulletins, magazines, reports, pamphlets, instructions, and manuals published by the ARC.
Records are arranged as originally received from the organization; generally by Commission or Office in geographical locations
as well as the Headquarters Offices. General materials, oversize items, and printed materials may be found after the geographic
locations
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
International relief
World War, 1914-1918--Civilian relief
World War, 1914-1918--War work
Photographs
Video tapes
The Hazel Braugh Record Center and Archives of the American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/museum/exhibits/braugh.asp provides additional information on the records center holdings as well as other repositories that hold American Red Cross
records, such as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Library of Congress.
American Relief Administration Russian Operational records, 1919-1925, Hoover Institution Archives
American Relief Administration European Operations Records, 1919-1923, Hoover Institution Archives
Mary Catherine Roberts papers, 1918-1978, Hoover Institution Archives
Burle Bramhall collection, 1973-1976, Hoover Institution Archives