Finding Aid to the Photographs from Peoples Temple records, 1959-1982 (bulk 1972-1978), MSP 3800

Series 1: General photographs circa 1959-1978

Physical Description: 1200.0 photographic prints

Scope and Contents

Consists of approximately 1200 photographic prints of various sizes, including group portraits, publicity photographs and snapshots. Includes images of church services, recreational outings, and Peoples Temple members working at various pursuits, including farming, cooking, and woodworking. Stephan Jones wrote many of the captions on the back of the photographs in 1999-2003. Among the locations pictured in the series are California cities, including Redwood Valley, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, and locations in Guyana, including Jonestown and Georgetown. Also includes several scenic shots and laminated membership cards with identification photographs. Photographs of Jim Jones in Box 2, folders 17-22, include images from the Peoples Temple media files and images used in promotional offerings in direct mail solicitations. Box 3, folders 31-32, contain images of Peoples Temple members preparing shipments of supplies for transport to Guyana and at United States and Guyana airports. Box 3, folders 33-39, include images of Jim Jones, early settlers of Jonestown, Guyanese laborers, and portraits of Jonestown residents.

Box 1, Folders 1-4

Church services 1972-1976

Box 1, Folder 5

Choir, band, and dance groups circa 1970-1975

Box 1, Folder 6

Benefit concerts circa 1976

Box 1, Folders 7-8

Cross country travel circa 1970-1976

Box 1, Folders 9-14

Members 1970-1976

Album 22

Membership cards, church services, members 1972-1976

Box 1, Folder 15

Soviet-American Friendship Society circa 1976-1977

Box 2, Folder 16

Marceline Jones 1972-1977

Box 2, Folders 17-18

Jim Jones 1972-1976

Box 2, Folder 19

Jim Jones with children circa 1972-1976

Box 2, Folder 20

Jim Jones with seniors circa 1959-1976

Box 2, Folder 21

Jim Jones with public officials circa 1975-1977

Box 2, Folder 22

Jim Jones with animals 1970-1973

Box 2, Folder 23

Patti Chastain drawings, members’ artwork undated

Box 3, Folder 31

Preparation of shipments to agricultural mission 1974-1976

Box 3, Folder 32

Members traveling to Jonestown, Guyana 1976-1977

Box 3, Folders 33-39

Members in Jonestown, Guyana 1974-1978

Box 3, Folder 41

Georgetown, Guyana, street scenes circa 1975

Series 2: Membership photographs circa 1974-1977

Physical Description: 3400.0 photographic prints

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of photographs of Peoples Temple members who died in Jonestown may be viewed at http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/.

Scope and Contents

Consists of approximately 3400 small, color identification photographs of Peoples Temple members and others who attended church services. These instantly developed photographs were used to create Peoples Temple membership cards such as those found in Album 22. The bulk of the photographs were taken after services at churches in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

System of Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.

Restrictions on Reproduction and Use

Passport photographs, membership photographs, and other individual portraits of former members who are still living require the written permission of that person to be reproduced or published. The researcher must locate the individual and present CHS with proof of permission, either by email or letter.

Album 1

Adams-Byrd circa 1974-1977

Album 2

Cagle-Flanagan circa 1974-1977

Album 3

Fletcher-Ivy circa 1974-1977

Album 4

Jackson-Lyons circa 1974-1977

Album 5

Mack-Pursley circa 1974-1977

Album 6

Quan-Swinney circa 1974-1977

Album 7

Tabb-Zachary circa 1974-1977

Series 3: Passport photographs circa 1974-1977

Physical Description: 11100.0 items

System of Arrangement

Albums 8-21 and Boxes 5-7 are arranged alphabetically. Albums 23-25 are arranged numerically by original binder and negative number.

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of photographs of Peoples Temple members who died in Jonestown may be viewed at http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/.

Scope and Contents

Consists of approximately 3100 black and white identification photographs of Peoples Temple members and others who attended church services to be used for passport applications for travel from the United States to Guyana. The bulk of the photographs were taken after services at churches in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Many of the images are contact prints developed and printed by Peoples Temple members. Also includes approximately 3000 duplicate images and three albums of approximately 5000 negatives.

Restrictions on Reproduction and Use

Passport photographs, membership photographs, and other individual portraits of former members who are still living require the written permission of that person to be reproduced or published. The researcher must locate the individual and present CHS with proof of permission, either by email or letter.

Album 8

Abrams-Boutte, L. circa 1974-1977

Album 9

Boutte, M.-Carter, M. circa 1974-1977

Album 10

Carter, M.-Davis, B. circa 1974-1977

Album 11

Davis, C.-Ewing circa 1974-1977

Album 12

Fain-Gray circa 1974-1977

Album 13

Greaves-Ivy circa 1974-1977

Album 14

Jackson-Jones, Reba circa 1974-1977

Album 15

Jones, Rome-Lyons circa 1974-1978

Album 16

Macklin-Monroe, L. circa 1974-1977

Album 17

Monroe, M.-Pikes circa 1974-1977

Album 18

Pinkey-Ryles circa 1974-1977

Album 19

Saddler-Smith, W. circa 1974-1977

Album 20

Smith, Y.-Tyler circa 1974-1977

Album 21

Umblas-Young circa 1974-1977

Albums 23-25

Passport negatives circa 1974-1977

Boxes 5-7

Duplicate and unidentified passport images circa 1974-1977

Series 4: Photographs of Peoples Temple facilities and property 1970-1980

Physical Description: 60.0 photographic prints

Scope and Contents

Consists of approximately 60 photographic prints of Peoples Temple churches and related buildings in California. Also includes images of landscapes, vehicles involved in accidents, members' personal real estate properties, and boats in Guyana.

System of Arrangement

Arranged by location or type of property.

Box 2, Folders 24-26

Redwood Valley, California 1970-1979

Box 2, Folder 27

Mendocino County, California undated

Box 2, Folder 28

San Francisco, California 1973-1979

Box 2, Folder 29

Los Angeles, California circa 1972

Box 2, Folder 30

Machinery and trucks 1976

Box 3, Folder 40

Boats 1974-1980

Box 3, Folder 43

Real estate and motor vehicles circa 1970-1976

Series 5: Photographs from correspondence and legal files circa 1972-1982, undated

Physical Description: 40.0 photographic prints

Scope and Contents

Consists of approximately 40 photographic prints separated from correspondence and legal files in the Peoples Temple records, MS 3800, including photographs of correspondents seeking advice from Peoples Temple attorneys and photographs of Peoples Temple members used as evidence in Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ vs. The Attorney General of California .

Restrictions on Access

Photographs from members' legal papers (Box 4, folder 44b) are restricted. Restrictions on these photographs may be reevaluated if a researcher can show proof that the person is deceased or has provided proof of permission by the party named to CHS. The researcher must locate the individual and present CHS with proof of permission, either by email or letter.

Photographs from advice correspondence (Box 4, folder 45) and photographs from medical records (Box 4, folder 46) are permanently sealed and closed.

Box 3, Folder 44a

Photographs from Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ v. Attorney General of California 1978

Separated Materials

Separated from Peoples Temple records, MS 3800, folder 1634.

Box 4, Folder 44b

Photographs from members' legal papers undated

Separated Materials

Separated from Peoples Temple records, MS 3800, folder 2200.

Box 4, Folder 45

Photographs from advice correspondence 1972, undated

Separated Materials

Separated from Peoples Temple records, MS 3800, folders 2169 and 2182.

Box 4, Folder 46

Photographs from medical records 1982

Separated Materials

Separated from Peoples Temple records, MS 3800, folder 1606.