The Family International Records MS-0560
Stephanie Griswold
Special Collections & University Archives
09/11/2018
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA 92182-8050
askscua@sdsu.edu
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & University Archives
Title: The Family International Records
Creator:
The Family International
Identifier/Call Number: MS-0560
Physical Description:
4.17 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1940-2009
Date (bulk): 1968-1981
Language of Material:
English
.
Scope and Contents
The Family International Records document more than six decades of church and personal activity and include newspaper clippings, photos, audio and video recordings,
personal papers, organizational documents, federal agency records, and related anti-cult and scholarly documents. During this
time, The Family faced many controversies based on their sexual practices and accusations of abuse. The majority of this collection
features "witnessing" activities through photographs, church publications such as brochures and A/V materials, as well as
news, government, and academic coverage of their religious movement. This collection has some personal documents from the
earlier life of founder, David Berg.
There are ten series in this collection:
Historic Publications and Photos (1940-1988),
Photographs (1969-1981),
News Articles (1972-2001),
Freedom of Information Act Files (1971-2000),
Cult Awareness Network Files (1974-1997),
Anti-Cult Movement Files (1979-1994),
The Family International Publications (1974-2009),
Academic Publications (1993-2000),
Audio/Visual Files (1971-2008), and
News Articles - Original and Oversized Printings (1972-2001).
Historic Publications and Photos (1940-1988): This series contains Berg Family newsletters and photos as well as early pamphlets from the Children of God
and photos of fellowship with the Jesus People Army.
Photographs (1969-1981): This series is divided by location and organized by year where applicable. The photos in this series depict
activities and members for The Family International over its first 20 or so years all over the world with a combination of
captioned and uncaptioned photos.
News Articles (1972-2001): This series comprises hundreds of news articles about The Family International from all over the world in various
languages, some with English translations.
Freedom of Information Act Files (1971-2000): This series includes records released by various American government agencies: FBI, CIA, NSA, DOJ, the State
Department, and the US Information Agency, as well as correspondence with these agencies.
Cult Awareness Network Files (1974-1997): This series consists of files created by the Cult Awareness Network regarding the activities and practices of
The Family International, including their opinions on the organization as well as scholarly work by Dr. Stephen Kent of the
University of Alberta.
Anti-Cult Movement Files (1979-1994): This series is related to the Cult Awareness Network Files, containing documents related to an organization
that is against alternative religions with controversial practices like The Family International. These documents were created
by the Anti-Cult Movement regarding The Family International and include interpretations of The Family International featuring
experiences of disaffected members who corroborated instances of abuse. The folders about Argentina and Chile are mostly,
if not completely, in Spanish.
The Family International Publications (1974-2009): This series contains media guidance, press releases and policy statements made by The Family International as
well as proselytizing brochures, all in various languages.
Academic Publications (1993-2000): This series is made up of a dissertation about sexual practices in The Family International and statements from
scholars regarding The Family.
Audio/Visual Files (1971-2008): This series has CDs, DVDs, VCDs, and audio cassettes with proselytizing video, church-created documentaries,
religious music, and scholarly presentations related to The Family International.
News Articles - Original and Oversized Printings (1972-2001): This series includes the original and/or oversized news articles that came as part of Series 3: Children of
God/ The Family International News Articles, 1972-2001. Due to their size, folds, and age, they are separate from the photocopies
in Series 3.
Arrangement Note
I. Historic Publications and Photos, 1940-1988
II. Photographs, 1969-1981
III. News Articles, 1972-2001
IV. Freedom of Information Act Files, 1971-2000
V. Cult Awareness Network Files, 1974-1997
VI. Anti-Cult Movement Files, 1979-1994
VII. The Family International Publications, 1974-2009
VIII.Academic Publications, 1993-2000
IX. Audio/Visual Files, 1971-2008
X. News Articles Original and Oversized Printings, 1972-2001
Conditions Governing Access
SDSU may grant permission for selective use of photographic and audio/visual material for academic purposes only in research-based
papers, studies, books, or publications. Requests for permission to use materials in this collection must be submitted to
the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access.
Conditions Governing Use
The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with
the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections
is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be
submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission
of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available
for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including
but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Source of Acquisition
The Family International
Accruals and Additions
2018-029
Related Materials
Peoples Temple Collection
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, folder title, box number,
The Family International Records, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego State University Library.
Historical Note
The Family International was founded in Huntington Beach, California in 1968 by David Berg. The group has gone by several
names including Children of God, The Family of Love, and Teens for Christ. Berg was also know by several other names; Father
David, Moses David, Mo, Grandfather, and King David. The group focused on spreading the Christian gospel through the counterculture
of the 1960s and into the 1970s. Berg disagreed with mainstream Christianity and used his particular brand of Christianity
to convert unchurched people, first in Southern California and eventually in many countries around the world. The first twenty
or so years of the organization's history was fraught with controversy including child sexual abuse, practices such as "flirty
fishing" and "sharing," as well as racism and anti-Semitism. After Berg's death in 1994, his second wife Karen Zerby took over
leadership of the Family. Many of those controversial positions have since been disavowed by the current church leadership.
This collection includes correspondence with federal agencies, news articles, Anti-Cult documents, scholarly statements on
The Family International, official statements and publications from the Family International, cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, and
photographs, as well as information on related religious groups from the organization's early years.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Children of God (Musical group)
Children of God (Movement)
Children of God (Organization)
box 1
Historic Publications and Photos Series 1
1940-1988
box 1, folder 1
Berg Family Papers and Photos Folder 1
1940-1965
Scope and Contents
Berg Family Newsletters and photos of David Berg's mother and family.
box 1, folder 2
Early Children of God Publications Folder 2
1968-1988
Scope and Contents
Photos of publication from the 1980s. Children of God pamphlets from 1968-1977.
box 1, folder 3
Jesus People Photos Folder 3
1971-1972
Scope and Contents
Photos of Jesus People and House of Judah who later joined Children of God.
Children of God Photo Archive Series 2
1969-1981
Scope and Contents
Photo archive was organized by location and is labeled first by continent or region and then by country if specified.
box 1, folder 4
Photos; Uncaptioned Folder 4
Scope and Contents
Three photos, only one with a caption. No dates or locations indicated.
box 1, folder 5
Photos; United States and Europe- Uncaptioned Folder 5
1972-1975
Scope and Contents
Mostly uncaptioned photos with no date or location indicated. Labeled as United States and Europe based on organization of
the donor.
box 1, folder 6
Photos; Africa Folder 6
1976-1978
box 1, folder 7
Photos; Africa- Libya Folder 7
Scope and Contents
No dates in captions.
box 1, folder 8
Photos; Asia Folder 8
1973-1982
Scope and Contents
Not all photos indicate any date or location.
box 1, folder 9
Photos; Asia- China and Hong Kong Folder 9
1975-1981
box 1, folder 10
Photos; Asia- India Folder 10
1972-1976
box 1, folder 11
Photos; Asia- Indonesia Folder 11
1975-1977
box 1, folder 12
Photos; Asia- Japan Folder 12
1973-1977
box 1, folder 13
Photos; Asia- Japan Heavenly City School Folder 13
Scope and Contents
No captions.
box 1, folder 14
Photos; Asia- Middle East Folder 14
1974-1976
Scope and Contents
Contains photos from colonies and activities in Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Jordan. Some photos are not captioned.
box 1, folder 15
Photos; Asia- Philippines Folder 15
1973-1975
Scope and Contents
Most photos are not captioned. One photo is with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos who was in power from 1965-1986 but
the photo does not indicate when during his reign the photo was taken.
box 1, folder 16
Photos; Asia- Thailand Folder 16
1973-1976
box 2, folder 1
Photos; Australia Folder 1
1972-1980
Scope and Contents
Photo with Prince Charles. Photos of Vietnam War protests.
box 2, folder 2
Photos; Europe Folder 2
1972-1976
Scope and Contents
Most photos are not captioned. One photo location is captioned as Greece. Another photo is captioned as Malta.
box 2, folder 3
Photos; Europe- Belgium Folder 3
1971-1979
Scope and Contents
Includes photos from the Bilzen Pop Festival in Belgium 1976.
box 2, folder 4
Photos; Europe- France Folder 4
1972-1979
Scope and Contents
Photos include a lot of musical performances.
box 2, folder 5
Photos; Europe- Germany Folder 5
1971-1979
box 2, folder 6
Photos; Europe- Italy Folder 6
1972-1976
Scope and Contents
Photos include from Pope Paul VI visit to Italy.
box 2, folder 7
Photos; Europe- Italy Milano Pop Festival Folder 7
1970-1974
box 2, folder 8
Photos; Europe- Netherlands Folder 8
1971-1975
box 2, folder 9
Photos; Europe- Scandinavia Folder 9
1971-1979
box 3, folder 1
Photos; Europe- Spain Folder 1
1974-1975
box 3, folder 2
Photos; Europe- Switzerland Folder 2
1972-1976
box 3, folder 3
Photos; Europe- United Kingdom Folder 3
1971-1972
Scope and Contents
Only one photo is captioned with a date of "1971-1972?" the rest were only labeled "United Kingdom" when the collection was
donated.
box 3, folder 4
Photos; Europe- United Kingdom, England Folder 4
1971-1975
box 3, folder 5
Photos; Europe- Ireland Folder 5
1972-1973
box 3, folder 6
Photos; North and South America- Latin America Folder 6
1974-1975
Scope and Contents
Most photos are not captioned and were sorted by the donor as from Latin America. Some photos are captioned with a year and/or
location including Guatemala and Honduras.
box 3, folder 7
Photos; North America- Canada Folder 7
1971
Scope and Contents
Only two photos- Vancouver 1971 and Toronto with no year.
box 3, folder 8
Photos; North America- Caribbean Folder 8
1973
Scope and Contents
Most photos are not captioned.
box 3, folder 9
Photos; North America- Costa Rica Folder 9
1972-1975
Scope and Contents
Also includes one photo from Chile and two from Panama in a collage.
box 3, folder 10
Photos; North America- Mexico Folder 10
1971-1977
box 3, folder 11
Photos; North America- Puerto Rico Folder 11
1972-1975
box 3, folder 12
Photos; North America- United States Folder 12
1971-1974
box 3, folder 13
Photos; North America- United States, California Folder 13
1969-1979
box 4, folder 1
Photos; North America- United States, Kentucky Folder 1
1970-1972
box 4, folder 2
Photos; North America- United States, Louisiana Pop Festival Folder 2
1971
box 4, folder 3
Photos; North America- United States, New York Folder 3
1974-1975
box 4, folder 4
Photos; North America- United States, Ohio Folder 4
1970-1971
box 4, folder 5
Photos; North America- United States On the Road Folder 5
1970
box 4, folder 6
Photos; North America- United States Prophet Bus Folder 6
1970-1971
box 4, folder 7
Photos; North America- United States Sackcloth Vigils Folder 7
1969-1973
Scope and Contents
In various US cities, some are captioned.
box 4, folder 8
Photos; North America- United States, Texas Folder 8
1969-1974
box 4, folder 9
Photos; North America- United States, Washington Folder 9
1971-1974
box 4, folder 10
Photos; North America- United States Work with Fred Jordan Folder 10
1970
Scope and Contents
Fred Jordan founded the Los Angeles-based Fred Jordan Mission in 1944. The Children of God briefly fellowshipped with Fred
Jordan's organization to proselytize the gospel of Jesus.
box 4, folder 11
Photos; North America- United States Slides Folder 11
1970-1971
Scope and Contents
This folder contains photo slides from various cities in the United States and some are not captioned or dated.
box 4, folder 12
Photos; South America Folder 12
1973-1974
Scope and Contents
The folder contains some photos from Bolivia and Chile as well as one with no location listed.
box 4, folder 13
Photos; South America- Argentina Folder 13
1973-1976
box 4, folder 14
Photos; South America- Brazil Folder 14
1972-1975
box 5, folder 1
Photos; South America- Colombia Folder 1
1973-1974
Scope and Contents
Some photos from Colombia television called "Hola Gente!" ("Hello People!)
box 5, folder 2
Photos; South America- Ecuador Folder 2
1973-1980
box 5, folder 3
Photos; South America- Peru Folder 3
1972-1977
box 5, folder 4
Photos; South America- Venezuela Folder 4
1972-1973
Children of God/ The Family International News Articles Series 3
1972-2001
Scope and Contents
Some folders contain articles in languages other than English. Some include translations done by The Family International.
Many do not include translations. This series includes some comparative or concurrent media coverage on the Branch Davidians
in Waco, Texas and Jim Jones' People's Temple in Jonestown, Guyana.
box 5, folder 5
News Articles; Argentina Folder 5
1989-1994
Scope and Contents
Spanish language news articles about The Family International/ Children of God from Argentina (photocopied).
box 5, folder 6
News Articles; Protests for Members Incarcerated in Argentina Folder 6
1993
Scope and Contents
Protests were held in various cities around the world.
box 5, folder 7
News Articles; Australia Folder 7
1992-1999
box 5, folder 8
News Articles; Brazil Folder 8
1994
Scope and Contents
Portuguese language article.
box 5, folder 9
News Article; Canada Folder 9
1993-1995
box 5, folder 10
News Articles; Chile Folder 10
1993-1996
Scope and Contents
Spanish language articles, few in English.
box 5, folder 11
News Articles; Ecuador Folder 11
1993
Scope and Contents
Spanish language article.
box 5, folder 12
News Articles; Hong Kong Folder 12
1993
box 5, folder 13
News Articles; India Folder 13
1993
box 5, folder 14
News Articles; Mexico Folder 14
1991-1995
Scope and Contents
Spanish language articles, few in English.
box 5, folder 15
News Articles; Paraguay Folder 15
1993
Scope and Contents
Spanish language articles only.
box 5, folder 16
News Articles; Philippines Folder 16
1987-1993
box 5, folder 17
News Articles; Romania Folder 17
1994
box 5, folder 18
News Articles; Scandinavia Folder 18
1993-1994
Scope and Contents
One article in Norwiegen, all others in English.
box 5, folder 19
News Articles; Singapore Folder 19
1992-1993
box 5, folder 20
News Articles; Spain Folder 20
1990-1994
Scope and Contents
Spanish and Catalan language articles with many translated into English.
box 5, folder 21
News Articles; United Kingdom Folder 21
1993-1995
box 6, folder 1
News Articles; United States Folder 1
1972-1992
box 6, folder 2
News Articles; United States Folder 2
1993
Scope and Contents
Some Spanish language articles with English translations.
box 6, folder 3
News Articles; United States Folder 3
1994-2001
Scope and Contents
Some Spanish language articles.
box 6, folder 4
News Articles; Thailand Folder 4
1993
Scope and Contents
About half of the articles are in Thai without English translations. Some have translations and some articles are in English.
box 6, folder 5
News Articles; Uruguay Folder 5
1993-1994
Scope and Contents
Spanish language articles without English translations.
box 6, folder 6
News Articles; Venezuela Folder 6
1993
Scope and Contents
Spanish language articles without English translations.
Freedom of Information Act Files Series 4
1971-2000
Scope and Contents
Files came from The Family International requests to the United States government through the Freedom of Information Act including
requests to government agencies; Department of Justice (DOJ), State Department, FBI, CIA, NSA and the US Information Agency.
box 6, folder 7
Freedom of Information Requests and Responses Folder 7
1994-2000
Scope and Contents
Minor redactions to these documents.
box 6, folder 8
Central Intelligence Agency Folder 8
1991-1998
Scope and Contents
Minor redactions in these documents.
box 6, folder 9
Department of Justice Folder 9
1972-1997
Scope and Contents
Minor redactions to these documents.
box 6, folder 10
Department of State (February 1995 Responses) Folder 10
1992-1995
Scope and Contents
Minor redactions to declassified files.
box 6, folder 11
Department of State (March 1997 Responses) Folder 11
1992-1997
Scope and Contents
Highly redacted documents. Several documents in French.
box 6, folder 12
Department of State (May 1999 Responses) Folder 12
1990-1999
Scope and Contents
Minor redactions in these unclassified/declassified documents
box 7, folder 1
Federal Bureau of Information 1 Folder 1
1971-1972
Scope and Contents
Moderate redactions in these formerly confidential documents.
box 7, folder 2
Federal Bureau of Investigation 2 Folder 2
1972-1973
Scope and Contents
Moderate redactions in these formerly confidential documents.
box 7, folder 3
Federal Bureau of Information 3 Folder 3
1971-1972
Scope and Contents
Moderate redactions in these formerly confidential documents.
box 7, folder 4
Federal Bureau of Investigation 4 Folder 4
1973-1974
Scope and Contents
Moderate redactions in these formerly confidential documents.
box 7, folder 5
Federal Bureau of Investigation 5 Folder 5
1971-1980
Scope and Contents
Moderate redactions in these formerly confidential documents.
box 7, folder 6
Federal Bureau of Investigation 6 Folder 6
1971-1986
Scope and Contents
Moderate redactions in these formerly confidential documents.
box 7, folder 7
National Security Agency Folder 7
1994
Scope and Contents
Minor redaction made to this document.
box 7, folder 8
United States Information Agency Folder 8
1993-1999
Scope and Contents
Minor redactions made to unclassified documents.
box 8
Cult Awareness Network Files Series 5
1974-1997
box 8, folder 1
Cult Awareness Network Re: The Family International Folder 1
1974-1997
Scope and Contents
Includes news articles as well as packets created by the Cult Awareness Network.
box 8, folder 2
Cult Awareness Network- Stephen Kent Folder 2
1990-1997
box 8
Anti-Cult Movement Files Series 6
1979-1994
box 8, folder 3
Anti-Cult Movement Publications Folder 3
1979-1993
box 8, folder 4
Anti-Cult Movement Argentina Folder 4
1992-1994
Scope and Contents
Only one item in English. All other documents are in Spanish without translations.
box 8, folder 5
Anti-Cult Movement Chile Folder 5
1990-1993
Scope and Contents
Spanish language documents without English translations.
box 8
The Family International Publications Series 7
1974-2009
box 8, folder 6
The Family International Media Materials and Press Releases Folder 6
1993-2000
Scope and Contents
One document in Spanish with no English translation. All other documents are in English.
box 8, folder 7
The Family International Policy Statements Folder 7
1993-2004
Scope and Contents
One copy in English. Second copy in Spanish.
box 8, folder 8
The Family International Regional Brochures Folder 8
1974-2009
Scope and Contents
Brochures in English, Spanish, French, Thai, Chinese, Arabic, and Bosnian.
box 8, folder 9
The Family International Statements and Press Releases- Argentina Folder 9
1992-1993
Scope and Contents
Spanish language documents only.
box 9
Academic Publications Series 8
1993-2000
Scope and Contents
Supportive or relatively objective scholarly work regarding the Family International.
box 9, folder 1
Nancy R. Vogt Dissertation- Correlates of Adolescent Sexual Activity in The Family, a Religious Group Folder 1
1998
box 9, folder 2
Scholar Statements Re: The Family International Folder 2
1993-2000
box 9
Children of God Audio/Visual Files Series 9
1971-2008
Scope and Contents
This series contains CDs, DVDs, and audio cassettes.
box 9, folder 3
The Family International Brochure Videos Folder 3
2008
Scope and Contents
Contains a DVD and a VCD.
box 9, folder 4
The Family International-created Video Documentaries Folder 4
1971-2003
Scope and Contents
The Acts of the Revolution for Jesus Part 1-6, Man alive (1971), All That Believe (1995), A Living Faith (1995), and The Revolution
Continues Part 1-12
box 9, folder 5
The Family International Music Productions Folder 5
1999-2005
Scope and Contents
Music CDs in English, Thai, and Spanish of religious and Christmas songs.
box 9, folder 6
Refining Responses to New and World Religions in the 21st Century Audio Cassettes Folder 6
2002
Scope and Contents
Cassette recordings of scholarly lectures by J. Gordon Melton and James Chancellor.
box 10
Children of God/ The Family International News Articles Original and Oversized Printings Series 10
1972-2001
Scope and Contents
All of these documents have been photocopied and housed in Series 3: Children of God/ The Family International News Articles,
1972-2001
box 10, folder 1
News Articles; Argentina Originals/Oversized Folder 1
1989-1994
Scope and Contents
This folder contains the original and/or oversized newspaper clippings that were photocopied for Series 3.
box 10, folder 2
News Articles; Australia Originals/Oversized Folder 2
1992-1999
Scope and Contents
This folder contains the original and/or oversized newspaper clippings that were photocopied for Series 3.
box 10, folder 3
News Articles; Canada Originals/Oversized Folder 3
1993-1995
Scope and Contents
This folder contains the original and/or oversized newspaper clippings that were photocopied for Series 3.
box 10, folder 4
News Articles; Paraguay Originals/Oversized Folder 4
1993
Scope and Contents
This folder contains the original and/or oversized newspaper clippings that were photocopied for Series 3.
box 10, folder 5
News Articles; Philippines Originals/Oversized Folder 5
1987-1993
Scope and Contents
This folder contains the original and/or oversized newspaper clippings that were photocopied for Series 3.
box 10, folder 6
News Articles; Spain Originals/Oversized Folder 6
1990-1994
Scope and Contents
This folder contains the original and/or oversized newspaper clippings that were photocopied for Series 3.
box 10, folder 7
News Articles; United Kingdom Originals/Oversized Folder 7
1993-1995
Scope and Contents
This folder contains the original and/or oversized newspaper clippings that were photocopied for Series 3.
box 10, folder 8
News Articles; United States Originals/Oversized Folder 8
1972-2001
Scope and Contents
This folder contains the original and/or oversized newspaper clippings that were photocopied for Series 3.