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.