Photographs from the Peoples Temple Records, 1959-1982, bulk 1972-1978

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Summary

Title:
Photographs from Peoples Temple records
Dates:
1959-1982, bulk 1972-1978
Abstract:
Consists of photographic prints and negatives of Peoples Temple members and their families in the United States and Guyana. The collection includes individual and group portraits, publicity photographs, snapshots, and approximately 6500 identification photographs of Peoples Temple members. Many of the photographs were taken at church services and recreational outings, as well as farming, cooking, woodworking, and other activities conducted in Jonestown, Guyana.
Extent:
10.5 Linear Feet (7 boxes and 25 albums)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Photographs from Peoples Temple records (MSP 3800). California Historical Society Collection at Stanford, Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Consists of photographic prints of various sizes pertaining to Peoples Temple, including individual and 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. Includes interior and exterior shots of Peoples Temple churches in the United States, images of Peoples Temple members in Jonestown and Georgetown, Guyana, and approximately 6500 identification photographs of 3800 Peoples Temple members and others who attended church services in California. Also includes negatives and two slides. Unidentified Peoples Temple members took the bulk of the photographs before the deaths in Jonestown, Guyana, in November 1978.

Peoples Temple members who worked in photography or were amateur photographers included Eugene Chaikin, T. Clancey, Don Jackson, Elmer Mertle, Ken Norton, J. Randolph, Chris Rozynko, and E. Smith.

Many of the photographs are undated. Dates in the container list and in captions have been supplied based on information from Stephan Jones and other former Peoples Temple members who assisted in the identification of photographs.

Acquisition information:

Photographs from Peoples Temple records were transferred from Peoples Temple records, MS 3800. The Peoples Temple records were given to the California Historical Society by orders of the California Superior Court and of the Guyana High Court, facilitated by Robert H. Fabian, in June 1983.

Additions were made by Stephan Jones in 2003; these photographs were received from Charles Garry, attorney for Peoples Temple from 1977 to 1978.

Transferred to Stanford University Libraries, 2025.

Processing information:

Processed by Denice Stephenson in 2003-2005.

Arrangement:

The collection has been divided into five series: Series 1: General photographs; Series 2: Membership photographs; Series 3: Passport photographs; Series 4: Photographs of Peoples Temple facilities and property; and Series 5: Photographs from correspondence and legal files.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Denice Stephenson.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-02-12 15:31:59 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged three business days in advance. For more information on paging collections, see the department's website: https://library.stanford.edu/libraries/special-collections.

Terms of access:

Rights are owned by the CHS Collection at Stanford. Copyright Holder has given Institution permission to provide access to the digitized work online. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Copyright Holder. In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. For further information, please refer to the Permission to Publish or Broadcast Policy on the Stanford Special Collections website. Please email chscollection@stanford.edu for more information.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Photographs from Peoples Temple records (MSP 3800). California Historical Society Collection at Stanford, Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
chscollection@stanford.edu
Website