National Anthropological Archives
Institute of Social Anthropology records
Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of American Ethnology. Institute of Social Anthropology
NAA.1996-04
Archival Resource Key
9 Linear feet
1942-1952
The Institute of Social Anthropology was an autonomous unit of the Smithsonian Institution which existed from 1942-1952. The objectives of the Institute of Social Anthropology were to work in cooperation with the institutions in certain Latin American republics which had requested assistance in anthropological work; the Institute of Social Anthropology had two main objectives:
1) Training of personnel in the concepts and techniques of anthropology;
2) Acquisition of a body of scientific information concerning the basic rural populations that is fundamental to any program affecting Latin Americans as well as to science and education.
The research provided an understanding of the manner of living, agricultural systems in relation to environmental factors, economic life, crafts and industries, food habits, health status, social organization, religion, language, literacy, and basic attitudes and interests of the people. From a scientific point of view, these studies revealed the most recent changes and the factors making for change in cultures that in many instances can be traced back more than 2,000 years through archaeology and post-conquest written history. From a practical point of view, the findings were indispensable to any action programs, both governmental and private, concerned with matters of health, education, soil erosion, commercial development, colonization, marketing, and so on.
English
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Conditions Governing Access
The Institute of Social Anthropology records are open for research.
Access to the Institute of Social Anthropology records requires an appointment.
Historical Note
The Institute of Social Anthropology was established under the directorship of Julian H. Steward on September 8, 1943, as an autonomous unit of the Bureau of American Ethnology. Its purpose was to set up cooperative Institutes of Social Anthropology for scientific research and training in certain Latin American countries, each working under the guidance of the Smithsonian Institution. This program was carried out under the auspices of the Interdepartmental Committee on Scientific and Cultural Cooperation in Latin American of the U.S. Department of State, and was financed by funds transferred from the State Department to the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Steward directed the Institution of Social Anthropology until September, 1946, when he was succeeded by George M. Foster, who continued as director until the Institute was abolished in 1952.
At its outset, the ISA staff consisted of eight social scientists (four social anthropologists, two cultural geographers, a linguist, and a sociologist) stationed in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru (for a short time in 1950 a station was established in Guatemala, but it was discontinued the same year for lack of funds). Their duties consisted in instructing local students (in collaboration with Latin American universities and other institutions) in social science research techniques through classroom, laboratory, and field situations, and in assisting with publication projects. In 1948, the budget was cut to allow for only six scientists. The ISA continued in this capacity until 1949, when the Inter-departmental Committee on Scientific and Cultural Cooperation was abolished, and it was placed under the Division of International Exchange of Persons, another State Department Committee. The ISA did not form an organic part of this new program, and the State Department decided to terminate its support as of December 31, 1951.
Following this time, the ISA integrated its activities with the Institute of Inter-American Affairs. In the spring of 1952, the IIAA requested that all ISA personnel who so desired be permanently incorporated into the IIAA organization. This terminated the activities of the Institute of Social Anthropology as such
Preferred Citation
Institute of Social Anthropology records, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Related Materials
Other material in the National Anthropological Archives that relates to the Institute of Social Anthropology can be found among the correspondence files of the Bureau of American Ethnology 1907-1950, consisting of fifty linear feet files in one continuous alphabet in ninety seven boxes.
Scope and Contents
These documents reflect the correspondence and other office records of the Institute of Social Anthropology of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Included are annual reports, correspondence, memoranda, printed material, and financial records that cover the period of the Institute's existence 1942-1952. The majority of the material relates to the office files of the Institute and its correspondence with its social scientists in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru.
Also included are documents that relate to the Institute of Social Anthropology and its relations with the State Department. There is also correspondence concerning the ISA and Acta American, Bollingen Foundation, Guggenheim Foundation, National Indian Institute, Pan American Institute of Geography and History, Rockefeller Foundation, UNESO, Wenner-Gren Foundation, Inter-American Society of Anthropology and Geography, Escuela Nacional de Anthropología e Historia, Instituto Nacional de Anthropología e Historia, Escola Livre de Sociología e Política, Instituto de Anthropología Social.
Conditions Governing Use
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Mexicans
Peruvians
Anthropology -- Latin America
Brazil
Colombia
Guatemala
South America
Central America
United States. Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs
Inter-American Society of Anthropology and Geography
ANNUAL REPORTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
Series 1
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0.25 Linear feet
1942-1952
Scope and Contents note
Included are annual reports, correspondence, memoranda, and printed material. The records place emphasis on explanations and justification for the Institute of Social Anthropology and its programs in Latin America. Includes the correspondence relating to the Point IV legislation and the integration of anthropology with Point IV. In addition are membership lists of Latin American Committees through which ISA works and a copy of an ISA list entitled "Who's Who in Latin American Anthropology." There exists information on the Institute of Social Anthropology Project Proposals concerned with cooperation in research and teaching in social anthropology with the various institutes in other Latin American countries. Concludes with a general mailing list from the Institute to Latin Americanists in both history and anthropology.
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically
Organizational Records, Annual Reports
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1942-1952
1
Information on Anthropologists
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1942-1952
1
Point IV Proposals
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1949-1952
1
Project Proposals
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1
ADMINSTRATIVE AND PERSONNEL RECORDS
Series 2
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0.5 Linear feet
1942-1952
Scope and Contents note
Included are correspondence, memoranda, bulletins, rosters, releases, notifications and printed matter. The records emphasize the operational framework of the Institute of Social Anthropology. Includes correspondence relating to personnel instructions, allowances, salaries and leaves, authorizations, loyalty data, various memoranda to all field personnel, permission to publish releases, and personnel action. In addition are personnel reports and detailed job descriptions. Of import are the reclassification personnel statements of the director of the Institute of Social Anthropology. Concludes with recruitment directives.
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically
Instructions and Memoranda
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1944-1952
1
Shipping Records
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1943-1952
1
Allowances, Salaries, and Leaves
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1945-1952
1
Authorizations
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1942-1952
2
Loyalty Data
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1948-1952
2
Memoranda to All Field Personnel
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1950-1952
2
Permission to Publish
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1946-1952
2
Personnel Action
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1952
2
Personnel, Job Description, Etc.
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1944-1952
2
Recruitments
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1950-1951
2
STATE DEPARTMENT MEMORANDA AND RELATED MATERIALS
Series 3
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0.5 Linear feet
1946-1951
Scope and Contents note
MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS RELATING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT COMMITTEES UNDER WHICH ISA OPERATED Included are announcements, correspondence, memoranda, messages, notes, notices, summaries, instructions, surveys, and printed matter. The records emphasize the role of the Institute of Social Anthropology and its relations with the State Department. Included are the correspondence relating to the Interdepartmental Committee on Scientific and Cultural Cooperation as well as its financial records and miscellaneous reports. Concludes with the State Department File on the Division of Exchange of Persons which contains correspondence with the Director of the Institute of Social Anthropology.
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically
Relating to the State Department
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2
Committees Under Which ISA Operated
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2
Scientific and Cultural Cooperation Memos
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1948-1949
3
Interdepartmental Committee
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1942-1949
3
ExScientific and Cultural Cooperation
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1947-1949
3
Scientific and Cultural Cooperation
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1947-1950
3
Division of Exchange of Persons
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1949-1951
3
INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, CORRESPONDENCE
Series 4
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4.5 Linear feet
1942-1952
Scope and Contents note
Included are correspondence, printed matter, requests, notifications, plans, and memoranda.
Arrangement note
Arranged alphabetically - material within each folder arranged by date
Correspondence A
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1942-1952
3
Adams, Richard N.
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1950-1952
3
Correspondence B
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1942-1952
3
Beals, Ralph
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1943-1952
3
Bennett, Wendell C.
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1941-1952
3
Borbolla, Daniel F.
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1942-1950
3
Brand, Donald
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1943-1944
3
Brand, Donald
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1944-1952
3
Bruman, Henry
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1943-1944
4
Buitron, Anibel
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1944-1952
4
Correspondence C
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1943-1952
4
Carrasco, Pedro
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1950-1951
4
Chaves, Milciades
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1950-1952
4
Christ, Raymond E.
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1948-1951
4
Clark, Virginia L.
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1951-1953
4
Collier, Donald
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1943-1950
4
Comas, Juan
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1945-1952
4
Cooper, John
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1943-1946
4
Correspondence D
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1948-1952
5
Diaz, Jorge
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1950-1952
5
Duque, Luis Gomez
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1949-1952
5
Correspondence E
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1943-1951
5
Erasmus, Charles J.
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1949-1953
5
Correspondence F
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1943-1952
5
Fejos, Paul
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1943-1951
5
Foster, George M.
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1942-1945
6
Foster, George M.
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1946-1953
6
Correspondence G
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1941-1952
6
Gillin, John
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1942-1944
6
Gillin, John
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1945-1952
6
Correspondence H
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1941-1952
6
Hanke, Lewis
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1943-1952
7
Hernandez de Alba, Gregorio
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1943-1951
7
Holmberg, Allan
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1941-1947
7
Holmberg, Allan
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1948-1952
7
Correspondence I
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1948-1950
7
Correspondence J
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1945-1946
7
Johnson, Frederick
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1942-1951
7
Correspondence K
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1942-1950
7
Kelly, Isabel
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1946-1947
7
Kelly, Isabel
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1947-1948
7
Kelly, Isabel
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1949
8
Kelly, Isabel
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1950
8
Kelly, Isabel
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1951-January-1951 July
8
Kelly, Isabel
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1951 August-1953
8
Kubler, George A.
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1948-1952
8
Correspondence L
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1940-1952
8
Lowie, Robert H.
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1942-1949
8
Correspondence Mc
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1943-1952
8
McBryde, Webster
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1944-1951
8
Correspondence M
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1942-1952
8
Martinez del Rio, Pablo
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1946-1952
9
Correspondence N
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1947-1952
9
Newman, Stanley S.
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1943-1946
9
Newman, Stanley S.
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1947-1950
9
Northcott, Lois C.
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1947-1952
9
Correspondence O
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1943-1952
9
Oberg, Kalervo
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1946-1949
9
Oberg, Kalervo
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1950-1953
9
Correspondence P
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1947-1952
9
Pecora, Ethelwyn Carter
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1942-1949
9
Pierson, Donald
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1942-1945
9
Pierson, Donald
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1946-1947
9
Pierson, Donald
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1948-1949
10
Pierson, Donald
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1950-1951 August
10
Pierson, Donald
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1951 September-1952
10
Correspondence Q
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1952
10
Correspondence R
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1946-1952
10
Reichel-Dolmatoff
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1944-1951
10
Rowe, John M.
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1943-1947
10
Rowe, John M.
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1948-1953
10
Correspondence S
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1942-1952
10
Simmons, Ozzie
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1949-1950
10
Simmons, Ozzie
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1951-1961
11
Steward, Julian H.
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1942-1945
11
Steward, Julian H.
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1946-1952
11
Strong, William Duncan
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1944-1950
11
Correspondence T
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1948-1951
11
Tax, Sol
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1945-1952
11
Tschopik, Harry
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1943-1945
11
Tschopik, Harry
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1946-1951
11
Correspondence U-V
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1945-1952
11
Valcareel, Luis
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1943-1952
11
Correspondence W
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1944-1952
11
Wagley, Charles
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1941-1952
11
West, Robert
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1945-1949
11
Willey, Gordon
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1943-1951
12
Wonderly, William
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1950-1951
12
XYZ Correspondence
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1947-1952
12
AREAL SUBJECT FILE
Series 5
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1 Linear foot
1942-1952
Scope and Contents note
Included are correspondence, agreements, announcements, briefs, reports of the Institute Conventions, decisions, memoranda, publicity notes, and printed material as they deal with the Institute of Social Anthropology, 1942-1956. Includes Bolivia; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; Guatemala; Mexico; Old World (China); Panama; Peru; Venezuela; Washington, DC.
Arrangement note
Arranged alphabetically by country - material within each folder arranged by date
Bolivia
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1942-1945
12
Brazil
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1942-1951
Mailing List
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12
Publicity
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12
Chile
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1945-1946
Publicity, Review, Etc.
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12
China
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1945-1947
12
Colombia, General
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1943-1950
Agreements
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1944-1952
12
Publicity
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1949-1950
12
Costa Rica and Cuba
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1943-1950
12
Ecuador
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1947-1950
12
Guatemala
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1947-1951
Agreements
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13
Mailing List
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13
Mexico
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1942-1943
13
Mexico
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1944-1949
Agreements
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13
Old World
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1945-1950
13
Panama
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13
Peru, General
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1943-1945
13
Peru, General
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1946-1951
Agreements
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1943-1952
13
Conferences
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1948
13
Publicity, Reviews, Etc.
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1946-1951
14
Venezuela
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1948-1951
14
Washington, DC
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1945-1956
14
SUBJECT FILE
Series 6
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0.25 Linear feet
1944-1952
Scope and Contents note
Included are correspondence, circulars, bulletins, notifications, instructions, plans, resolutions, and printed matter. The records emphasize the various research foundations and their correspondence with the Institute of Social Anthropology. Included are Acta-Americana; Bollingen Foundation; Guggenheim Foundation; National Indian Institute; National Research Council; Pan American Institute of Geography and History; Rockefeller Foundation; UNESCO; and the Wenner-Gren Foundation.
Arrangement note
Arranged alphabetically by research foundation - material within each folder arranged by date
Acta-Americana
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1944-1949
14
Bollingen Foundation, Correspondence
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1951-1952
14
Circulars and Instructions, Bureau of Budget, Comptroller General
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1951-1952
14
Human Relations Area File
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1949-1950
14
National Indian Week
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1950-51
14
National Indian Institute
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1950
14
National Research Council
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1949-1952
14
Pan-American Institute of Geography and History
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1944-1951
14
Rockefeller Foundation
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1951
14
State Department, Institute of Inter-American Affairs
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1950-1952
14
Wenner-Gren Foundation
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1952
14
ACCOUNTS AND FISCAL RECORDS
Series 7
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0.75 Linear feet
1946-1952
Scope and Contents note
Included are correspondence, allotments, awards, bids, commissions, contracts, directives, endorsements, instructions, journals, ledgers, notes, receipts, tabulations, and vouchers of the Institute of Social Anthropology. The records contain several folders on the Institute of Inter-American Affairs, 1950-1952 and provide information regarding its relationship with the Institute of Social Anthropology.
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically and partially by particular country
Accounts
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1946
15
Accounts
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1947
15
Fiscal
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1948
15
Fiscal
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1949
15
Old World
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1949
15
Fiscal
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1950
15
Budget
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1952
15
Budget and Finance
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1944-1945
15
Budget and Finance
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1945-1947
16
Budget, Eastern Hemisphere
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1947
16
Budget and Finance
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1948
16
BUDGET ESTIMATES AND RECORDS
Series 8
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1.25 Linear feet
1944-1951
Scope and Contents note
Included are correspondence, allotments, financial estimates, journals, ledgers, payrolls, tabulations, vouchers, printed matter, directives, and instructions.
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically by subject
1946-1948
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1946-1948
16
1947-1949
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1947-1949
17
1948-49-1950
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1948-1950
17
1950-51-52
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1950-1952
17
Fiscal Year
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1947
18
Fiscal Year
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1948
18
Fiscal Year
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1949
18
Fiscal Year
Archival Resource Key
1950
18
Fiscal Year
Archival Resource Key
1950
18