Jones Family Memorabilia Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-0516

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Jones Family Memorabilia Collection (1948-2002) contains photographs, correspondence, and school records collected by Stephan Jones. The collection consists chiefly of photographs originally housed in photo albums and scrapbooks. There are photos of the Jones family as well as of Jim Jones and his work with Peoples Temple. Notable family items include drawings by Stephan when he was young, a letter from his mother, photos of the family, and poetry written by his grandmother. The collection also includes photographs of Jim Jones in the context of working with Peoples Temple and the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project (Jonestown).

Of particular note are two intact, original photo albums of snapshots of Jones and his family and the activities of Peoples Temple - one titled / labeled "Healings" and the other titled "Father and animals, Father and children, Political People, Enemies, Other Speakers." Photos from these albums have been digitized and are available at the Library's Digital Collections site.

Dates

Creation: 1948 - 2002
Creation: Majority of material found in 1965-1978

Creator

Jones Family (Family)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.

Biographical Note

Jim Jones was born in Lynn, Indiana in 1931 to parents James and Lynetta Jones. He was a passionate reader, interested in a wide range of religious beliefs. Jim Jones married Marceline (Marcie) Mae Baldwin in 1949 and they moved to Indianapolis the following year. A charismatic preacher, Jones founded Peoples Temple in the 1950s, a church based on principles of biblical preaching, racial equality, and apostolic socialism. In 1965, he relocated his family and Peoples Temple to Ukiah, California. Jim and Marcie had one biological child, Stephan Gandhi, and also adopted seven more: Jim Jr., Stephanie, Lew Eric, Suzanne, Agnes Pauline, John Moss, and Timothy Glen. Jim referred to his children as his “rainbow family.”

The Jones family is memorable because of Jim Jones, his creation of Peoples Temple, and the tragedy that occurred in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18th, 1978. Construction of the community formally known as the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, but better known as Jonestown, began in 1974. The population reached its peak in 1977. Three of Jones’ sons (Stephan, Jim Jr., and Tim) survived the tragedy at Jonestown due to participation in a basketball tournament with the Guyanese national team in Georgetown.

Extent

1.26 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Stephan Jones via the Jonestown Institute

Related Materials

Peoples Temple Collection, 1972-1990

Alternative Considerations of Jonestown and Peoples Temple, sponsored by the Department of Religious Studies at San Diego State University: http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/'