Ofori Ansah explains children in Africa like to make up stories, games, and songs about animals; he also explains folktales. Ofori Ansah and a group of children play the African game of tail or tail, and sing and dance to Kye Kye Kule. The children, dressed as animals, perform a folktale as told by Ofori Ansah.
Performance - music, dance, storytelling, and theater. Part of ACM Museum Events, PR, and Ceremonies Recordings. Related to Kwanzaa Programs. 17 copies of African Play. 16 black and white copies. 1 color copy [AV003553]. Some copies have audio and/video distortions. Transcribed from AV000841 - AV000845: Kwanzaa African Play. AV002231: dated 19910827. Remainder of the assets: dated 19780821.
Biographical / Historical:
Ofori Ansah was born in Aboasa, Ghana, 1944. Scholar of African and African American art and artists. Professor of African Art History at Howard University where he began a Ghana Travel/Study Program in 2005. Wrote book about children games and folktales from African tradition which were taught at the 1976 Festival of American Folklife, the Smithsonian Institution. Also known as Ofori-Ansah, Kwaku and Ofori-Ansah, Paul, 1944-.;Anacostia Community Museum's Education Department hosted Kwanzaa events, including Kwanzaa workshops and school events as well as Kwanzaa-related films, plays, and storytelling.
Local Numbers:
ACMA AV003195
ACMA AV003197
ACMA AV003199
ACMA AV003542
ACMA AV003544
ACMA AV003553
ACMA AV003566
ACMA AV003568
ACMA AV003571
ACMA AV003577
ACMA AV003579
ACMA AV000841
ACMA AV000842
ACMA AV000843
ACMA AV000844
ACMA AV000845
ACMA AV002231
General:
Title transcribed from opening credits of video recording.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Some items are not accessible due to obsolete format and playback machinery restrictions. Please contact the archivist at acmarchives@si.edu.
Photographs taken by Alixa Naff between 1957 and the early 1970s on trips to England, Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, and open reel audio tapes of interviews regarding Syrian-Lebanese folklore that Naff conducted in 1965 in the Lebanese Village of Rashaya al-Wadi. Comprising this collection are images of cities, structures, art, people, activities, and scenery, and two folders of Dr. Naff's notes relating to the recorded interviews. Photographic formats include 35mm slides, black and white prints, and 35mm negatives. Naff annotated many of the slide mounts or verso of prints with descriptions and identifications.
Biographical Note:
Alixa Naff began collecting Arab folklore in 1962 when she visited 16 communities in the U.S. and eastern Canada. After earning her MA and PhD, she taught at California State University, Chico, and at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Naff left academia in 1977 to research and collect material relating to the Arab immigrant experience (particularly Syrian and Lebanese immigrants from the turn of the 20th century). In 1984, with prompting from Richard Ahlborn, curator of the Smithsonian Institution Community Life Division (now the Department of Cultural Affairs), Naff donated her collection of Arab immigrant material. Naff eventually became the archivist of the "Faris and Yamna Naff Arab American Collection", named in honor of her parents, at National Museum of American History Archives Center.
Local Call Number(s):
NAA Photo Lot 2011-02
Location of Other Archival Materials:
One reel of 8mm film of Zahle, Lebanon was donated with this collection. It has been relocated to the Human Studies Film Archives.
Archives Center, National Museum of American History holds the Faris and Yamna Naff Arab American Collection and several other Naff accessions.
The National Anthropological Archives also holds a 1950 map of Cairo donated by Alixa Naff (MS 7449).
Restrictions:
Negatives are not available for viewing. Some restrictions on open reel audio tapes.
Photo Lot 2011-02, Alixa Naff photographs of Europe, the Middle East and the Mediterranean and audio tapes on Mediterranean folklore, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution.
Indians of North America -- Great Plains Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Pages
Place:
Iowa
Date:
undated
Scope and Contents:
Contents: Day and his sons (Oto); copy of letter from a group of Indians (including Joseph LaFlesche) to Col. Meacham, May 8, 1879; The Orphan (Oto); Ishcinke and Heke; Mishcine wekan etawe; Utwaqe and Mishcine (Oto); The Rabbit and the Grasshoppers (Oto); The Snake and the Ring (Oto); How the Rabbit killed the Bears (Oto); an Iowa fable told by Charles Morgan's father to Mrs LaFlesche; an Oto story, told to Mrs Mary LaFlesche in her youth.
Local Numbers:
NAA MS.4800: (3.3.1) [304]
Local Note:
Old number 1411 (part)
typescript and autograph document
Other Title:
Day and his sons
The Orphan
Ishcinke and Heke
Mishcine wekan etawe
Utwaqe and Mishcine
The Rabbit and the Grasshoppers
The Snake and the Ring
How the Rabbit killed the Bears
Collection Restrictions:
The James O. Dorsey Papers are open for research. Access to the James O. Dorsey Papers requires an appointment
Manuscript 4800 James O. Dorsey papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Creation of this finding aid was funded through support from the Arcadia Fund.
Digitization and preparation of additional materials for online access has been funded also by the National Science Foundation under BCS Grant No. 1561167 and the Recovering Voices initiative at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
Language and languages -- Documentation Search this
Collection Citation:
Manuscript 4800 James O. Dorsey papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Creation of this finding aid was funded through support from the Arcadia Fund.
Digitization and preparation of additional materials for online access has been funded also by the National Science Foundation under BCS Grant No. 1561167 and the Recovering Voices initiative at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
A.P.S. Number 497.3 B63c Contents: Dakota Texts from the Sword Manuscript [1876-1909; 1938]. Edited and translated by E. Deloria. 382 L. X 8a.18 Old Dakota legends [no date, 1937?] Texts with literal and free translations and with ethnographic and linguistic notes. 358 L. X 8a.21. Dakota autobiographies [ca. 1937]. 382 L. X 8a.4. Dakota commentary on Walker's texts [1937]. 47, 40 L. X 8a.5.
Indians of North America -- Great Plains Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Pages
Date:
circa 1889
1889 ?
Scope and Contents:
Consists of Dhegiha texts prepared for publication in "The Cegiha Language," Contributions to North American Ethnology VI, but withheld by order of J. W. Powell. Dhegiha texts with interlinear and free translations and notes. Includes "Ictinike's adventure as a woman: an Omaha myth," "The Raccoon and the Coyote," both told by George Miller; "Ponka Story," told by One Horn; and letter from Joseph LaFlesche to T. H. Tibbles, December, 1879.
Consists of Dhegiha texts prepared for publication in "The Cegiha Language," CNAE VI, Washington, D. C., 1890, but with held by order of J. W. Powell. Dhegiha texts with interlinear and free translations and notes. Includes "Ictinike's adventure as a woman: an Omaha myth," "The Raccoon and the Coyote," both told by George Miller; "Ponka Story," told by One Horn; letter from Joseph LaFlesche to T. H. Tibbles, December, 1879.
Local Numbers:
NAA MS.4800: (3.2.1) [159]
Local Note:
Dorsey Number 89-K. Old number 1462 (complete)
typescript and autograph document
Other Title:
Ictinikie's adventure as a woman: an Omaha myth
The Raccoon and the Coyote
Ponka Story
Collection Restrictions:
The James O. Dorsey Papers are open for research. Access to the James O. Dorsey Papers requires an appointment
Language and languages -- Documentation Search this
Collection Citation:
Manuscript 4800 James O. Dorsey papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Creation of this finding aid was funded through support from the Arcadia Fund.
Digitization and preparation of additional materials for online access has been funded also by the National Science Foundation under BCS Grant No. 1561167 and the Recovering Voices initiative at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
Indians of North America -- Great Plains Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Pages
Scope and Contents:
Contents: "The Brother, sister, and the Red Bird;" "The Chief's son, Snake-woman, and the Thunders;" "Two-faces and the Brothers...told by Pacin-nanpaji;" and "The adventures of Haxige: Pacin-nanpaji's version."
Local Numbers:
NAA MS.4800: (3.2.1.1) [207]
Local Note:
Old number 3708
typescript and autograph document
Other Title:
The Brother, sister, and the Red bird
The Chief's son, Snake-woman, and the Thunders
Two-faces and the Brothers...told by Pacin-nanpaji
The adventures of Haxige: Pacin-nanpaji's version
Collection Restrictions:
The James O. Dorsey Papers are open for research. Access to the James O. Dorsey Papers requires an appointment
Language and languages -- Documentation Search this
Collection Citation:
Manuscript 4800 James O. Dorsey papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Creation of this finding aid was funded through support from the Arcadia Fund.
Digitization and preparation of additional materials for online access has been funded also by the National Science Foundation under BCS Grant No. 1561167 and the Recovering Voices initiative at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
The Frank A. Dubinskas papers document his research into the social aspects of automated manufacturing at Apple Computer in the 1990s through correspondence, field note, reports, and slides; his teaching career at Boston College and Hamline University through course evaluations, lecture notes, and tenure materials; and his early anthropological research including his study of slavonian folklore and his study of the Mende in Sierra Leone through correspondence, photographs, and publications.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.
Biographical Note:
Frank A. Dubinskas (1946-1993) earned a B.A. in anthropology from Yale University in 1972 and a M.A. (1976) and Ph.D. (1983) in Anthropology from Stanford University. During the 1970s, he studied Slavonian folklore and the Sande Society of the Mende in Sierra Leone. Dubinskas is best known for his pioneering work in the field of the anthropology of science and technology. He taught classes in organizational behavior at Boston College and Hamline University.
Provenance:
Received from Anna Hargreaves and Dorothy W. Dubinskas in 1998 and 2000.
Restrictions:
Some material may be restricted for privacy reasons.
Access to the Frank A. Dubinskas papers requires an appointment.
The Horticultural subjects vertical file contains materials related to garden history, landscape architecture, garden furniture and ornaments, gardening practices and design, horticulture, conservation, plant folklore and other topics compiled from various published sources.
Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
To a considerable degree, the James H. Howard papers consist of manuscript copies of articles, book, speeches, and reviews that document his professional work in anthropology, ethnology, ethnohistory, archeology, linguistics, musicology, and folklore between 1950 and 1982. Among these are a few unpublished items. Notes are relatively scant, there being somewhat appreciable materials for the Chippewa, Choctaw, Creek, Dakota, Omaha, Ponca, Seminole, and Shawnee. The chief field materials represented in the collection are sound recordings and photographs, but many of the latter are yet to be unidentified. A series of color photographs of Indian artifacts in folders are mostly identified and represent the extensive American Indian Cultural collection of costumes and artifacts that Howard acquired and created. Other documents include copies of papers and other research materials of colleagues. There is very little original material related to archeological work in the collection and that which is present concerns contract work for the Lone State Steel Company.
Scope and Contents:
The James Henri Howard papers document his research and professional activities from 1949-1982 and primarily deal with his work as an anthropologist, archeologist, and ethnologist, studying Native American languages & cultures. The collection consists of Series 1 correspondence; Series 2 writings and research, which consists of subject files (language and culture research materials), manuscripts, research proposals, Indian claim case materials, Howard's publications, publications of others, and bibliographical materials; Series 3 sound recordings of Native American music and dance; Series 4 photographs; and Series 5 drawings and artwork.
Howard was also a linguist, musicologist, and folklorist, as well as an informed and able practitioner in the fields of dance and handicrafts. His notable books include Choctaw Music and Dance; Oklahoma Seminoles: Medicines, Magic, and Religion; and Shawnee! The Ceremonialism of a Native American Tribe and its Cultural Background.
Some materials are oversize, specifically these three Winter Count items: 1. a Dakota Winter Count made of cloth in 1953 at the request of James H. Howard, 2. a drawing of British Museum Winter Count on 4 sheets of paper, and 3. Photographs of a Winter Count.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged in 5 series: Series 1. Correspondence, 1960-1982, undated; Series 2. Writings and Research, 1824-1992; Series 3. Sound Recordings, 1960-1979; Series 4. Photographs, 1879-1985; Series 5. Drawings and Artwork, 1928-1982.
Chronology:
1925 -- James Henri Howard was born on September 10 in Redfield, South Dakota.
1949 -- Received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska.
1950 -- Received his Master of Arts from the University of Nebraska and began a prolific record of publishing.
1950-1953 -- Began his first professional employment as an archaeologist and preparator at the North Dakota State Historical Museum in Bismarck.
1955-1957 -- Was a museum lecturer at the Kansas City (Missouri) Museum.
1957 -- James H. Howard received his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan. Joined the staff of the Smithsonian's River Basin Surveys in the summer.
1957-1963 -- Taught anthropology at the University of North Dakota.
1962 -- Chief archeologist at the Fortress of Louisberg Archeological Project in Nova Scotia.
1963-1968 -- Taught anthropology at the University of South Dakota; State Archeologist of South Dakota; Director of the W. H. Over Dakota Museum.
1963-1966 -- Director of the Institute of Indian Studies, University of South Dakota.
1968-1982 -- Associate professor of anthropology at Oklahoma State University at Stillwater (became a full professor in 1971).
1979 -- Consulted for exhibitions at the Western Heritage Museum in Omaha, Nebraska.
1982 -- Died October 1 after a brief illness.
Biographical/Historical note:
James H. Howard was trained in anthropology at the University of Nebraska (B.A., 1949; M.A., 1950) and the University of Michigan (Ph.D., 1957). In 1950-1953, he served as archeologist and preparator at the North Dakota State Historical Museum; and, in 1955-1957, he was on the staff of the Kansas City (Missouri) Museum. During the summer of 1957, he joined the staff of the Smithsonian's River Basin Surveys. Between 1957 and 1963, he taught anthropology at the Universtity of North Dakota. Between 1963 and 1968, he served in several capacities with the University of South Dakota including assistant and associate professor, director of the Institute of Indian Studies (1963-1966), and Director of the W.H. Over Museum (1963-1968). In 1968, he joined the Department of Sociology at Oklahoma State University, where he achieved the rank of professor in 1970. In 1979, he was a consultant for exhibitions at the Western Heritage Museum in Omaha, Nebraska.
Howard's abiding interest were the people of North America, whom he studied both as an ethnologist and archeologist. Between 1949 and 1982, he worked with the Ponca, Omaha, Yankton and Yaktonai Dakota, Yamasee, Plains Ojibwa (or Bungi), Delaware, Seneca-Cayuga, Prairie Potatwatomi of Kansas, Mississipi and Oklahoma Choctaw, Oklahoma Seminole, and Pawnee. His interest in these people varied from group to group. With some he carried out general culture studies; with other, special studies of such phenomena as ceremonies, art, dance, and music. For some, he was interest in environmental adaptation and land use, the latter particularly for the Pawnee, Yankton Dakota, Plains Ojibwa, Turtle Mountain Chippewa, and Ponca, for which he served as consultant and expert witness in suits brought before the United Stated Indian Claims Commisssion. A long-time museum man, Howard was also interested in items of Indian dress, articles associated with ceremonies, and other artifacts. He was "a thoroughgoing participant-observer and was a member of the Ponca Hethuska Society, a sharer in ceremonial activities of many Plains tribes, and a first-rate 'powwow man'." (American Anthropologist 1986, 88:692).
As an archeologist, Howard worked at Like-a-Fishhook Village in North Dakota, Spawn Mound and other sites in South Dakota, Gavin Point in Nebraska and South Dakota, Weston and Hogshooter sites in Oklahoma, and the Fortess of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia. He also conducted surveys for the Lone Star Steel Company in Haskall, Latimer, Le Flore and Pittsburg counties in Oklahoma.
Related Materials:
Howard's American Indian Cultural Collection of Costumes and Artifacts, that he acquired and created during his lifetime, is currently located at the Milwaukee Public Museum. In Boxes 19-21 of the James Henri Howard Papers, there are photographs with accompanying captions and descriptions in binders of his American Indian Cultural Collection of Costumes and Artifacts that his widow, Elfriede Heinze Howard, created in order to sell the collection to a museum.
Provenance:
These papers were donated to the National Anthropological Archives by James Henri Howard's wife,
Elfriede Heinz Howard, in 1988-1990, 1992, & 1994.
Restrictions:
The James Henri Howard papers are open for research.
Access to the James Henri Howard papers requires an appointment.
Rights:
Contact repository for terms of use.
Topic:
Indians of North America -- Southern states Search this
Jerry Leach was one of the founding faculty members of the University of Papua New Guinea, serving as lecturer at the university from 1969 to 1973. During this period he studied folklore and culture change in the Trobriand Islands, which he described in his thesis "The Kabisawali Movement in the Trobriand Islands" (1978) and in his documentary film, "Trobriand Cricket: An Ingenious Response to Colonialism." This collection consists of audio recordings and transcripts of Trobriand Folklore recorded by Jerry Leach between 1969 and 1974 as well as audio recordings of the Kula Conference held at King's College, Cambridge, England, in July 1978.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of audio recordings and transcripts of Trobriand folklore recorded by Jerry Leach between 1969 and 1974 as well as audio recordings of the Kula Conference held at King's College, Cambridge, England, in July 1978. The transcripts are complete and include translations.
Arrangement note:
Collection is arranged into three series: 1) Trobriand Foklore Transcripts and Translations; 2) Trobriand Folklore Sound Recordings; 3) Kula Conference Sound Recordings.
Biographical / Historical:
Jerry W. Leach earned a B.A. in History from Emory University; a M.A. in Social Anthropology and the Middle East from the University of California, Berkeley; and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Cambridge University. Leach was one of the founding faculty members of the University of Papua New Guinea, serving as lecturer at the university from 1969 to 1973. During this period he studied folklore and culture change in the Trobriand Islands, which he described in his thesis "The Kabisawali Movement in the Trobriand Islands" (1978) and his documentary film, "Trobriand Cricket: An Ingenious Response to Colonialism."
Leach has held a number of positions over the years. In addition to serving as an assistant lecturer at Cambridge University from 1974 to 1979, Leach served as Deputy Director of Strategic Technology Affairs for the U.S. State Department; White House Director of International Economic Affairs (NSC); Peace Corps Regional Director for Eastern Europe, the Soviet Republics, Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific; National President of the World Affairs Council of America; and Director of the American Studies Center at the American University of Cairo.
Related Materials:
"Trobiand Cricket: An Ingenious Response to Colonialism" both edited film and associated footage are available for research at the Human Studies Film Archives.
Restrictions:
The Jerry W. Leach Trobriand papers and sound recordings are open for research.
This collection contains John and Ann Fischer's correspondence, field notes, manuscripts, microfilm, sound recordings, and photographs relating to their work in Micronesia, Japan, and New England. Most of the materials in this collection were produced or collected by John. Although some materials have been identified as Ann's work, not all folders containing her notes have been so identified. Since John and Ann often collaborated, some of their notes are also intermixed. Materials relating to Truk and Ponape make up the bulk of the series. They not only include John and Ann's field notes but also administrative materials relating to John's position as District Anthropologist and District Island Affairs Officer. Because they returned at various times to visit and update data, there are documents on Ponape from 1949 as well as from the 1970s and in between. The Fischers' work in Japan is also well-represented in the collection along with their research for John and Beatrice Whiting's Six Cultures Project. The collection also contains a number of psychological tests administered by John and Ann during their research in Ponape and Japan. The sound recordings are mostly related to Ponape, with additional recordings from Japan. Several of the photographs are from Micronesia, some of which were taken by Harry Clifford Fassett. There are also some photos from Japan as well as personal photographs. Additional items in the collection include John's correspondence and papers he wrote as a student.
Scope and Contents:
This collection contains John and Ann Fischer's correspondence, field notes, manuscripts, microfilm, sound recordings, and photographs relating to their work in Micronesia, Japan, and New England. Most of the materials in this collection were produced or collected by John. Although some materials have been identified as Ann's work, not all folders containing her notes have been so identified. Since John and Ann often collaborated, some of their notes are also intermixed.
Materials relating to Truk and Ponape make up the bulk of the series. They not only include John and Ann's field notes but also administrative materials relating to John's position as District Anthropologist and District Island Affairs Officer. Because they returned at various times to visit and update data, there are documents on Ponape from 1949 as well as from the 1970s and in between. The Fischers' work in Japan is also well-represented in the collection along with their research for John and Beatrice Whiting's Six Cultures Project.
The sound recordings are also mostly related to Ponape, with additional recordings from Japan. Several of the photographs are from Micronesia, some of which were taken by Harry Clifford Fassett. There are also some photos from Japan as well as personal photographs. Additional items in the collection include John's correspondence and papers he wrote as a student. Psychological tests administered by John and Ann during their research in Ponape and Japan are also in the collection.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged in 9 series: (1) Records and correspondence, 1948-1985; (2) Truk, 1949-1984 [Bulk 1949-1953]; (3) Ponape, 1839-1984 [Bulk 1947-1984]; (4) New England, 1954-1968 [Bulk 1955-1968]; (5) Japan, 1940-1985 [Bulk 1961-1964]; (6) Academic Work, 1946-1974; (7) Photographs, 1899-1974 [Bulk 1942-1974]; (8) Microfilm, undated; (9) Sound Recordings, 1947-1976 [Bulk 1959-1976]
Biographical Note:
Ann Kindrick Fischer was born on May 22, 1919 in Kansas City. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Kansas with a B.A. in Sociology in 1941. During World War II she lived in Washington, D.C. working as registrar at the School of Advanced International Studies. At the time she was briefly married to her first husband, James Meredith.
In 1946 Ann entered Radcliffe College's graduate program in the Department of Anthropology. As a student at Radcliffe, she met John Fischer, who was a student at Harvard. In 1949 she traveled to the Caroline Islands to study Trukese mother and child training and to marry John, who had obtained a position as District Anthropologist of the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. During their time in Micronesia, the two lived a year in Truk and three years in Ponape. While in Ponape, Ann taught English in a middle school as part of her anthropological research. She completed her dissertation, "The Role of the Trukese Mother and Its Effect on Child Training," and was awarded her Ph.D. in Anthropology in 1957.
Her interest in childrearing continued when she returned to Massachusetts from Micronesia. From 1954 to 1957, she worked as a research assistant on the Ford Foundation Six Cultures Project under the direction of John and Beatrice Whiting. Ann and her husband collaborated in a study of children in a New England town, which resulted in their 1963 article "The New Englanders of Orchard Town, USA." In 1961 and 1962, Ann and John worked together again to study childrearing in Japan, focusing on psychology and family life. When they returned from Japan, they did a follow-up study of a Japanese community in San Mateo, California.
In 1959, Ann became the first anthropologist to hold a training fellowship in biostatistics and epidemiology at Tulane University's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She joined their faculty and also taught at the Tulane School of Social Work (1960-1966) and the Anthropology Department of Newcomb College (1968-1971). In addition, Ann served as consultant to the Peace Corps on Micronesia.
Although she continued to write extensively on families and children throughout her career, her interests also included medicine, the role of women, and minority rights. She particularly became interested in the Houma Indians, publishing her article "History and Current Status of the Houma Indians" in 1965. An active supporter of the Houma Indians, she played an integral role in eliminating segregation in the school system in their area.
On April 22, 1971 Ann died of cancer at the age of 51.
Selected Bibliography
Edmonson, Munro S. "Ann Kindrick Fischer." -- Women Anthropologists: Selected Biographies -- . Ed. Ute Gacs, -- et al. -- Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1989.
Halpern, Katherine Spencer. "Ann Fischer 1919-1971." -- American Anthropologist -- , New Series, Vol. 75, No. 1. (Feb., 1973), pp. 292-294.
Marshall, M. and M. Ward. "John (Jack) Fischer (1923-1985)." -- American Anthropologist -- , New Series, Vol.89, No.1 (Mar., 1987) 134-136.
John Lyle Fischer was born in Kewanee, Illinois on July 9, 1923. His undergraduate work began at Harvard in 1940 but was interrupted by his military service during World War II. During the war he studied Japanese and served as both an interpreter and translator in the Marines. Following the war he returned to Harvard to complete his B.A. in 1946. His undergraduate honors thesis was entitled "Japanese Linguistic Morphology in Relation to Basic Cultural Traits."
John continued on at Harvard for his graduate studies in the Department of Social Relations, earning his Masters degree in Anthropology in 1949. That same year he married Ann Kindrick Meredith on his birthday. The two were stationed in Micronesia where John served as District Anthropologist (1949-1951) for the Naval Administration and later as the District Island Affairs Officer (1951-1953) under the Interior Department Administration.
When he and his family moved back to Massachusetts, he returned to his academic studies at Harvard. Drawing upon his fieldwork in Micronesia, he completed his dissertation, "Language and Folktale in Truk and Ponape: A Study in Cultural Integration," in 1954 and received his PhD from Harvard the following year. Work on the dissertation led to a lifelong interest in folklore and lingistics as well as Truk and Ponape. He revisited Ponape several times in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
From 1954 to 1955 John collaborated with his wife to study comparative child-rearing in New England. In the early 1960s, they once again conducted fieldwork together, this time in Japan, studying the psychological dynamics of family life. They later did a follow-up study of a Japanese community in San Mateo, California. Just before his death, John was planning another research trip to Japan.
In 1958, John obtained a faculty position at Tulane University teaching social anthropology. He served as chair of the Department of Anthropology from 1969 to 1971 and taught at the university until his death. By 1979 Fischer had learned Russian and taught for a year at the University of Leningrad. Fischer was also a Visiting Professor at the University of Pittsburgh in 1975 to 1976. In addition, he was active in various professional societies and consulted with several national organizations. He was co-author of 8 books as well as author of many articles and book chapters.
Following Ann's death from cancer, Fischer married Simonne Cholin Sanzenbach, who was also a professor at Tulane, in 1973. They shared many interests and published an article together in Japanese, "The Nature of Speech According to French Proverbs," in 1983.
At the age of 61, John passed away on May 16, 1985.
Related Materials:
More materials relating to John and Ann Fischer can be found in other collections at the National Anthropological Archives. MS 7516 "Documents relating to scientific investigations in Micronesia" contains the Fischers' 1954 East Caroline Handbook. More of John's correspondence can be found in the Southern Anthropological Society Records and in Saul Herbert Riesenberg's Correspondence series under the Records of the Department of Anthropology. The American Indian Chicago Conference Records contains Ann's correspondence.
Harvard University's Tozzer Library and the Bishop Museum also hold some of John's original Ponapean field notes.
Provenance:
These papers were donated to the National Anthropological Archives by Richard A. Marksbury in 2013.
Restrictions:
Access to psychological tests administered by John and Ann Fischer during their research in Ponape and Japan is restricted. Access to the John L. Fischer and Ann K. Fischer Papers requires an appointment.
Contents: Crawfish (Origin of the Earth), pages 76-77; Origin of the Yuchi, pages 74-75; Yuchi song of Dance, pages 67-70; Yuchi legend- no title, pages 54-56; Yuchi song, page 49; List of clans, pages 70-71; The remaining pages are devoted to words and sentences in the Yuchi language. (On pages 91-99 is a vocabulary taken from the copy of Albert Pike's Yuchi vocabulary, with additions by Samuel Johnson.)
Poetic version of "The Fallen Star," a myth written in Dakota by Michel Renville, printed in Stephen R. Riggs, "Dakota Grammar, Texts, and Ethnography," edited by James Owen Dorsey, CNAE IX, Washington, D.C., 1893. Pages 83-94.
