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Four Men in Sailboat; Fishnet at Shore at Foreground

Creator:
Mooney, James, 1861-1921  Search this
Collection Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of American Ethnology  Search this
National Museum of Natural History (U.S.). Department of Anthropology  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (vintage photoprint, 005in X 004in)
Culture:
Powhatan -- Pamunkey  Search this
Pamunkey  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
1900
Local Numbers:
NAA INV.01794100

OPPS NEG.57045
Local Note:
Black and white vintage photoprint
Place:
Virginia -- Pamunkey Reservation?/King William County?
Topic:
Indians of North America -- Northeast  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs
Citation:
Photo Lot 24 SPC Se Powhatan Confederacy Pamunkey BAE No # 01794100, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
See more items in:
Photographs of Native Americans and Other Subjects
Photographs of Native Americans and Other Subjects / Series 1: America north of Mexico / Southeast / Powhatan Confederacy Pamunkey
Archival Repository:
National Anthropological Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw32e70378a-6fa9-43e5-8d6c-ddbe7a7c420c
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-naa-photolot-24-ref1538

A treasury of American Indian herbs their lore and their use for food, drugs, and medicine

Author:
Scully, Virginia  Search this
Physical description:
xiv, 306 p illus 25 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
West (U.S.)
West United States
Date:
1970
Topic:
Botany, Medical  Search this
Ethnobotany  Search this
Medicinal plants  Search this
Herbal Medicine  Search this
Plants, Medicinal  Search this
Plantes médicinales  Search this
Indians of North America--Ethnobotany  Search this
Call number:
E98.B7 S43
E98.B7S43
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_7070

Memoir of Indian wars, and other occurrences Edited by Charles A. Stuart

Author:
Stuart, John 1749-1823  Search this
Physical description:
38-68 p 23 cm
Type:
Books
History
Place:
États-Unis
Virginia
Virginie
West Virginia
Date:
1971
1833
1750-1815
Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
Ca 1600-1775 (Période coloniale)
Topic:
Wars  Search this
Point Pleasant, Battle of, W. Va., 1774  Search this
Bataille de Point Pleasant, Virg.-Occ., 1774  Search this
Peuples autochtones--Guerres  Search this
Indians of North America--Wars  Search this
History  Search this
Histoire  Search this
Call number:
F229 .S931 1971
F229.S931 1971
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_7583

Memoir of Lieut. Col. Tench Tilghman

Author:
Harrison, S. A (Samuel Alexander) 1822-1890  Search this
Physical description:
176 p port 23 cm
Type:
Traités
History
Treaties
Place:
Yorktown (Va.)
Yorktown (Virg.)
Virginia
Yorktown
Date:
1971
1876
Siege, 1781
1781 (Siège)
Topic:
Iroquois Indians--Treaties  Search this
Treaties, 1775  Search this
Iroquois  Search this
Iroquois Indians  Search this
History  Search this
Histoire  Search this
Call number:
E207.T57 H322 1971
E207.T57H322 1971
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_7612

MS 2559 Powhatan-English and English-Powhatan vocabulary

Creator:
Strachey, William, 1572?-1621  Search this
Smith, John, 1580-1631  Search this
Gatschet, Albert S. (Albert Samuel), 1832-1907  Search this
Compiler:
Hewitt, J. N. B. (John Napoleon Brinton), 1859-1937  Search this
Extent:
2,300 Items (ca. 2300 cards)
Culture:
Powhatan  Search this
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
undated
Scope and Contents:
Copied from Strachey, "The Historie of Travaile into Virginia...," 1849, and Smith, "Voyages."
Contents: 1) Powhatan-English cards, typed in blue, presumably compiled from Strachey by J. N. B. Hewitt (Hewitt given as collector on old catalog card). Interfiled in this section are cards in the handwriting of A. S. Gatschet, containing place-names and other expressions, some but not all attributed to "J. Smith, Voyages; presumably all handwritten cards are from Smith. 2) English-Powhatan cards (Powhatan first, but alphabetized according to English meaning), typed in black, presumably compiled from Strachey by Hewitt. Interfiled in this section are a few handwritten cards, mostly of the same words as the typed cards; handwriting is unidentified, and cards contain no indication of the source.
Local Numbers:
NAA MS 2559
Topic:
Names, place -- Powhatan  Search this
Language and languages -- Documentation  Search this
Indians of North America -- Northeast  Search this
Citation:
Manuscript 2559, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Identifier:
NAA.MS2559
Archival Repository:
National Anthropological Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw35364a298-a7b9-40a3-b7f1-e79ced08670f
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-naa-ms2559
Online Media:

MS 1449 A.S. Gatschet Vocabularies and Other Linguistic Notes

Creator:
Gatschet, Albert S. (Albert Samuel), 1832-1907  Search this
Petroff, Ivan  Search this
Latham, R. G. (Robert Gordon), 1812-1888  Search this
Brown, J. Ross  Search this
McDonald, Furman  Search this
Smith, Nimrod Tom  Search this
Hoffman, Walter James, 1846-1899  Search this
W., H. D.  Search this
Dalrymple, Edwin A., 1818-1881  Search this
Shea, John Gilmary, 1824-1892  Search this
Smith, Buckingham, 1810-1871  Search this
Marban, M. P. P. Pedro  Search this
Rohde  Search this
Bruhl  Search this
Pinart, A. L. (Alphonse Louis), 1852-1911  Search this
Pike, Albert, 1809-1891  Search this
Informant:
Tomazin, Ignatius, 1843-1916  Search this
Porter, Pleasant  Search this
Naumoff  Search this
Kamilkoishin ?, Nicolai  Search this
Robertson, A. E. W. (Ann Eliza Worcester), 1826-1905  Search this
Correspondent:
Eells, Myron, 1843-1907  Search this
Denison, James D.  Search this
McCain, Frank  Search this
Extent:
253 Pages
Culture:
Chippewa  Search this
Seminole Indians  Search this
Anishinaabe (Chippewa/Ojibwa)  Search this
Quechan (Yuma/Cuchan)  Search this
American Indian -- California  Search this
Hoh  Search this
Eskimos  Search this
Chugach  Search this
Kuskwogmiut Yup'ik (Kuskokwim Eskimo)  Search this
Kiowa  Search this
Yokuts  Search this
Cherokee  Search this
Quechua  Search this
Coushatta (Koasati)  Search this
Catawba Indians  Search this
Chitimacha  Search this
Seminole  Search this
Euchee (Yuchi)  Search this
Apalachee (archaeological)  Search this
Beothuk Indians  Search this
Natchez  Search this
Quileute  Search this
Klamath  Search this
Hitchiti Seminole  Search this
Chimakum  Search this
Woccon  Search this
Pamunkey  Search this
Moxo (Mojo)  Search this
Indians of North America -- California  Search this
Indians of North America -- Subarctic  Search this
Arctic peoples  Search this
Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America  Search this
Indians of North America -- Great Plains  Search this
Indians of North America -- Plateau  Search this
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Pages
Newsclippings
Place:
Alaska -- Names, place
Alaska -- Names, tribal
California
South America
Bolivia
Peru
Date:
ca. 1881-1886
Scope and Contents:
Contains vocabularies and other linguistic notes on a variety of American Indian languages. Mainly transcripts by Gatschet from other sources; includes some material recorded by Gatschet, and a few original manuscripts sent to him by others.
Contents: Alaska: Ms Vocabulary 1449, pages 49-52. Petroff, Ivan. "Aliaskan Names, Ivan Petroff." 2 pages, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. List of Alaskan place and tribal names with notes on each. Apalachee: Ms Vocabulary 1449, pages 103-104. [Gatschet, A. S.] Apalachee [vocabulary], with Pl[easant] Porter [Creek inft.]." 2 pages, in Gatschet's handwriting. Comparison of Apalachee words with Creek. Gatschet indicates: "(Copied in Apal. book, July 1889)." Beothuk: Ms. Vocabulary 1449, pages 27-41. [Gatschet, A. S.] Beothuk vocabularies, notes, and bibliographic references. 14 1/2 pages, mostly in Gatschet's handwriting. (pages 27-28 and 35-36 are in R. G. Latham's hand.) Working notes for Gatschet's published article on Beothuk -- comment by M. R. Haas, 11/58. California (Yuman ?): Ms Vocabulary 1449, pages 122-123; 124 (?) Brown, J. Ross Extract from "J. Ross Brown. Sketch of the exploration of lower Cal. San Franc[isco ?], 1869. H. H. Bancroft & Co., 177 pp." 2 pages, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. Miscellaneous notes on lower California tribes and languages, with list of some of the tribes in the area and their approximate locations. California: Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 148. [Gatschet, A. S.] Bibliographic references relating to California. 1 page, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. Furman, McDonald Ms Vocabulary 1449 file: Catawba. Page 159 "An Indian's Petition." No date. Newsclipping. 1 slip. Ms Vocabulary 1449 Woccon and Catawba comparative vocabulary No date. Autograph document. 6 pages. Pages 87-89 and 93-94. Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 186a and ff. Eells, M. Comparison of numerals in Chemakum, Quileute, and Hoh, 1 page and accompanying letter to A. S. Gatschet, August 24, 1883, from M. Eells, Skokomish, Mason Co., Wash., 2 pages, handwritten. Ms Vocabulary pages 108-110. [Gatschet, A. S.] "Mtn. Cherokee's names (topographical). Nimrod Tom Smith [inft ?], 1/2 breed, in Swain Co., North Car., P. O. Quallatown...April 18, '82." 3 pages, in Gatschet's handwriting. List of Cherokee place names and locations. Chippewa: Ms Vocabulary 1449, pages 178-80. [Gatschet, A. S.] "Odjibwe - Local and tribal names. Ign. Tomazin [inft.], Jan. 31, '83." 3 pages, in Gatschet's handwriting. Also (page 180) short extract from Dorman, Primitive Superstitions, page 148, on Ojibwa cannibalism, in Gatschet's handwriting.
Chitimacha: Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 85 (top). [Gatschet, A. S.] "Shetimasha" vocabulary of 8 words, translated into French. 1/2 page, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. Eskimo: Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 45. Hoffman, Dr W. J. "Eskimo text obtained by Dr W. J. Hoffman, at San Francisco, Cal., from Naumoff, an Eskimo from Kadiak..." No date. 1 page in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. Includes text and inter-linear translation, plus translation of same story from sign language. Note by Gatschet indicates that text is not in Kodiak dialect. Eskimo (Chugach) Ms Vocabulary 1449, pages 53-66. Petroff, Ivan "Vocabulary of Tchugatch-Inuit. Taken by Ivan Petroff, in June, 1881, at various places, chiefly at Nu'tchik or Port Etches, abt. 60 1/2 N. Lat. From full bloods. 14 pages, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. Also contains comparison with "Tchiglit" (Kopagmiut), in Gatschet's handwriting. "Partly entered in Mscr. vocab. Vol. 3." Eskimo (Kuskwogmiut): Ms Vocabulary 1449, pages 76-84; 85-86; 95-96. [Petroff, Ivan ?] "Kuskokvog-miut (Inuit) [vocabulary], from Nicolai Kamilkoishin [?] native of the tribe educated at the Russian Mission, Yukon R., at Ikomiut." 13 pages, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. Partly entered in Mscr. vocabulary, Volume IIId (note in Gatschet's handwriting.) Eskimo: Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 249. W--, H. D. "A curious race. The Mutes of northern Alaska. Their manner of living. Peculiar family relations - superstitions and queer customs." From the San Francisco Chronicle, Sunday November 14, 1886. 1 page, newsclipping. Hitchiti: Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 203 (bottom), 204 (bottom), 205. Robertson, Mrs A. E. "Acts. VIV, ii in Hitchiti" (page 203); "Hitchiti words from Mrs Robertson" (204); "Hitchiti verbs, by Mrs Robertson" (205). 3 pages, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. Kiowa: Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 26. Gatschet, A. S. "Phonetics of the Kayowe Language, by Albert S. Gatschet. Read before the A.A.A.S., Cincinnati, 1881." 1 page, clipping from published article. Note in margin in Gatschet's handwriting reads: "Science of Sept. 17, 1881. By John Michels, New York."
Klamath: Ms Vocabulary 1449, pages 133-136; 143-147. [Gatschet, A. S.] Queries relating to the Klamath language by Gatschet, with answers written in by various Indians from the Klamath Agency, Oregon (cf. letter of J. G. Dennison, page 142 of this manuscript). 9 pages, partially in Gatschet's handwriting. Klamath: Ms 1449, pages 137-142. Denison, James D. "Story of the birth of Aisis," a Klamath legend, and accompanying letter from J. G. Dennison to A. S. Gatschet, August 29, 1880, Klamath Agency, Oregon. 6 pages, handwritten. Klamath: Ms Vocabulary 1449, pages 149-152. McCain, Frank Letter to A. S. Gatschet, January 30, 1880, from Frank McCain, Klamath Indian Agency, Lake Co., Oregon, containing 22 word Klamath vocabulary. 4 pages, handwritten. Koasati: Ms Vocabulary 1449, pages 102; 204. Robertson, Mrs A. E. [and A. S. Gatschet] "Koassadi. Supplement to words by Mrs A. E. Robertson, copied in Vocab. No. 2, obtained from [---illeg.]"; short vocabulary of verbs "from vocab. Vol 2, Koassati of Mrs Robertson"; and passage from "Actorum XIV, 11, in Koasata." 2 pages, in A S. Gatschet's handwriting. Page 102 contains a short list of Koasati words (probably from Mrs Robertson) with corresponding Choctaw equivalents (supplied by Gatschet [?] from the "Ch. grammar"; passage from Acts XIV, ii in Koasati with inter-linear translation, presumably by Gatschet; and list of Koasati verbs, no source mentioned. Page 204 contains the same bible passage in Koasati, with slightly different English translation, and list of same verbs, identified as being from "vocab. Vol 2...of Mrs Robertson." Pamunkey: Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 46. Dalrymple, Rev Mr 17 word Pamunkey vocabulary collected by Rev Dalrymple in 1844 at King William County, Virginia. (Hist Mag., N. Y. II, page 182) and short note from J. G. Shea. 1 page, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. See National Anthropological Archives Manuscript 4069, referring to the original of the Dalrymple Manuscript in Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore.
Seminole: Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 182. [Buckingham-Smith, etc. ?] "Seminole Local Names. Buck. Smith, Beach, p. 125 (with Stidham)." 1 page, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. South America (Mojo): Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 187. Marban, M. P. P. Pedro "Moxo 6 Mojo. M.P.P. Pedro Marban, de la Compania de Jesus, Superior [ ]. Arte de la Lengua Moxa, con su vacabulario y cathecismo. Colegio de San Pablo (Lima), 1701. pages 664, etc." 1 page, in Gatschet's handwriting. Notes on Mojo language. South America (Miscellaneous): Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 128. Rohde, [ ] "Rohde on Sudamerika"...(1883-84)." 1 page, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. Miscellaneous extracts relating to South American Indian tribes. South America (Miscellaneous): Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 97-101. Miscellaneous notes on South America copied by Gatschet from various published sources. 5 pages, in Gatschet's handwriting. South America Peru: (Quechua): Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 239. Bruhl, -- "Inquiries by Bruhl on Kechua. Oct. 1885." 1 page, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. 9 word Quechua vocabulary. Yokuts (Cholovone): Ms Vocabulary 1449, pages 231-236. Pinart, Alph. L. "Yatchikumne [Cholovone, in Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin 30], near Stockton, Cal. Alp. L. Pinart, 1880." 6 pages, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. Notes (written in French) on the various Cholovone dialects, and vocabulary with some words translated into English and some into Spanish. Yuchi and Natchez: Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 106 Pike, Gen Albert "Elements of Inflection [of the verb to have]. Yuchi (Pike, p.--) & Naktche." 1 page, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. Yuchi and Natchez: Ms Vocabulary 1449, page 107 Pike, Gen. Albert "Albert Pike's Vocabularies, 18.... Yuchi & Naktche." 1 page, in A. S. Gatschet's handwriting. Comparison of 33 words in Yuchi and Natchez. Yuchi: Ms Vocabulary 1449, pages 201-203. Robertson, Mrs A. E. "Yutchi [vocabulary] transliterated from mscr. of Mrs. Robertson, 1873 ?." 3 pages, in Gatschet's handwriting. Also contains passage from bible (Acts XIV, ii) apparently in Yuchi, with interlinear translation.
Local Numbers:
NAA MS 1449
Topic:
Names, place -- Chippewa  Search this
Names, tribal -- Chippewa  Search this
Names, place -- Alaska  Search this
Names, tribal -- Alaska  Search this
Chemakum Indians  Search this
Numbers  Search this
Quileute Indians  Search this
Hoh  Search this
Cannibalism  Search this
Names, place  Search this
Klamath Indians  Search this
Folklore  Search this
Language and languages -- Documentation  Search this
Creek  Search this
Indians of North America -- Northeast  Search this
Indians of North America -- Southern states  Search this
Genre/Form:
Newsclippings
Citation:
Manuscript 1449, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Identifier:
NAA.MS1449
Archival Repository:
National Anthropological Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3dafd8d43-beb2-4676-9810-224ec9fb4c35
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-naa-ms1449
Online Media:

MS 1912 Assorted historical texts

Collector:
Mooney, James, 1861-1921  Search this
Addressee:
Preston, William Col  Search this
Creator:
Springstone, William  Search this
Names:
Raven Chief  Search this
Culture:
Odawa (Ottawa)  Search this
Chippewa  Search this
Anishinaabe (Chippewa/Ojibwa)  Search this
Potawatomi  Search this
Illinois Indians  Search this
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
undated
Scope and Contents:
Contains copy of letter dated August 9, 1780, addressed to Col William Preston, relative to a threatened attack by the Indians (Cherokee), signed by Jas. Martin. Also copy of an affidavit by William Springstone, formerly a trader in the Cherokee town of Sciligo (Tciligo) referring to a "treaty" between Raven Chief of the Cherokee and the British Agent in Georgia, and an agreement to attack the inhabitants of Virginia and Carolina. (undated) Includes note on "Black Padoucas" (Bowles, (1792) quoted by Bowen, 1876. Note on the Illinois, Ottawa, Chippewa and Potawatomi, and the Miami,-purchase of land by the U. S. Notes on Civil War, etc.
Bibliographic notes from "Arthur, John Preston- Western N. C., 1730 to 1913. Published by the D.A.R. of (?), Raleigh, Edwards and Broughton, 1914."
Local Numbers:
NAA MS 1912
Topic:
Treaties -- Cherokee  Search this
Land tenure and claims -- Miami  Search this
Indians of North America -- Northeast  Search this
Citation:
Manuscript 1912, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Identifier:
NAA.MS1912
Archival Repository:
National Anthropological Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3fb30caf2-a2d9-4f76-802f-832c1876cbb7
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-naa-ms1912
Online Media:

MS 4800 James O. Dorsey papers

Creator:
Dorsey, James Owen, 1848-1895  Search this
Names:
Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of American Ethnology  Search this
Bushotter, George, 1864-1892  Search this
Gatschet, Albert S. (Albert Samuel), 1832-1907  Search this
Hewitt, J. N. B. (John Napoleon Brinton), 1859-1937  Search this
Mooney, James, 1861-1921  Search this
Powell, John Wesley, 1834-1902  Search this
Riggs, Stephen Return, 1812-1883  Search this
Extent:
30 Linear feet (70 boxes, 1 oversized box, 20 manuscript envelopes, 4 rolled maps, and 23 map folders)
Culture:
Indians of North America -- Subarctic  Search this
Athapascan Indians  Search this
Catawba Indians  Search this
Minitari (Hidatsa)  Search this
Numakiki (Mandan)  Search this
Biloxi Indians  Search this
Tutelo  Search this
Iowa  Search this
Chiwere  Search this
Ho-Chunk (Winnebago)  Search this
Oto  Search this
Quapaw Indians  Search this
Osage  Search this
Sioux  Search this
Lakota (Teton/Western Sioux)  Search this
Dhegiha Indians  Search this
Assiniboine (Stoney)  Search this
Ponca  Search this
Omaha  Search this
Tututni (Tutuni)  Search this
Kaw (Kansa)  Search this
Siletz  Search this
Coos (Kusan)  Search this
Yaquina (Yakwina)  Search this
Arctic peoples  Search this
Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America  Search this
Indians of North America -- Great Plains  Search this
Indians of North America -- Southeast  Search this
Takelma (Rogue River Indians)  Search this
Klikitat  Search this
Chasta Costa (Chastacosta)  Search this
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Field notes
Drawings
Vocabulary
Folklore
Sermons
Manuscripts
Obituaries
Correspondence
Newspaper clippings
Place:
Siletz Indian Reservation (Or.)
Date:
circa 1870-1956
bulk 1870-1895
Summary:
Reverend James Owen Dorsey (1848-1895) was a missionary and Bureau of American Ethnology ethnologist who conducted extensive research on Siouan tribes and languages.The papers of James Owen Dorsey comprise mostly ethnographic and linguistic materials on various tribes of the Siouan language family as well as tribes from Siletz Reservation in Oregon. These materials include texts and letters with interlineal translations; grammar notes; dictionaries; drawings; and his manuscripts. In addition, the collection contains Dorsey's correspondence, newspaper clippings, his obituaries, and reprints.
Scope and Contents:
This collection contains James O. Dorsey's research and writings as a BAE ethnologist, as well as his earlier work as a missionary among the Ponca. The vast majority of the collection pertains to his research on Siouan-Catawban languages, including the Dakota and Dhegiha languages, Chiwere, Winnebago, Mandan, Hidatsa, Tutelo, Biloxi, and Catawba. His research on Athapascan, Kusan, Takilman, and Yakonan languages from his field work at Siletz Reservation are also present, as well as some notes on the Caddoan languages. Dorsey's research files include linguistic and ethnological field notes, reading notes, stories and myths, vocabularies, drawings, and unpublished and published manuscripts. The collection also contains Omaha, Ponca, Quapaw, and Biloxi dictionaries that he compiled and materials relating to his work editing Steven Riggs' Dakota-English Dictionary. Additional noteworthy materials in the collection are Teton texts and drawings from George Bushotter and drawings by Stephen Stubbs (Kansa), Pahaule-gagli (Kansa), and George Miller (Omaha). The collection also contains Dorsey's correspondence, newspaper clippings, obituaries, and his collection of reprints.
Arrangement:
The collection is organized into 6 series: 1) Siouan; 2) Siletz Reservation; 3) Caddoan; 4) General Correspondence; 5) Personal Papers; 6) Miscellaneous & Reprints.
Biographical Note:
Reverend James Owen Dorsey (1848-1895) was a missionary and Bureau of American Ethnology ethnologist who conducted extensive research on Siouan tribes and languages.

Dorsey was born on October 31, 1848 in Baltimore, Maryland. He exhibited a talent for languages at an early age. At age 6 he learned the Hebrew alphabet and was able to read the language at age 10. In 1867 Dorsey attended the Theological Seminary of Virginia and was ordained a deacon of the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1871. In May of that year, Dorsey traveled to the Dakota Territory to serve as a missionary among the Ponca. Plagued by ill health, Dorsey was forced to end his missionary work in August 1873. By that time, however, he had learned the Ponca language well enough to converse with members of the tribe without an interpreter.

Dorsey returned to Maryland and engaged in parish work while continuing his studies of Siouan languages. His linguistic talents and knowledge of these languages attracted the attention of Major John Wesley Powell. Powell arranged for Dorsey to work among the Omaha in Nebraska from 1878 to 1880 to collect linguistic and ethnological notes. When the Bureau of American Ethnology (BAE) was established in 1879, Powell recruited Dorsey to join the staff.

As an ethnologist for the BAE, Dorsey continued his research on Siouan tribes. His studies focused on languages but also included Siouan personal names, folklore, social organization, religion, beliefs, and customs. He conducted fieldwork among the Tutelo at Six Nations on Grand River in Upper Canada (1882); the Kansa, Osage, and Quapaw in Indian Territory (1883-1884); the Biloxi at Lecompte, Rapides Parish, Louisiana (1892); and again with the Quapaw at the Quapaw Mission (1894). He also worked with Native Americans that visited DC, including George Bushotter (Teton), Philip Longtail (Winnebago), Samuel Fremont (Omaha), and Little Standing Buffalo (Ponca). He also spent time at Siletz Reservation in 1884 to collect linguistic notes on the Athapascan, Kusan, Takilman, and Yakonan stocks.

In addition to his research, Dorsey helped found the American Folklore Society and served as the first vice-president of the association. He also served as vice-president of Section H of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

At the age of 47, Dorsey died of typhoid fever on February 4, 1895.

Sources Consulted

1st-16th Annual Reports of the Bureau of American Ethnology. 1881-1897.

Hewitt, J.N.B. 1895. "James Owen Dorsey" American Anthropologist A8, 180-183.

McGee, W.J. 1895. "In Memoriam." Journal of American Folklore 8(28): 79-80.

1848 -- Born on October 31 in Baltimore, Maryland.

1871 -- Ordained a deacon of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

1871-1873 -- Served as a missionary among the Ponca in Dakota Territory.

1878-1880 -- Conducted fieldwork among the Omaha in Nebraska.

1879 -- Joined the staff of the Bureau of American Ethnology.

1882 -- Conducted fieldwork among the Tutelo at Six Nations on Grand River in Upper Canada.

1883-1884 -- Conducted fieldwork among the Kansa, Osage, and Quapaw in Indian Territory.

1887 -- Worked with George Bushotter to record information regarding the language and culture of the Dakota.

1884 -- Conducted fieldwork at Siletz Reservation.

1892 -- Conducted fieldwork among the Biloxi at Lecompte, Rapides Parish, Louisiana.

1894 -- Conducted fieldwork among the Quapaw at the Quapaw Mission in Indian Territory.

1895 -- Died of typhoid fever on February 4th at the age of 47.
Restrictions:
The James O. Dorsey Papers are open for research. Access to the James O. Dorsey Papers requires an appointment
Rights:
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Topic:
Language and languages -- Documentation  Search this
Ethnology  Search this
Indians of North America -- Northeast  Search this
Social structure  Search this
Kinship  Search this
Manners and customs  Search this
Shahaptian languages  Search this
Yakonan languages  Search this
Athapascan languages  Search this
Kusan languages  Search this
Linguistics  Search this
Siouan languages  Search this
Dhegiha language  Search this
Siuslaw Indians  Search this
Hidatsa language  Search this
Omaha language  Search this
Dakota language  Search this
Catawba language  Search this
Biloxi language  Search this
Caddoan languages  Search this
Osage language  Search this
Alsea language  Search this
Kansa language  Search this
Mandan language  Search this
Chastacosta language  Search this
Coquille language  Search this
Tutelo language  Search this
Winnebago language  Search this
Siuslaw language  Search this
Takelma language  Search this
Genre/Form:
Field notes
Drawings
Vocabulary
Folklore
Sermons
Manuscripts
Obituaries
Correspondence
Newspaper clippings
Citation:
Manuscript 4800 James O. Dorsey papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Identifier:
NAA.MS4800
See more items in:
MS 4800 James O. Dorsey papers
Archival Repository:
National Anthropological Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3261ab492-5f9d-4be7-b1f4-c24d3f5da29b
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-naa-ms4800
Online Media:

Pipe bowl and pipestem (No image available)

Culture/People:
Mattaponi  Search this
Previous owner:
Margaret Adams, Mattaponi, ca. 1851-ca. 1930  Search this
Collector:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Object Name:
Pipe bowl and pipestem (No image available)
Media/Materials:
Wood, pottery
Techniques:
Modeled
Object Type:
Pipes and Smoking
Place:
Mattaponi Reservation; King William County; Virginia; USA
Catalog Number:
9/7737
Barcode:
097737.000
See related items:
Mattaponi
Pipes and Smoking
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws60fcadac5-4a51-4fb4-add4-6d736a09bc45
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_105654

Parfleche saddle bag

Culture/People:
Northern Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Cheyenne)  Search this
Previous owner:
John Jay White, Non-Indian, 1860-1923  Search this
Lender:
John Jay White, Non-Indian, 1860-1923  Search this
Donor:
Grace Hoffman White (Virginia Grace Hoffman/Mrs. John Jay White), Non-Indian, 1862-1937  Search this
Object Name:
Parfleche saddle bag
Media/Materials:
Rawhide, pigment/pigments
Techniques:
Folded, stitched, painted, fringed
Dimensions:
34.5 x 32 cm
Object Type:
Bags/Pouches (and parts)
Place:
Lame Deer, Northern Cheyenne Reservation; Rosebud County; Montana; USA
Date created:
circa 1900
Catalog Number:
10/4392
Barcode:
104392.000
See related items:
Northern Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Cheyenne)
Bags/Pouches (and parts)
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws6b739834c-023d-493a-8eb6-3fdaca280ee5
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_111901
Online Media:

Man's coat/jacket

Culture/People:
Dene (Northern Athabascan)  Search this
Previous owner:
John Jay White, Non-Indian, 1860-1923  Search this
Lender:
John Jay White, Non-Indian, 1860-1923  Search this
Donor:
Grace Hoffman White (Virginia Grace Hoffman/Mrs. John Jay White), Non-Indian, 1862-1937  Search this
Object Name:
Man's coat/jacket
Media/Materials:
Deerhide/deerskin, glass bead/beads
Techniques:
Sewn, overlay beadwork, fringed
Dimensions:
76 x 165 cm
Object Type:
Clothing/Garments
Place:
Western Subarctic; Alaska; Canada, USA (inferred)
Catalog Number:
10/4311
Barcode:
104311.000
See related items:
Dene (Northern Athabascan)
Clothing/Garments
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws61219e498-91d0-4bd1-a0ed-7894b3f81496
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_111926
Online Media:

Headdress

Culture/People:
Northern Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Cheyenne)  Search this
Previous owner:
John Jay White, Non-Indian, 1860-1923  Search this
Lender:
John Jay White, Non-Indian, 1860-1923  Search this
Donor:
Grace Hoffman White (Virginia Grace Hoffman/Mrs. John Jay White), Non-Indian, 1862-1937  Search this
Object Name:
Headdress
Media/Materials:
Hide, eagle feather/feathers, glass bead/beads
Techniques:
Stitched, lazy/lane stitch beadwork
Object Type:
Clothing/Garments: Headwear and Headdresses
Place:
Lame Deer, Northern Cheyenne Reservation; Rosebud County; Montana; USA
Catalog Number:
10/4348
Barcode:
104348.000
See related items:
Northern Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Cheyenne)
Clothing/Garments: Headwear and Headdresses
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws6c36ebb7f-17d9-426a-99ff-3578be8cf5e2
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_111965
Online Media:

Charm/Amulet

Culture/People:
Northern Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Cheyenne)  Search this
Previous owner:
John Jay White, Non-Indian, 1860-1923  Search this
Lender:
John Jay White, Non-Indian, 1860-1923  Search this
Donor:
Grace Hoffman White (Virginia Grace Hoffman/Mrs. John Jay White), Non-Indian, 1862-1937  Search this
Object Name:
Charm/Amulet
Media/Materials:
Hide, glass bead/beads, hide thong/babiche
Techniques:
Cut, overlay beadwork, punctate
Object Type:
Personal items
Place:
Lame Deer, Northern Cheyenne Reservation; Rosebud County; Montana; USA
Catalog Number:
10/4505
Barcode:
104505.000
See related items:
Northern Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Cheyenne)
Personal items
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws6f1dfbbbc-f6a9-4208-b522-8931481782df
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_112742
Online Media:

Dough bowl

Culture/People:
Pamunkey  Search this
Artist/Maker:
Pleasant Miles, Pamunkey, ca. 1760-ca. 1840  Search this
Seller:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Previous owner:
Caroline Miles, Pamunkey, ca. 1795-1870  Search this
Margaret Adams, Mattaponi, ca. 1851-ca. 1930  Search this
Collector:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Presenter/funding source:
James Bishop Ford (James B. Ford), Non-Indian, 1844-1928  Search this
Object Name:
Dough bowl
Media/Materials:
Gum wood/Pepperidge wood
Techniques:
Carved
Dimensions:
55.4 x 30.8 x 11.4 cm
Object Type:
Food Gathering and Preparation
Place:
Pamunkey Reservation; King William County; Virginia; USA
Date created:
1800-1830
Catalog Number:
10/5708
Barcode:
105708.000
See related items:
Pamunkey
Food Gathering and Preparation
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws6438617d0-3715-43c4-a506-da462ba5e04b
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_114172
Online Media:

Vessel fragment/Potsherd

Culture/People:
probably Pamunkey (archaeological) (attributed)  Search this
Seller:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Collector:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Presenter/funding source:
James Bishop Ford (James B. Ford), Non-Indian, 1844-1928  Search this
Object Name:
Vessel fragment/Potsherd
Media/Materials:
Pottery
Techniques:
Coiled/hand built
Object Type:
Containers and Vessels
Place:
Pamunkey Reservation; King William County; Virginia; USA
Date created:
probably 1750–1900
Catalog Number:
10/5711
Barcode:
105711.002
See related items:
Pamunkey (archaeological)
Containers and Vessels
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws6c180d75a-3961-41af-8a09-06ae8a13e790
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_114177
Online Media:

Collar

Culture/People:
Mattaponi  Search this
Artist/Maker:
Margaret Adams, Mattaponi, ca. 1851-ca. 1930  Search this
Seller:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Previous owner:
Margaret Adams, Mattaponi, ca. 1851-ca. 1930  Search this
Collector:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Presenter/funding source:
James Bishop Ford (James B. Ford), Non-Indian, 1844-1928  Search this
Object Name:
Collar
Media/Materials:
Duck feather/feathers, turkey feather/feathers, duck down, cotton cord/cordage
Techniques:
Netted
Dimensions:
68 x 31 x 11 cm
Object Type:
Clothing/Garments: Accessories
Place:
Pamunkey Reservation; King William County; Virginia; USA
Date created:
1910-1920
Catalog Number:
10/5721
Barcode:
105721.000
See related items:
Mattaponi
Clothing/Garments: Accessories
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws6de183d34-e545-4790-83ca-a6cf1dd02864
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_114276
Online Media:

Basket

Culture/People:
Rappahannock  Search this
Seller:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Collector:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Presenter/funding source:
James Bishop Ford (James B. Ford), Non-Indian, 1844-1928  Search this
Object Name:
Basket
Media/Materials:
Woodsplints, wood
Techniques:
Wicker-plaited
Dimensions:
33 x 26 cm
Object Type:
Containers and Vessels
Place:
Indian Neck; King and Queen County; Virginia; USA
Date created:
1900-1930
Catalog Number:
10/5774
Barcode:
105774.000
See related items:
Rappahannock
Containers and Vessels
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws655d98f5c-07ea-4502-ac2e-543f389d2090
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_114330
Online Media:

Bead/beads

Culture/People:
probably Late Woodland Tradition (archaeological culture) (attributed)  Search this
Seller:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Collector:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Presenter/funding source:
James Bishop Ford (James B. Ford), Non-Indian, 1844-1928  Search this
Object Name:
Bead/beads
Media/Materials:
Whelk shell/shells
Techniques:
Ground, drilled
Dimensions:
1.7 x 0.8 cm
Object Type:
Adornment/Jewelry
Place:
Pamunkey Reservation; King William County; Virginia; USA
Date created:
AD 900–1600 (Late Woodland period)
Catalog Number:
10/5805
Barcode:
105805.000
See related items:
Late Woodland Tradition (archaeological culture)
Adornment/Jewelry
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws636c80f08-22f2-493e-8d42-f0adc5e2c318
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_114361
Online Media:

Eel trap/pot

Culture/People:
Patawomeck (Potomac)  Search this
Seller:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Collector:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Presenter/funding source:
James Bishop Ford (James B. Ford), Non-Indian, 1844-1928  Search this
Object Name:
Eel trap/pot
Media/Materials:
Oak splint/splints, twine/string, tree pitch/gum, wood
Techniques:
Wicker-plaited, coated, carved, tied
Dimensions:
70 x 23 x 21 cm
Object Type:
Hunting/Fishing/Warfare
Place:
Potomac Creek; Stafford County; Virginia; USA
Date created:
1900-1920
Catalog Number:
10/6558
Barcode:
106558.000
See related items:
Patawomeck (Potomac)
Hunting/Fishing/Warfare
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws6a753d7d9-2aa4-4024-a8b4-3e891c5a13e4
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_115053
Online Media:

Basket

Culture/People:
Patawomeck (Potomac)  Search this
Artist/Maker:
Luther Newton (Luther James Newton), Patawomeck (Potomac), 1859-1926  Search this
Seller:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Collector:
Dr. Frank G. Speck (Frank Gouldsmith Speck/F.G. Speck/FGS), Non-Indian, 1881-1950  Search this
Presenter/funding source:
James Bishop Ford (James B. Ford), Non-Indian, 1844-1928  Search this
Object Name:
Basket
Media/Materials:
White oak splint/splints
Techniques:
Plaited, wicker-plaited
Object Type:
Containers and Vessels
Place:
Potomac Creek; Stafford County; Virginia; USA
Date created:
1900-1920
Catalog Number:
10/6559
Barcode:
106559.000
See related items:
Patawomeck (Potomac)
Containers and Vessels
Data Source:
National Museum of the American Indian
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ws62b63c835-da4d-4952-b506-4e49e9e0fa0a
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:NMAI_115054
Online Media:

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