American Committee for Relief in the Near East records, 1891-1979.

Collection

Identifier: RG5334

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The American Committee for Relief in the Near East collection documents the experiences of missionaries and natives during war time through copy of correspondence, reports and drafts of documents prepared by missionaries providing war relief in Persia as well as published testimonials and war journals of residents and missionaries. These records are evidence of the atrocities they lived through and witnessed during the war.

The collection also includes communications prepared by committee officials for different national and international government authorities, friends of the missionaries and other publications. Administrative records contain financial documents, newsletters and fundraising efforts along with a sample of the “Bond to Save Life” intended to raise funds for the war relief efforts. Other items included are a large map of Persia, Afghanistan and Beluchistan dated 1891 by W.J. Turner, F.R.G.S. and the draft of a theater play titled “The Jewels of Urmi”.

Dates

1891-1938, 1979

Creator

American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief. (Organization)

Restrictions on Access

Access to this collection is unrestricted and open to the public.

Restrictions on Use

Items in this collection are subject to U.S. Copyright Law. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine the copyright status of collection items and to secure any permissions necessary for their reproduction and publication. Requests for permission to publish material must be discussed with the archivist or librarian.

Historical Note

The American Committee for Relief in the Near East, formerly American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief, was officially established in 1915, with operations through 1930. Its main objectives included fund raising and providing humanitarian relief through the establishment of hospitals, clinics, orphanages and other initiatives. This organization was supported by President Woodrow Wilson, and operated with the guidance of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions (information obtained from the Armenian National Institute).

Included in this collection are a variety of correspondence, reports, testimonials, publications, administrative and financial documents dated 1905 to 1921, as well as a large map of Persia, Afghanistan and Beluchistan by W.J. Turner, F.R.G.S. dated 1891, and a war journal printed in 1979.

This collection was donated by the Andover Newton Theological School.

Extent

0.45 Cubic Feet (1 box, 1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The American Committee for Relief in the Near East, formerly American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief, was officially established in 1915, with operations through 1930. Its main objectives included fund raising and providing humanitarian relief through the establishment of hospitals, clinics, orphanages and other initiatives (information obtained from the Armenian National Institute website).

This collection documents the experiences of missionaries and natives during war time through copy of correspondence, reports and drafts of documents as well as published testimonials, war journals and a large geographical map of Persia, Afghanistan and Beluchistan dated 1891.

Arrangement

Records have been arranged by topic and, when possible, chronologically.

Physical Characteristics

One over-sized map requires ample surface area to use. Newspaper clippings are fragile and require careful handling.

Acquisition Information

Gifted to the Congregational Library and Archives, May 2017, from the Andover Newton Theological School.

Bibliography

Adalian, Rouben P. "Near East Relief and the Armenian Genocide." Armenian National Institute. Accessed June 22, 2017. http://www.armenian-genocide.org/ner.html.