rom the founding of the Department, the program always stressed the importance of field work in research. Working with native informants was critical in such endeavors, and for the first 40 years this technique was the basis of much ethnographic and linguistic research. Balancing the demands of both teaching and field research required creative strategies. Prior to 1920, one method of continuing “field” research at home was to bring native informants to campus. Through such visits, native language, in particular, could be recorded and studied in detail.
Ishi, “the last Yahi,” was one such informant who became famous when the story of his life, recounted by Theodora Kroeber, found a wide and sympathetic audience.
Alfred Louis Kroeber
Letters to J. Hinkle
10 January 1903 & 27 January 1903
In this exchange, Kroeber sought the assistance of the Tule River Indian Reservation agent to find a knowledgeable native who might come to San Francisco. When a suitable man was found, Kroeber provided a train ticket and instructions on how to travel to the Museum to meet him.
BANC MSS C-B 925 Ctn 1:2
Kroeber and Mohave Informants
BANC PIC Kroeber, Alfred Louis--POR
Butte County Sheriff
Letter of Transfer
4 September 1911
The most well-known native informant who worked with the Department was the Yana Indian who became known as Ishi. This “Letter of Transfer” makes clear the understanding between Kroeber and Butte County authorities that Ishi was to come to the Museum for purposes of linguistic research.
CU-23.1 #36.3
Ishi
Ca. 1914
BANC PIC 1980.014:26--PIC
Alfred Louis Kroeber
“The Indian Ishi”
8 September 1911
In these notes, Kroeber summarized what was known of Ishi just four days after his discovery.