Peoples Temple maintained extensive records of its activities: from community censuses taken monthly in Jonestown, to collections of letters, photographs, tape recordings, and other group-generated materials. These primary sources reveal the internal workings of the movement, and show what members were thinking and feeling. They also display political and religious attitudes held by individuals and the group.

This page also includes writings by people affected by the Temple, including its critics in the Concerned Relatives organization and government officials, which are important in understanding the People Temple story. Beyong that, some documents such as the New West article in the San Francisco section and John Moore’s sermon “A Witness to Tragedy and Resurrection” in the Aftermath section have achieved primary source status. Finally, there are numerous government documents from both state and federal agencies.

The Primary Source documents have been divided according to Peoples Temple’s most significant periods and locations.

1. Indianapolis, Indiana – 1950s -1965
2. Ukiah and Redwood Valley, California – 1965-1974
3. San Francisco and Los Angeles, California – 1972-1977
4. Guyana – 1973-1978
5. November 1978
6. Aftermath
   

Other primary sources appear under Tapes or Gallery.