Human Betterment Foundation Records

The remainder of the Gosney collection was processed in 1995. Forty boxes were added, bringing the total number to 59. This completes the processing of the Gosney collection.

As with the first part of the collection, the organization of the files closely resembles that in place when the files were found. There are a number of inconsistencies of which the researcher should be aware. First, there is no comprehensive file of Foundation publications. Various pamphlets and cover letters may be found in Gosney folders 4.4, 4.9, 9.13, Historical Files E. S. Gosney box Z17, and in the Biology Divisional Records folder 4.5. The latter also contains a general inventory of the Human Betterment Foundation papers made by Lois Gosney Castle before they were put in storage. Many of the subject files in the Gosney collection contain research for and drafts of the eleven papers that eventually were published together in Popenoe's "Sterilization for Human Benefit," a draft copy of which may be found in 28.3.

Second, there is much correspondence, particularly pre-1938, that is not contained in the correspondence files. Letters which illuminate the history of the Foundation and its various projects may be found in the sterilization subject files in Section III and the printed materials files in Section IV. Correspondence that sheds light on the beginnings of the Foundation may be found in 7.2, 7.13, 8.13, and 18.2. Interest in and attempts to influence legislation by the Foundation are scattered in the correspondence files, sterilization subject files and the printed materials files. In addition to being scattered, pre-1938 correspondence does not appear to be complete. Nevertheless, there is much useful information in the collection regarding the Foundation's activities. While the guide does give some indication of the contents of the files, it is highly recommended that researchers peruse as much of the collection as possible.

During the second phase of processing, two new sections were added to the collection. The first, Section V, is divided into four parts. Part A contains files that are closely related in content to the Sterilization subject files in Section III. Parts B and C contain Paul Popenoe's analysis of the data collected from the two surveys made by the Foundation of sterilizations in California institutions. Popenoe, hired by Gosney in 1926, made the first survey that same year. The second, more comprehensive survey was made in 1933, apparently with the help of the participating institutions. Part D is comprised of survey data sheets. These contain much of the medical information the Foundation collected on patients without disclosing personal or family information. Attempting to make a complete set in the best way possible, original and first carbon copies were combined. They are organized alphabetically by institution rather than numerically. Based on extant first carbons, numerical order would have been as follows: 1-419 Norwalk Sterilizations; 800-999 Norwalk Controls; 1000-1613 Sonoma Sterilizations; 2000-2461 Patton Sterilizations; 3000-3723 Stockton Sterilizations; 4000-4392 Napa Sterilizations; 5000-5137 Agnews Sterilizations; 5800-5999 Agnews Controls; 6000-6100 Mendocino Sterilizations.

Section VI contains the Foundation's case histories of patients who were sterilized in California public institutions. These files and others containing personal information on the patients will remain closed to researchers. Consult the Caltech University Archivist for inquiries regarding the opening of these files.

Jennifer K. Stine, October 1995