Records of the Government of American Samoa
(Record Group 284)
1900-66
206 cu. ft.
Table of Contents
- 284.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY
- 284.2 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
1900-61
121 lin. ft.
- 284.3 RECORDS OF THE HIGH COURT AND ITS PREDECESSOR, THE OFFICE
OF THE SECRETARY OF NATIVE AFFAIRS
1900-66
48 lin. ft.
- 284.3.1 Judicial records
- 284.3.2 Administrative records
- 284.4 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
1900-65
47 lin. ft.
- 284.5 STILL PICTURES (GENERAL)
Established: In the Department of the Navy by EO 125A, February 19, 1900, following Senate ratification, February 16, 1900, of the Treaty of Berlin of 1899, which made the seven islands of eastern Samoa a U.S. possession, and assigned western Samoa to Germany.
Transfers: To the Department of the Interior by EO 10264, June 29, 1951.
Functions: Administers all governmental functions over the territory.
Finding Aids: Preliminary Inventory in National Archives microfiche edition of preliminary inventories.
Related Records:
Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior, RG 48.
General Records of the Department of the Navy, 1798-1947, RG 80.
Records of the Office of Territories, RG 126.
Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 181.
Subject Access Terms: Pacific Trust Territories; World War II.
RECORDS| RECORD TYPES | RECORD LOCATIONS | QUANTITIES |
|---|---|---|
| Textual Records | San Francisco | 206 cu. ft. |
| Still Pictures | San Francisco | 4 images |
Language Note: Some records are in Samoan.
284.2 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
1900-61
121 lin. ft.
Textual Records (in San Francisco): General correspondence, 1900- 58. General subject file, 1941-61. Annual reports, 1902-56. Issuances, 1900-56. Compilations of the laws and regulations of American Samoa, 1900-46. Records relating to the Fono (consultative legislature), and copies of its proceedings, 1902- 49. Special studies prepared by the governor's office, 1912, 1916, 1940. Copies of governors' speeches and other records relating to special ceremonies, 1900-48. General records, including copies of treaties and letters from notable individuals, 1900-48. Copies of proceedings of a special Congressional commission to investigate Samoa and recommend legislation, 1930. Correspondence, petitions, and other records concerning charges made against Gov. Waldo Evans, 1921-27. Copies of records of investigative bodies, 1947-53. Records relating to the motor vessel Samoa, 1942-47. World War II intelligence files pertaining to enemy aliens and suspicious incidents, 1941-45.
Microfilm Publications: T1182.
Drawings (4 images, in San Francisco): Watercolor designs proposed for the Samoan flag, 1960.
284.3 RECORDS OF THE HIGH COURT AND ITS PREDECESSOR, THE OFFICE
OF THE SECRETARY OF NATIVE AFFAIRS
1900-66
48 lin. ft.
History: Judiciary, established as an administrative element of the Government of American Samoa, 1900, consisted of a High Court, five district courts, and village courts. Village courts abolished, 1952, with functions transferred to the district courts. High Court and subordinate courts assigned, 1903, to newly created Office of the Secretary of Native Affairs, which also had responsibility for general law enforcement and island administration. Office abolished, 1931. Superseded by a judiciary branch under a chief justice, with a newly created Office of the Attorney General assuming law enforcement and administrative functions (SEE 284.4).
Textual Records (in San Francisco): Criminal and civil case files, 1901-29. Chronological record of commitments to prison, 1904-30. Contracts between Samoans and merchants, 1904-25. Alien registration forms, 1940-46. Petitions for naturalization, 1946. Correspondence of the clerk of the High Court, 1951-52.
Microfilm Publications: T1182.
284.3.2 Administrative records
Textual Records (in San Francisco): Issuances of the American Government of Samoa, 1900-46. Annual reports of the Secretary of Native Affairs, 1901-25. General subject files, 1907-66. Miscellaneous records of the Secretary of Native Affairs, 1900- 37. Copies of proceedings of the Fono (consultative legislature), 1905-47. Census returns, 1900-45. Applications for claims against the United States for damages caused by U.S. Marines, 1953.
Microfilm Publications: T1182.
284.4 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
1900-65
47 lin. ft.
History: Established 1931, assuming law enforcement and administrative functions of abolished Office of the Secretary of Native Affairs (SEE 284.3).
Textual Records (in San Francisco): General correspondence, 1931- 64. Correspondence relating primarily to district and village matters, 1939-55. Correspondence relating to civil matters, 1944- 57. Letters sent, 1942-63. Registers of letters, telephone calls, and memorandums received, 1949-63. Register of cases received, 1952-59. Copies of issuances of the Government of American Samoa, 1938-61. Police investigative case files, 1932-62. Police station logbooks, 1957, 1962. Daily record of prisoners, expenditures for the prison mess, and arrest records, 1935-51. Copies of immigration and emigration rules and regulations, 1934-61. Records concerning immigration and emigration, 1937-65. Copies of proceedings, correspondence, and other records of various boards and commissions, 1941-59. Records pertaining to copra prices, 1908-48. Records pertaining to personnel matters, 1900-63, including a register of government officials, 1900-61.
Microfilm Publications: T1182.
284.5 STILL PICTURES (GENERAL)
SEE Drawings UNDER 284.2.
Bibliographic note: Web version based on Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States. Compiled by Robert B. Matchette et al. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1995.
3 volumes, 2428 pages.
This Web version is updated from time to time to include records processed since 1995.
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