Hemlock Society records, 1950-1999
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Hemlock (Society)
- Title
- Hemlock Society records
- Dates
- 1950-1999 (inclusive)19501999
- Quantity
- 41.48 cubic feet (48 boxes) including textual materials, 26 audiotapes, 138 videotapes, and 1 film reel
- Collection Number
- 4270
- Summary
- Records of an organization dedicated to exploring and expounding the options and rights of active voluntary euthanasia for the terminally ill
- Repository
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University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
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Open to all users, but access to portions of the papers restricted. Contact repository for details.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
Organization dedicated to exploring and expounding the options and rights of active voluntary euthanasia for the terminally ill. The Hemlock Society changed its name to End-of-Life Choices in 2003, and then merged to become Compassion and Choices in 2004.
Content Description
Publications, trial transcripts, videotapes, audiotapes, clippings,mailings, exhibit items, posters, memorabilia, reports, membership material, subject series, bibliographies, writings, legislation, organizational materials, interview transcripts, correspondence, newsletters.
Use of the Collection
Return to TopAdministrative Information
Arrangement
Organized into 8 accessions.
- Accession No. 4270-001, Hemlock Society records, 1980-1990
- Accession No. 4270-002, Hemlock Society records, 1970-1992
- Accession No. 4270-003, Hemlock Society records, 1978-1991
- Accession No. 4270-004, Hemlock Society records, 1950-1988
- Accession No. 4270-005, Hemlock Society records, circa 1980-1991
- Accession No. 4270-006, Hemlock Society records, circa 1980-1988
- Accession No. 4270-007, Hemlock Society records, 1986-1995
- Accession No. 4270-008, Hemlock Society records, 1987-1999
Related Materials
The Final Exit website has been regularly captured by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine since 2014. The snapshots can be viewed here: https://wayback.archive-it.org/4224/*/http://www.finalexit.org/
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Description: Accession No. 4270-001: Hemlock Society records, 1980-1990.67 cubic foot
Scope and Content: Publications, trial transcript, videotapes.
Publication are mainly those of the Hemlock Society.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Hemlock Society, 11/1/1990.
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Accession No. 4270-002: Hemlock Society records, 1970-1992
1.89 cubic feet including 24 audiotapes and 25 videotapesScope and Content: Audiotapes, videotapes, publications including hardbound monographs, clippings, mailings (only a few), exhibit items, posters, memorabilia.
Video content related primarily to right-to-die issues and euthanasia. Washington State Initiative 119, Physician-Assisted Death (1991) figures prominently. If passed, the measure would have legalized assisted death in cases of medically terminal conditions. The initiative was defeated 53.6% to 46.4%.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Hemlock Society, 5/1/1992.
Processing Info: List of videotape content transcribed from handwritten list.
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Videotapes
General Notes: Initiatives referenced are as follows:
- I-119: Death with Dignity
- I-120: Reproductive Rights
- I-553: Term Limits
- I-559: Reduce real estate tax levy
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Description: Tape 1: "Alternatives for the Incurable Person," Pullman Free U. class (35 min.); "I-119, I-120, I-553 Panels"Dates: 1991-1992Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 2: "Alternatives for the Incurable Person," Pullman Free U. class (35 min.); GMA, 12/21/1991, brief item on miracle "recovery" in MO.Dates: 1991Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 3: LWV Forum I-119 (Vancouver, WA) (26 min.); KXLY News, Ch. 4 on I-119 (5 min.)Dates: 1991Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 4: U of Idaho Cable 8, "Mostly Moscow" 4/4/1990, "Right to Die" discussion; KHQ Ch. 6 Spokane "Upfront" 4/22/1990, Rob Neil and Peter Mark (sp?); [The] City TV News 5/3/1990, short clips on 6 Ch. visit; KING-TV Seattle "Compton Report," 5/5/1990; KLEW Ch. 2 Spokane, "Soapbox 'Right to Die 2'"Dates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 5: PBS "Right to Die" date?; KXLY Spokane Ch. 4, Donahue "Right to Die" 3/30/1990; Q6 Spokane NBC "Upfront" Abortion review; CNN "Living Wills"; CNN Sonya Live "Right to Die"; Spokane TV news clips I-119, 1/2/1990; Tacoma Ch. 11 TV, I-119Dates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 6: "Borderline Medicine" Walter Conkite, 12/17/1990; "Health Insurance and Vet. Medicine" 20/20, 1/4/1990; KXLY-Spokane Ch. 4 GMA [Good Morning America] clip, 3/8/1990; PBS Frontline 4/30/1990 "Care for Mom and Dad"Dates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 7: KOMO Seattle "Town Meeting" 7/27/1990 Janet Adkins Death; PBS "Team Suicide" 1/23/1991; Ch. 9 Pullman Community Annoucements I-119 on Hemlock (?)Dates: 1990-1991Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 8: KVEV Kennewick news clips re: BCH 4/5/1990; KHQ Spokane and various news clips 6/1990; KXLY Spokane Nightline 6/6/1990; KXLY Spokane WA Medical Society clip; KXLY Donahue clip 9/26/1990' PBS Spokane "Living Willis"Dates: 1990-1991Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 9: KHQ Spokane "Upfront" 4/22/1990; "Right to Die" CNN clips 4/25/1990; KXLY Spokane "Donate Organs" Donahue, 4/27/1990; PBS Spokane "Dying in Boston Hospital, 4/27/1990; KREM Spokane "Soapbox" 7/1/1990 BCH; KSPS Spokane PBS "Forever Young" ; Ch. 9 Pullman Community CalendarDates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 10: PBS "Cruzan Case: 12/13/1989; KHQ Spokane Ch. 4 Upfront" 4/22/1990; CNN "Right to Die"; Various news clipsDates: 1989-1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 11: KUID TV (PBS) Tape of MIssouri broadcast 3/1/1990; KREM Spokane Ch. 2 CBS 60 Minutes, "Til Death Do Us Part"; Miscellaneous news clipsDates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 12: Vancouver Ch. 40 CTV-lWV panels I-120, I-553, and I-557 (duplicated from 3/4 in. original tapes) 10/3/1991Dates: 1991Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 13: Pullman C of C panels on I-119, I-120, and I-553 held at Pullman City Hall , videotape from Ch. 37 Pullman, 10/30/1991Dates: 1991Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 14: C-Span 1/28/1991 ABA program on Cruzan case; PBS Frontline "Care for Mom and Dad" 5/5/1991Dates: 1991Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 15: KLEW Spokane Ch. 2, "Euthanasia in Holland" 60 Minutes-CBS, 1/5/1986; KLEW Spokane Ch. 2 "Pill Stockpiling" 60 Minutes-CBS, 1/12/1986; C-Span 11/25/1990 "Refuse Medical Treatment"; PBS - McNeil/Lehrer 1/14/1986 "Peter Case"; CNN 12/[23]/1990 Dr. Kevorkian; Ch. 9 - Pullman Community Calendar Events I-119 noticeDates: 1986-1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 16: Panel: "Death with Dignity," Pullman City Hall, 9/18/1990, Kennedy, Von Frank, Day on panel (original master copy, camera)Dates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 17: PBS - Cruzan Case 12/13/1989; Movie: "Who Lives? Who Dies?" In progress; Movie: "Never Say Die" PBS (children's review); CNN Larry King AMA-JAMA articleDates: 1989Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 18: KXLY Spokane Ch. 4 GMA [Good Morning America] clip on living well, August 1990; CNN Sonya Live, AIDS patients, August 1990; CNN Issues and Answers, "Health Care" August 1990;Dates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 19: Various news clips on I-119; PBS Frontline, "Care for the Elderly 4/30/19??; KXLY Spokane Ch. 4 GMA [Good Morning America] 10/30/1990, "AIDS and Alzheimers"; KLEW Spokane Ch. 2 60 Minutes-CBS, "Hitler and Euthanasia" 4/14/1991Dates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 19: Various news clips on I-119; PBS Frontline, "Care for the Elderly 4/30/19??; KXLY Spokane Ch. 4 GMA [Good Morning America] 10/30/1990, "AIDS and Alzheimers"; KLEW Spokane Ch. 2 60 Minutes-CBS, "Hitler and Euthanasia" 4/14/1991Dates: 1990-1991Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 20: Community Forum: Milton-Freewater, Oregon 4/5/1990; "Right to Die" BCH and 4 others Blue MT CC sponsoredDates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 21: PBS McNeil/Lehrer segments on I-119, 10/25/1991; KXLY Spokane Ch. 4 20/20 segment on I-119, 11/1/1991; KREM Spokane Ch. 2 WA Initiatives Forum; Spo TV ??, 10/30/1991 news clipsDates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 22: National Hemlock Society: "A Time to Die"Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Description: Tape 23: ABC Sunday Night Movie: "Last Wish"Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-002
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Accession No. 4270-003: Hemlock Society records, 1978-1991
2.21 cubic feet (3 boxes)Scope and Content: Newsletters, periodicals, publications, monographs, Roper Poll report, conferences and conventions, membership material, subject series.
Processing Info: All books were removed from archival collection for cataloging. Newsletters published by Hemlock Society were removed for cataloging; newsletters of other organizations remain with the archival collection.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Bruce Harding, 3/30/1993.
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Description: 7th Biennial Conference of the World Federation Right-To-Die SocietiesDates: 1988 April 7-10Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Euthanasia - A Decade of ChangeDates: 1968-1977Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: The 1986 Guide to the Nation's Hospices, National Hospice OrganizationDates: 1986Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Hemlock Society membership materialsDates: 1992-1993Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: A living will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care plus guide to completion [template]
General Notes: Published by the Hemlock Society
Dates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003 -
Description: Association Belge pour le driot de mourir dans la dignité, revue de presseDates: 1982-1983Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Voluntary Euthanasia Society, Wellington, New ZealandDates: 1984-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: ANMD, FranceDates: 1983-1989Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Voluntary Euthanasia Society of New South WalesDates: 1980-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Japan Society for Dying with DignityDates: 1985-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Society for the Right to Die with Dignity, IndiaDates: 1983-1985Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: DMD, ColumbiaDates: 1984-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: DMD, SpainDates: 1984-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: ICVE, NetherlandsDates: 1981-1988Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: VES, LondonDates: 1978-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Western Australia Euthanasia Society (WAVES)Dates: 1984-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Victoria (VESV) AustraliaDates: 1981-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: RWS BelgiumDates: 1985-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: ADMD SwitzerlandDates: 1984-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: ADMD, BelgiumDates: 1984-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Frontlines (Newsletter of Center for Health Ethics and Policy, University of Colorado, Denver)Dates: 1986-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: VES, ScotlandDates: 1981-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Dying with Dignity, CanadaDates: 1984-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: RTVD, StockholmDates: 1978-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Alzheimer'sDates: 1985-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: World ConferenceDates: 1984, 1988Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Ethical Issues in Medicine, UCLC Medical CenterDates: 1986-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: American Association of SuicidologyDates: 1984-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Society for the Right to DieDates: 1984-1987Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Suicide Information & Education CenterDates: 1983-1985Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-003
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Description: California Medical Association Briefing BookDates: 1986Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Survey of California PhysiciansDates: 1988Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-003
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Description: World Right to Die OrganizationDates: 1981-1987Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Concern for DyingDates: 1978-1987Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-003
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Description: NRL NewsDates: 1983-1987Container: Box 3, Accession 4270-003
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Description: New Jersey Right to Life NewsDates: 1990Container: Box 3, Accession 4270-003
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Description: National Hospice OrganizationDates: 1982-1986Container: Box 3, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Humanes Leben Humanes Sterben, DGHS GermanyDates: 1981-1987Container: Box 3, Accession 4270-003
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Description: Accession No. 4270-004: Hemlock Society records, 1950-1988 (bulk 1980-1988)5.42 cubic feet (6 boxes) including 11 videotapes and 1 film reel ; 8mm.
Scope and Content: Clippings (photocopies), 1950-ca. 1984; bibliographies, writings, legislation, organizational materials, interview transcripts, videotape cassettes of television interviews, one motion-picture film, 1978-1987; and related items.
These materials document, in part, the founding of the Society and early press coverage of the right to die issue. Interview transcripts seem to have been the work of Ann Wickett for a book.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.
Videotapes may not be copied.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Hemlock Society, 5/3/1994.
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Accession No. 4270-005: Hemlock Society records, circa 1980-1991
8.66 cubic feet (11 boxes) including 102 videotapesScope and Content: Biographical features of Derek Humphry, correspondence, subject series, newsletter files, conference planning papers, bequest records, videotapes, and other records of the Society.
Includes a coffee mug produced by the Society when it was based in Los Angeles. A-J correspondence not included.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Hemlock Society, 6/17/1994.
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Description: Humphry, Derek biographical featuresContainer: Box 1, Accession 4270-005
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Description: Correspondence L-ZDates: 1980-93Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-005
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Description: Correspondence L-ZDates: 1980-93Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-005
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Description: Coffee mug
General Notes: produced by Hemlock Society when it was based in Los Angeles
Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-005 -
Description: Subject SeriesDates: 1988-93Container: Box 3, Accession 4270-005
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Description: Subject SeriesDates: 1988-93Container: Box 4, Accession 4270-005
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Description: Bequest RecordsDates: 1984-93Container: Box 5, Accession 4270-005
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Description: Bequest RecordsDates: 1984-93Container: Box 6, Accession 4270-005
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Description: Newsletter FilesDates: 1991-93Container: Box 7, Accession 4270-005
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Description: Conferences and ConventionsDates: 1981-90Container: Box 7, Accession 4270-005
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Description: VideotapesContainer: Box 8, Accession 4270-005
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Description: VideotapesContainer: Box 9, Accession 4270-005
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Description: Correspondence
General Notes: re aid in dying
Container: Box 10, Accession 4270-005 -
Description: Correspondence
General Notes: re aid in dying
Container: Box 11, Accession 4270-005
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Accession No. 4270-006: Hemlock Society records, circa 1980-1988
16.63 cubic feet (18 boxes)2 audiotapes25 videotapesScope and Content: Clippings, correspondence, conferences, videotapes, audiocassettes, publications of the Society.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users, but access to portions of the papers restricted. Contact repository for details.
Restrictions on Use: Literary rights retained by Hemlock Society.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Hemlock Society, 1/1/1996.
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Description: Correspondence in Subject Series -- ConferenceContainer: Box 1, Accession 4270-006
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Description: Correspondence of PublicationsContainer: Box 2-3, Accession 4270-006
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Description: CorrespondenceContainer: Box 4, Accession 4270-006
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Description: Correspondence
Restrictions on Access: RESTRICTED
Container: Box 5, Accession 4270-006 -
Description: Copy for Printing and Publications
General Notes: See oversize box 16
Container: Box 6, Accession 4270-006 -
Description: Clippings in subject seriesContainer: Box 7-14, Accession 4270-006
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Description: Videotapes
General Notes: "The Right to Choose to Die," "A Time to Die," "Focus on You," and others
Container: Box 15, Accession 4270-006 -
Description: Copy for Printing and Publications
General Notes: See box 6
Container: Box 16, Accession 4270-006 -
Description: CorrespondenceContainer: Box 17-18, Accession 4270-006
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Accession No. 4270-007: Hemlock Society records, 1986-1995 (bulk 1990-1995)
2.00 cubic feet (2 boxes)Scope and Content: Correspondence, minutes, reports, financial records, newsletters, audio tapes, conferences and similar records related to the leadership of the national organization. These files were created by John Westover, Board president 1990-1992 and ongoing Board member.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Literary rights retained by Hemlock Society according to the 1990 agreement with the University of Washington.
Acquisition Info: Donated by John Westover, 3/17/1997.
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Description: General Correspondence17 foldersDates: 1990-1995Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Board Minutes2 foldersDates: 1988-1993Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Washington D.C. conference audio tape1 folderDates: 1986Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-007
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Description: San Francisco conference audio tape1 folderDates: 1988Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Phoenix conference3 foldersDates: 1990Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Denver conference3 foldersDates: 1991Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Long Beach, CA conference1 folderDates: 1992Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Miscellaneous conferences1 folderDates: 1988-1993Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Proposition 1613 foldersDates: 1988-1993Container: Box 1, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Initiative 1192 foldersDates: 1990-1992Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Financial Records2 foldersDates: 1989-1993Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: IRS Problems4 foldersDates: 1989-1992Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Hemlock Board Retreat2 foldersDates: 1992Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: National Chapters1 folderDates: 1989-1992Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: National Board Materials5 foldersDates: 1989-1993Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: National Hemlock Employees1 folderDates: 1990Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Board Nominations1 folderDates: 1991-1992Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Midwest Tour1 folderDates: 1991Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Selection of Executive Director1 folderDates: 1992Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Cruzan Care2 foldersDates: 1988-1991Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Roper Poll1 folderDates: 1991Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Board Member Manual1 folderDates: 1991-1993Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Newsletters - "Compassion in Dying"1 folderDates: 1993-1995Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Newsletters - Hemlock Chapters8 foldersDates: 1990-1996Container: Box 2, Accession 4270-007
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Description: Accession No. 4270-008: Hemlock Society records, 1987-1999 (bulk 1996-1999)4.00 cubic feet (4 boxes)
Scope and Content: Correspondence, clippings, reports, publications, and other materials of John G. Westover, President 1990-1992, and an ongoing Board member, as well as Chair of the Chapter Relations and Planning Committee in 1996.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Acquisition Info: Donated by John G. Westover, 12/12/2000.
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Euthanasia
- Euthanasia--History--Sources
- Euthanasia--Law and legislation--History--Sources
- Euthanasia--Social aspects--History--Sources
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
- Right to die
- Right to die--History--Sources
- Right to die--Law and legislation--History--Sources
- Right to die--Social aspects--History--Sources