Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1898 - 1982 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
7 boxes and 106 photographs
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Dr. Ellen Hellmann (1908-1982) was a social anthropologist and obtained her D.Phil degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1940. The findings of her MA thesis in 1935, ground breaking research into the appalling conditions under which urban black Africans lived in slums such as Rooiyard in Doornfontein, Johannesburg, were published in the book entitled "Rooiyard: A Sociological Survey Of An Urban Native Slum Yard" in 1948.
She worked for the 'Joint Council of Europeans and Bantu' and later became an Executive member of the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR). She submitted evidence to various Government commissions at the time, including the Commission for Socio-economic Development of the Native Areas of South Africa (1955), known as the Tomlinson Commission, and the Commission of Inquiry into the Riots at Soweto and Elsewhere, 1976-1977, known as the Cillie Commission.
Ellen Hellmann was a member of the Progressive Party from 1959 to 1971.
(South African History Online)
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The collection consist of articles, reports and talks by Ellen Hellman, as well as letters, booklets and press clippings. Also included are photographs, which were taken by Ellen Hellmann, and which often accompanied her research and reports.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
The papers are arranged according to topic, regardless of dates.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Permission must be obtained from Ellen Hellmann's daughter, Ruth Runciman, and the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR).
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Alternate title: Hellmann, Dr. Ellen