The Samora papers held at the Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections are a small portion of records and personal papers generated by Julian Samora. The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Notre Dame also have Samora materials, and researchers interested should consult their university archives and library staff for further details.

These materials have been made accessible to the public through the efforts of the Provost's Office, the MSU Libraries, the Julian Samora Research Institute and the University Archives and Historical Collections.

Every attempt was made by the processing archivist and archival assistant to maintain the order of the materials received. However, the original order may have been disturbed in the second series, Home Office, due to scanning of materials prior to their delivery to the University Archives and Historical Collections. Both the archivist on reference duty and the researcher should be alert to possible contextual discrepancies, which may have resulted from the scanning process.

As mentioned earlier, this collection is by no means complete. The holdings at both the University of Texas-Austin and University of Notre Dame should be consulted for a more complete research experience. The majority of papers found in this collection are comprised of materials kept in Samora’s home office.

Series I represents accession HC 739 and emphasizes the organizational operation of the Centro de Estudios Chicanos E Investigaciones Sociales (CECIS). The files were sent by Gilbert Cardenas kept by Samora at an office at CECIS. The organization was started by Cardneas while a graduate student at Notre Dame at the time Julian Samora was a faculty adviser. These materials include administrative materials such as annual reports, tax information, financial records, Articles of Incorporation, progress reports, program proposals and conference records. The files also contain documents from The Midwest Council of La Raza where Ricardo Parra was the director. Other subgroups within this series include: board meetings, staff materials, research and documentation projects, correspondence, technical consultant projects and the Midwest Files. The Midwest Files are the most significant part of the Samora Collection at MSU as they document Hispanic life and culture in the Midwest. Numerous reports and publications are located in this subgroup in the series, which is further defined by mid-western states.

The Second Series, Home Office, is comprised of materials noted to have come from Samora’s home office. The types of materials and subjects covered span numerous topics. This series is further divided (order imposed by the archivist) into three areas: correspondence, general subjects, and publications. Materials fall into two major categories: those in which Samora had a general personal interest, and those related to his work both before and after his retirement in 1985.

The third series comprises materials found in both accessions. It notes materials too large for conventional archival document folders. The majority of the materials are commemorative plaques, awards and artwork.