This brief note is intended to update Martin Klein's report on Guinée's Archives Nationales. I recently returned from a visit to the archives in Conakry and found that some things have changed since Klein's stay there. For one, the archives have been moved; in 1985 the entire contents of the old building were transferred to the grounds of the National Museum. When I was there for two weeks in June 1986, the vast bulk of the records had yet to be filed, but Mr. Seydouba Cisse, the director, and his staff made daily progress on the reorganization. The documents which I needed, all from the colonial period, were readily available. Those in need of filing seemed to be of more recent date.

The office overseeing historical research also has been changed. Rather than contacting the Institute National de Recherches et de Documentation de la Guinée, anyone interested in doing archival investigation in Conakry or, presumably, historical or ethnographic research anywhere else in the country, should now write (preferably in French): Mr. Ahmadou Oury Diallo, Directeur de Patrimoine à la Direction Générale de la Culture; B.P. 391; Conakry, R. Guinée. The letter should state one's institutional affiliation, as well as the nature and duration of the proposed research.

In response to my initial query, I was sent a two-page form requesting information on educational background, publications record, research purpose, and itinerary. After submitting the completed form, I received tentative clearance to pursue research in Guinée. I say “tentative” because the letter of welcome was accompanied by a document titled “Conditions de Collaboration en Matiére de Recherches.”