Fonds consists of departmental records from Anthropology and Sociology (1964-2000); Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association records (1970-1979); and material relating to the Simon Fraser University dispute concerning the Department of Political Science, Sociology and Anthropology (1969-1971). Ames assembled this group of records through his participation on the C.S.A.A. team, which studied the situation. The papers also include Ames's descriptions of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Museums Association (1980-1983) and the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (1967-1995). The material relating to the Shastri Institute includes records generated or collected by Ames and other members of the Institute at UBC. The names of other members are indicated in the file title. Also, the fonds contains manuscripts and drafts, records about Ames's research, courses taught by Ames, a variety of conferences and seminars, and records about Ames’ participation in several museum studies program reviews. Finally, the fonds also contain Ames' involvement with the Museum of Anthropology (MOA). Most records as Director and Acting Director of MOA are held at the MOA Archives. In total, there are 16 series: UBC Department of Anthropology and Sociology series, Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association series, Department of Political Science, Sociology, and Anthropology (Simon Fraser University) Dispute series, Canadian Museums Association series, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute series, Assorted Associations and Conferences series, Manuscripts, Drafts, and Papers series, General Correspondence series and a Biographical series, Course Materials series, Program Review series, Research series, Museum of Anthropology (MOA) series, Photographic series, Audio Cassette series and Computer Tape series (last three series were added were acquired in 2007).