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In "Uncovering the Undervalued: Researching Eugenics Records," Mariessa Dobrick invites researchers to look past the cold, clinical facade of 20th-century social engineering to reclaim the human stories buried within. Mariessa employs a compelling "story approach" that weaves real individuals back into the historical narrative, transforming dehumanizing institutional surveys into windows of personal discovery. Participants will gain practical tips and professional strategies for navigating the specific terminologies and structures of Eugenics survey records, while also learning how to cross-reference these findings with vital supporting documents like institutional ledgers, census data, and local newspaper accounts. By focusing on the mothers, children, and families whose lives were frequently reduced to a series of labels and codes, this session provides the essential tools to build a multi-dimensional portrait of ancestors from fragmented, biased data. It is a necessary masterclass for any genealogist or historian dedicated to researching with empathy and ensuring that those who were systematically undervalued by the state are finally given the dignity and recognition they deserve in the family tree.This class will be held in-person at the library, at 57 River Road, Essex from 10:30 to noon. It will also be available as a recording after the class. The cost is $10.00. Please visit https://www.vtgenlib.org/upcoming-class-list-2/#uncovering-the-undervalued-researching-eugenics-records to register.
Mariessa Dobrick, MA is the Vermont Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Lead Researcher. She holds an MA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Library and Information Studies with a certificate in Archives and Records Administration, and served as an archivist for the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration for thirteen years. She is an avid family historian and lives in Barre with her husband and their two sons.
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57 River Road, Essex Junction, VT, United States, Vermont 05452, 57 River Rd, Essex Junction, VT 05452-3842, United States, Essex
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