Archiving Memory: Testimonies from Survivor Communities

Intent of the Project

Archiving Memory: Testimonies from Survivor Communities is a collaborative initiative led by the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (CHGS) at the College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota. The project seeks to collect and amplify the voices of communities that have experienced genocide, whether in the distant past or in more recent history. These communities—some of which remain in their original homelands, while others have resettled elsewhere due to forced displacement—continue to grapple with the long-term effects of mass violence. Through their voices, we explore how genocide shapes memory, identity, and resilience across generations.

CHS and its partner institutions, such as the the Immigration History Research Center Archives and the Upper Midwest Jewish Archives, are committed to responsibly preserving and, when appropriate, making these testimonies available for future generations. By highlighting the lived experiences of communities affected by genocide, Archiving Memory: Testimonies from Survivor Communities aims to foster deeper understanding, solidarity, and dialogue around memory, justice, and the enduring impact of mass violence.

Oral Testimonies

At the heart of this project are short (2–5 minute) oral testimonies recorded by individuals within these communities. Participants are invited to reflect on life before and after the genocide, the ways in which historical trauma is passed down, and how younger generations learn about and live with that history today. Many speak about efforts to maintain their cultural identity, protect endangered languages and traditions, and navigate intergenerational memory. In addition to video testimonies, participants can also share images of personal or historical objects that hold meaning for them, underscoring the material traces of genocide and survival.

Capturing & Sharing These Stories

Testimonies and other visual materials are gathered on the digital platform Padlet. The CHGS team works closely with each community to determine how the materials will be preserved, shared, and used. With permission, these testimonies will serve as the foundation for a series of Story Maps, interactive educational tools that allow for multimedia storytelling by combining maps, photographs, video testimonies, and explanatory texts.

The Story Maps created as part of this project center survivor and community voices, making them a powerful resource for educators, students, and the broader public interested in learning about genocide from those who lived and continue to live through its consequences.

For any questions related to this project, please contact CHGS at [email protected].