The Archival Image Revisited: An Analysis of Archival Encounters Portrayed By Genealogy Television Programming
Public Deposited- Last Modified
- February 28, 2019
- Creator
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Serrao, Jessica L.
- Affiliation: School of Information and Library Science
- Abstract
- This study explored how reality genealogy television programming portrayed archival encounters to public viewers during journeys of family discovery. It analyzed content from prime time shows Who Do You Think You Are? and Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr to understand how portrayals of archives, archivists, archival materials and research aligned with traditional archival stereotypes and the professional archival image. The author expanded upon previous research on the archival image and stereotypes in media by analyzing contemporary programs popular among genealogists, one of the largest constituents of archives. The study found some stereotypes were upheld while others were absent, and others were ambiguously portrayed. The findings suggested that reality genealogy television programs failed to deliver a nuanced depiction of the archival profession. The author suggested that increased public outreach and collaboration could help improve the archival image and spread understanding of the role of archives in society.
- Date of publication
- April 2018
- Subject
- DOI
- Resource type
- Rights statement
- In Copyright
- Advisor
- Anthony, Denise
- Degree
- Master of Science in Library Science
- Academic concentration
- Library and Information Science
- Degree granting institution
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Graduation year
- 2018
- Language
- Deposit record
- cf739033-e12d-451b-8058-7a1a8e1cc6cc
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- Parents:
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