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Vision and Values

Vision

Origins Historical Research, LLC provides superior research, writing, and genealogical services to people in Wisconsin and beyond. Grounded in critical feminist, anti-colonial, and anti-racist theories and praxes, the services provided by Origins are trauma-informed, based on radical hope, and focused on liberation for all.

Values

Professional ethics - Our work is guided by the Association of Professional Genealogists Code of Ethics and Professional Practices and the Oral History Association's Principles and Best Practices. 

Critical genealogy - At Origins, we practice critical genealogy, which is a praxis based on active exploration, understanding, questioning, challenging, and reimagining the practices, theories, and methods of traditional genealogies of the past and present. Informed by critical race, queer, and feminist theories, we value what works and rebuild what doesn't to help create a field in which systemic oppressions are examined, intersections are honored, accountability is taken, and relationships are more deeply explored. 

Positionality – It’s important to acknowledge, honor, and reckon with where we come from, how we got here, and how our positionality and privilege inform our lives and experiences. Our experiences affect the ways in which we see the world; we constantly remind ourselves to critically reflect upon and engage with these various identities to meet others where they are and to re-situate ourselves amongst a collective. 

Feminisms - We don't just mean white feminism. We've humbly and gratefully learned from Black feminists, Indigenous feminists, Latinx feminists, queer feminists, trans feminists, fat feminists, neurodivergent feminists, and working-class feminists. We've studied the books and the theories, we've sat back and listened, we've actively witnessed, we've made mistakes, apologized, and learned (and still do). Our feminisms are both broad and nuanced. 

LGBTQ+ - At Origins, we are queer AF. We are committed to troubling the cisalloheteropatriarchy in everything we do. This includes creating trees for chosen families and finding ways to queer genealogical and family history traditions.  

Anti-racism - Origins is committed to the interrogation and deconstruction of white supremacy in all we do. As white settlers, we are aware of our privileges and are focused on listening, learning, action, and using our platforms to support and highlight movements for liberation and to calling in other white people to join us in this work. 

Anti-colonialism - Imperialism and settler colonialism has caused remarkable violence across the country and the world. Origins works to support the deconstruction of colonial legacies and the rebuilding of sovereignty, especially among Indigenous communities.  

Sovereignty and Land Back - See the point above regarding anti-colonialism. Origins supports Indigenous sovereignty and the land back movement. We also understand the importance of walking our talk and follow the lead of Indigenous groups in active collaboration and resistance.

Reciprocity – We are still learning how to live in true reciprocity with others. We especially look to Indigenous leaders and feminisms to inform and support the lessons and practices we undertake to break free of the individualistic, oppressive, white feminist maternalist, meritocratic conditioning which has informed our upbringings and adulthoods.

Trauma-informed - At Origins, we understand the importance of building holistic relationships. We are aware that trauma comes in many forms and can be passed intergenerationally and we honor your experiences and truths. When you put your trust in us to listen to your stories and care for your memories, we will do so with compassion, integrity, and honor. 

Healing - While oral histories and genealogical work are no substitute for professional assistance with trauma or past challenges, at Origins we believe in the power of storytelling as a tool for healing. 

Radical hope - In a world so full of violence, inequity, and injustice, it is hard to stay hopeful. At Origins we follow the lead of Black and Indigenous women working to create and maintain radical hope, joy, and resilience.