About Kinfolkology

Kinfolkology recognizes that savery’s injustices are compounded by an archive fragmented by intention and neglect. Kinfolkology seeks out the fullest representations of identity and tends to scattered pieces with patience and care. Kinfolkology scales the walls of digital silos and prizes narratives over snapshots. Kinfolkology finds meaning and community in record-linking, story-seeking, and family-finding.

Kinfolkology recognizes that without active intervention, data that represents violence and dehumanization can reify harm. Kinfolkology takes up the digital as a tools of memorialization, justice and redress. Kinfolkology prioritizes ethical data practices and keeps one eye fixed beyond the spreadsheet.

Kinfolkology honors the claims of kinfolk, past and present. Kinfolkology recognizes that the dead belong to the living: not as property, but as ones for whom love has been proclaimed.

PURPOSE/VISION

Kinfolkology is dedicated to the integration of datawork related to slavery and the lives of the enslaved with the engagement of Descendant communities. Kinfolkology is guided by an understanding that while enslaved ancestors are no longer living, they were and are part of communities and families that are very much alive.

STRUCTURAL PARITY

Kinfolkology is committed to building structural parity with Descendant communities. Structural parity is a model of shared organizational authority or governance developed by the Montpelier Descendants Committee. In essence of Kinfolkology’s commitment to structural parity, Kinfolkology x Community workshops are devoted to collaboration and co-visioning with Descendant communities.

DATAWORK

Kinfolkology hosts three databases containing information about enslaved ancestors: Oceans of Kinfolk, Louisiana Kindred, and Named in Affectionate Terms.