Renée Carl
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easteuromutt.bsky.social
Renée Carl
@easteuromutt.bsky.social
Professional Genealogist. Backyard gardener. Swimmer. Advocating for access to 20thC Immigration records at RecordsNotRevenue.com and occasionally blogging at EasternEuropeanMutt.com. most importantly: https://fundnara.com/
Pinned
When @lastweektonight.com nerds out on your favorite talking point:
youtu.be/dB1-lg-xZWc?...
Presidential Libraries: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
youtu.be
American historical markers and memorials should honor all Veterans. substack.com/home/post/p-...
The Quiet Export of American Historical Erasure
Earlier this year, visitors to the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg, noticed something missing. Two panels honoring Black American soldiers who fought and served in World War ...
substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by Renée Carl
this should be required viewing in order to access the internet imo. youtu.be/vGAqYNFQdZ4?...
Don't Be a Sucker
YouTube video by US National Archives
youtu.be
October 22, 2025 at 10:51 AM
On Tuesday, the current administration clearly demonstrated what it thinks of historical preservation. This webinar explains how the National Archives is essential to democracy, & steps we can take to ensure NARA funding.

NARA doesn't need saving - it's not a statue - it needs funding to function.
🎥 Missed our NARA Webinar? Watch the recording now!

Who’s safeguarding the history of now? Learn why it's important to capture the stories of our present.

📺 Watch the recording: https://ow.ly/VOfG50Xf1Ac
October 21, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by Renée Carl
✊ Always Appeal! ✊
Did the VA refuse to send you a full copy of a C-File (claims file) that you requested under #FOIA for a deceased veteran? Well, we now have some attorney-approved sample texts you can use to fight back!

Check out BIRLS.org/appeals for the latest!
Search the BIRLS Database - over 19.5 million records about deceased US veterans, from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, now online and FREE from Reclaim The Records
Search the BIRLS Database - over 19.5 million records about deceased US veterans, from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, now online and FREE from Reclaim The Records
BIRLS.org
October 21, 2025 at 3:15 AM
When @lastweektonight.com nerds out on your favorite talking point:
youtu.be/dB1-lg-xZWc?...
Presidential Libraries: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
youtu.be
October 8, 2025 at 12:29 PM
The future of historical research if we don't fight for funding, access and transparency at NARA 👇🏻
This is kind of like writing a monograph off the archive's finding aids.
October 7, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Since you can't possibly be tired of hearing me talk about NARA, sign up for today's webinar with @richvenezia.bsky.social, Claire Kluskens, and me.
🗓️ October 7 | 3pm ET
The future of our National Archives—and access to America’s stories—is on the line.

Join the webinar to learn why NARA matters, what’s at risk, and how you can take action to defend history and democracy.

Register today!
🔗 https://ow.ly/P0tc50X5P8H
October 7, 2025 at 11:31 AM
What is the definition of essential when it comes to a shutdown? twelvekey.com/2025/10/02/c...
Closed for Now, But Absolutely Essential
Last week I had great pleasure doing several hours of research in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. My research took me into specialized War of 1812 and Civil War records that are n…
twelvekey.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:35 PM
File under good news: NARA added 218,028 A-Files to the catalog this month! These files were previously the custody of the USCIS Genealogy Program. Consult the NARA info page to learn more about A-Files and how to obtain copies www.archives.gov/research/imm...
September 30, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Shutdown or not, federal funding decisions being made in Congress will impact the USA's record keeping for decades to come. substack.com/home/post/p-...
With NARA funding cuts, access to America’s memory is on the chopping block
The White House and Congress are proposing to fund record-keeping like it’s still 1999.
substack.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Looking for a Sunday read? I have one for you: substack.com/inbox/post/1...
With NARA funding cuts, access to America’s memory is on the chopping block
The White House and Congress are proposing to fund record-keeping like it’s still 1999.
substack.com
September 28, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Reposted by Renée Carl
For their first project, my Kids and Society students have to create an infographic clarifying a common misconception about "kids these days." I'd prefer that they not use AI to create their projects, so I made my own infographic explaining why : )
September 25, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Things happening outside of the spotlight are important, too. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Want government accountability? Start with the archives.
No nation can be democratic, transparent, or accountable without trustworthy and accessible records of its past.
substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Reposted by Renée Carl
What is the city but the people?
September 6, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Reposted by Renée Carl
This is not only a serious issue for historians and not only a serious issue for academics (although it is that). It's a development that's also deleterious for the GLAM sector, for example, and part of a much larger trend nationally and internationally to restrict and dismantle access to archives.
Historians dismayed by ‘scandal’ of BBC cutting access to...
Critics say new limit to trove of information sounds knell for independent research
observer.co.uk
August 24, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Reposted by Renée Carl
I've seen this on Bluesky and had to try it myself. The image below was the response to the prompt: "Show me a diagram of the US presidents since Herbert Hoover, with their names and years in office under their photos" Bravo, OpenAI, bravo.
August 8, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Sometimes there is good news on Fridays. The DC Council restored full funding for the DC Archives Project at UDC in FY 2026 Budget. Thanks to all the organizations and individuals who spoke out and spoke up for the importance of access to DC records. dcarchivesadvocates.substack.com/p/you-saved-...
You Saved the DC Archives Building Project!
DC Council Provides Full Funding for DC Archives Project at UDC in FY 2026 Budget
dcarchivesadvocates.substack.com
August 1, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by Renée Carl
Trump's Assault on the NPS is Not a Disagreement Over History. It is an Attack on History Itself. #NationalParks open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...
Trump's Assault on the NPS is Not a Disagreement Over History. It is an Attack on History Itself
We need to stop framing this ongoing “review,” ordered by the Trump administration of the National Park Service’s interpretive assets, as a disagreement over history.
open.substack.com
July 23, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Today the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee slashed an additional $4million from the National Archives's already meager budget for FY26.
July 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM
NARA removed the banner and all the changes to the wording online. Now please use all this energy and fight the massive funding cuts for NARA, because that will do more damage than we can ever imagine.
The National Archives at College Park, Maryland
We hold permanent records created by Federal agencies that include: Textual records from civilian agencies Army unit records dating from WW1 Navy unit records dating from WW2 Still pictures Electroni...
www.archives.gov
June 25, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Reposted by Renée Carl
Just imagine if everyone freaked out about funding cuts for NARA like they are about this message...
🚨🚨"Effective July 7, 2025, the National Archives at College Park, MD, will become a restricted-access federal facility with access only for visitors with a legitimate business need. It will no longer be open to the general public."
The National Archives at College Park, Maryland
We hold permanent records created by Federal agencies that include: Textual records from civilian agencies Army unit records dating from WW1 Navy unit records dating from WW2 Still pictures Electroni...
www.archives.gov
June 25, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Meanwhile, scroll down on the A2 page and learn they took away our parking. www.archives.gov/college-park
June 24, 2025 at 11:41 PM