Episode 61: Judith Giesberg Resists Giving Readers What They Want
Mar 11, 2025
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Judith Giesberg, a historian and professor at Villanova University, shares her insights on the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War. She discusses her impactful work on the Last Seen project, which helps reconnect formerly enslaved people with lost family members through historical advertisements. Giesberg also reflects on the complexities of editing and mentoring in historical writing, her personal creative process, and the emotional challenges of capturing poignant family narratives. Her dedication to uncovering marginalized voices is truly inspiring.
Dr. Judith Giesberg's research exposes the emotional struggles of formerly enslaved individuals seeking to reunite with their lost family members after the Civil War.
Through her mentoring role, Giesberg emphasizes the necessity of constructive feedback in writing, fostering an environment where emerging historians can develop their unique voices.
Deep dives
The Importance of Family Connections After the Civil War
The podcast delves into the profound impact of the U.S. Civil War on family structures, highlighting the experiences of formerly enslaved individuals who sought to reunite with lost family members. Many freed individuals faced the emotional toll of separation, often resulting from forced sales and the trauma of displacement. The discussion emphasizes the importance of advertisements placed by these individuals in newspapers, where they detailed physical characteristics of their loved ones, demonstrating their enduring memories despite long separations. This process of seeking out family reflects a broader theme of perseverance and the deep emotional bonds that motivated these searches across generations.
Dr. Judith Giesberg's Research Journey
Dr. Judith Giesberg, an accomplished historian and author, shares insights from her journey in researching the narratives of African Americans during and after the Civil War. Initially focused on elite white women, her research evolved to encompass the experiences of marginalized communities, particularly the dynamics of family and survival amidst the war's chaos. Giesberg's work on the digital project 'Last Seen,' which archives advertisements placed by freed individuals, highlights her commitment to preserving these essential family histories. This project has grown significantly, revealing the widespread efforts of formerly enslaved people to reclaim their family ties and the emotional weight behind their advertisements.
Writing and Mentorship Experiences
Through her role as an editor and mentor, Dr. Giesberg gained valuable insights into the writing process, understanding the balance between maintaining authors' unique voices and enhancing clarity. Her experiences in editing taught her the importance of constructive feedback and mentorship, fostering relationships where writers could refine their ideas. Giesberg's approach combines editorial guidance with nurturing the creativity of emerging historians, emphasizing that the writing process is not only about producing text but also about building supportive networks. This mentoring ethos not only enriches her own craft but also equips the next generation of historians with essential writing skills.
Navigating Ethical Considerations in Historical Writing
In the podcast, Dr. Giesberg reflects on the ethical responsibilities of historians when writing about the histories of marginalized communities, particularly in relation to their own backgrounds. She acknowledges the potential disconnect between her identity and the subjects she studies, emphasizing the importance of humility and respect in her approach. Giesberg highlights the significance of audience engagement, noting that understanding the needs and perspectives of the community can inform how stories are told. By recognizing the historical context and the lived experiences of individuals in her narratives, she strives to honor their legacies while navigating the complexities of representation in historical writing.
In this episode of Drafting the Past, host Kate Carpenter is joined by Dr. Judith Giesberg. Dr. Giesberg is a historian and professor at Villanova University. She is the author of six books focused on the U.S. Civil War and its aftermath. She is also an active digital and public historian, and her newest book is the culmination of these interests. Inspired by an ongoing digital project, Last Seen: The Enduring Search by Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Families draws on advertisements placed by formerly enslaved people after the Civil War—in some cases, long after—attempting to find loved ones who had been stolen away from them when they were sold by enslavers. It’s a fascinating book, at turns heartbreaking and inspiring, and I was delighted to get to ask Judy more about the project and her research process.
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