I Found It In the Archives! 2012 National Competition Results

Julie Dresser, a teacher’s aide from Sycamore, Illinois, is the winner of the I Found It In The Archives! 2012 national contest sponsored by the Society of American Archivists. Her essay describes how a trip to the Benjamin F. Feinberg Library at State University of New York at Plattsburgh helped her discover priceless letters from her fourth-great grandmother.

Dresser’s entry bested seven other finalists in the contest in which the public voted for the winner. More than 8,400 votes were cast. Dresser’s prize includes complimentary airfare to SAA’s Annual Meeting in San Diego this August and two nights stay at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront.

Thank you to everyone who voted for their favorite entry. The eight contestants in the 2012 competition shared their personal stories of discovery using historical records, photos, diaries, letters, and other treasures they found in archival collections. The entries—1 video and 7 essays—were put forward by SAA members for the national competition.

The I Found It In The Archives! campaign was all about using social media to spread the word about the national contest and, in the process, exposing as many people as possible to the wonderful stories of discovery that told by our contestants. Thanks to all for telling friends, family, users, and colleagues about this competition.

Here are the eight entries from the 2012 national competition: