This past May, I graduated from Bemidji State University in Minnesota with a bachelor's in social studies. I began my internship at the State Archives with very little knowledge of North Dakota, as I am a Minnesota native and have rarely traveled farther west than Fargo. Over the summer, however, I gained a crash course in North Dakota history while developing valuable skills that will benefit me throughout my career. 

Most of my time was spent assisting visitors at the reference desk in the State Archives. One of the most common requests I received was related to genealogical research, with visitors often seeking information about their ancestors. The reference desk has access to a variety of resources available to the public. I regularly helped patrons find death records, locate obituaries and birth announcements, and use our newspaper collection on microfilm to find specific information. 

Microfilm drawers at the State Archives’ Reading Room.

When I was not assisting visitors in the Reading Room, I spent my time researching and writing for Prairie Public’s “Dakota Datebook.” I wrote seven entries during my time at the State Archives. I also worked on a project to categorize and label naturalization papers from Morton County ranging from the late 1800s through to the early 1900s. For each document, I verified names, dates, and countries of origin to ensure the information was correct in our system.

Naturalization record from Cavalier County, 1885.

Overall, this internship was an incredible experience. It provided me with meaningful, hands-on archival and reference work while exposing me to many different aspects of the profession. This opportunity has strengthened my understanding of the field and given me a clearer picture of the career I hope to pursue.