Archival Research: Uncovering the multiculural history of Veenhuizen

Our latest research associate in the Lab, Jaïr van Dijk, introduced his first research into Veenhuizen. With a background in archival research, he presented his MA Thesis in History at the UvA where he examined client files from the social services in Amsterdam and court records. He studied not only what was written about individuals but also how this information was gathered: through standardized forms, observations by social workers, checklists for “character” or “decency,” and protocols regarding home visits. How was knowledge collected, and how was it constructed? By analyzing which questions were asked, how conclusions were drawn, and what language was used, it becomes clear that the archives themselves contribute to the shaping of knowledge and to a specific image of people— for example, concerning their morality.

For Veenhuizen, he shared his initial research findings from the archives, illustrating that Veenhuizen is much more than a typical Dutch village— it is a vibrant, dynamic space where multiple cultures intersected. He demonstrated how religious diversity coexisted within institutional boundaries and highlighted how Veenhuizen served as a hub of shared, often overlooked, international exchange. Recognizing these layers of diversity, Jaïr argues, is essential for reframing Veenhuizen not merely as a site of national disciplinary history, but as a transnational space of cultural encounter and exchange.