SAVE QUEER & ASIAN ARCHIVES
Yahoo is deleting all images, attachments, and email messages associated with Yahoo! groups. First launched in 2001, yahoo groups was a key way for LGBTQ+ POC individuals to connect and start a new generation of organizations. Some have folded, changed names, or continue on…but the history in these yahoo groups is important to save!
PHASE 1
Actively archive or support the archiving of yahoo groups through December 14th
PHASE 2
Organize archive in a way that’s easily readable and accessible to group admins or members
PHASE 3
Send archive to group admins or members though snail mailed usb drives, burned dvds, or cloud based download link. This is highly dependant on the size of the archive.
DOWNLOAD OPTIONS
1. Were you on any Yahoo lists? Ask Yahoo to send you a backup (they may not comply, but it’s free to ask)
- Click here!
- Do ASAP, it may take up to a week to get the data!
- If you can log in to Yahoo, click the button to request a backup. And then email us at connect@resiliencearchives.com saying “I sent Yahoo my request”
- Yahoo might reply in a couple of days with a link to download your data. When you get that email, click the download link if you’re on a desktop computer — but most importantly, email us ASAP so we can show you how to take the very final step
- PRO: Easy
- CON: May not include photos or file attachments
- NOTE: If you’re a member or admin of a private group, you can use the link to enter in your email address and use the yahoo tool to download an archive of your data. Also, due to the looming shutdown/data wipe deadline of December 14th, many people are using this tool and accessing the servers which may result in slowdowns.
2. But what if you really want to see a specific list preserved?
- Email connect@resiliencearchives.com and we’ll work with you to save a copy of a Yahoo Group that you’re part of. It’s free, and we’ll handle most of the techie details!
- Fill out the form below with more specific details and we’ll get back to you ASAP
Need help from us? Click here! Please submit requests ASAP
FAQS
Who will have access to these initial archives?
We can limit the access to the people listed in the working group below. Anirvan is taking the lead on the technology aspects of archiving (downloading and saving). However, Mia and Sine will be supporting in other aspects of organizing the data and distributing back to yahoo group admins or lead contacts.
What will you do with my information?
We will archive as much as we can onto a computer hard drive, and then send the information to you. We will not publish it or post anything publically unless you want us to. Our focus is to archive this work for groups and we are placing a high importance on privacy.
Can I speak to someone first?
Yes, we wil do our best to connect with you and answer any questions you may have about this process. However due to the short amount of time we have until Yahoo! shuts down their servers and number of groups/people who may need support, our time may be limited.
WORKING GROUP
Anirvan Chatterjee, Lead archivist and technologist
Curator, Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour
Steering Committee, DeQH South Asian LGBTQ Helpline
Co-Coordinator, Alliance of South Asians Taking Action
Organizer, Bay Area Solidarity Summer
Anirvan’s website | Anirvan’s Twitter
Sine Hwang Jensen, Archives and policy
Librarian, Asian American Studies, UC Berkeley Ethnic Studies Library
Advisory Board, Visibility Project & Resilience Archives
Supporter, API Equality Northern California Dragonfruit Project
Organizer, Radical Libraries, Archives and Museums at Allied Media Conference
Mia Nakano, Community engagement, archives, policy
Executive Director, Visibility Project
Executive Director, Resilience Archives
Communications Director, Queer Cultural Center
Leadership Team, AACRE (Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality)
Founding Photo Editor, Hyphen magazine
MORE INFORMATION
There are a number of working groups and archivists already doing this work. As well as activists who are seeking to extend the deadline and ensure that yahoo groups across the world have the opportunity to download their data. Read on for more information and resources, gathered by Anirvan Chatterjee.
Yahoo Groups Fandom Project
Tumblr aggregate of tools to archive yahoo groups (including photos and files) and other updated press resources.
Organization for Transformative Works
More preservation efforts
Queer Yahoo Digital History Project
Queer specific yahoo groups preservation
Mods and Members
Contact information for Verizon (the owner’s of yahoo groups) and media.
