Paper short abstract:

Identity empowerment through heritage and genealogies is used for exploration of multiple subjectivization of the immigrant experience. Immigrant history, heritage and personal genealogies are seen as arena for resourceful subjectivization, internalization and mobilization of the ethnic linkages by the Lithuanian descendants in Texas. Family and individual ‘roots’ become empowered as ethnic history and claimed for its public recognition and re-inscription into the local history of Texas.

Paper long abstract:

The anthropological conceptualization of international migration might be applied for exploration of multiple subjectivization of the politics of identity in the non-European world. The paper provides a case study (based on the field work in the US) of the application of identity empowerment through heritage as research perspective for the analysis of the Lithuanian immigration in the US. Local Texas history, heritage and personal genealogies are seen as arena for resourceful subjectivization, internalization and mobilization of the ethnic linkage by some of the Lithuanian descendants in Texas.

"Indianola Lady', member of local genealogical society, is in the focus here as the most active person in the 'quest for roots' by tracing, evoking and reclaiming her personal as well as descendants' community collective belonging in Texas.

The paper shows that 'recognitionist' pattern of identity could be claimed and reclaimed by the individuals in the shape of heritage of the immigrant descendants as "ethnic survivors". It consists of family and individual 'roots' and ethnic history and becomes empowered by claiming its public recognition and re-inscription into the local history of Texas.

Thus subjectivized politics of identity is resourceful twofold. It consist of claiming for recognition of the transatlantic 'roots' and ethnic heritages as well as of reclaiming belonging to the local areas in the United States by striving to achieve re-chartering of the 'overlooked for generations' long-time 'in- rooted-ness' in it.