Interview with a septuagenarian

Interview was conducted with my grandmother

A few things about interview Speaks no English. Entire interview conducted in Spanish over the phone Was not as personal, but still got interesting info. Mom thought it would be good idea to jog her memory

Speaks no English. Entire interview conducted in Spanish over the phone

Was not as personal, but still got interesting info.

Mom thought it would be good idea to jog her memory

Place of Birth Born Feb 4 th 1931 Sabinas, Mexico Moved to Musquiz at age 6 Moved to Acuna at age 15

Born Feb 4 th 1931 Sabinas, Mexico

Moved to Musquiz at age 6

Moved to Acuna at age 15

Big Moves Her father was musician. Moved to Acuna to because was bigger city and would have better chance of getting gigs Not common way to make living at the time, as is now. 70 mile move, but was considered huge at the time. Lived there most of her life

Her father was musician. Moved to Acuna to because was bigger city and would have better chance of getting gigs

Not common way to make living at the time, as is now.

70 mile move, but was considered huge at the time.

Lived there most of her life

Was youngest of 7 children. Big families were common. 10+ children not uncommon When asked about why so many children Stated people were not educated on birth control. Did not even know what condoms were Also, no TV

Was youngest of 7 children. Big families were common. 10+ children not uncommon

When asked about why so many children

Stated people were not educated on birth control. Did not even know what condoms were

Also, no TV

People had cars, but electricity and plumbing, were commodity Did not have plumbing in their home until early 60’s. Until that time they had outhouse. Did not own a TV until late 70’s

People had cars, but electricity and plumbing, were commodity

Did not have plumbing in their home until early 60’s. Until that time they had outhouse.

Did not own a TV until late 70’s

Crossing the border was common then as is now. Not as big of an influx Decided against it because already had steady employment Work superseded education Grandmother elementary school education grandfather middle school Great Depression did not affect much, due to not many US jobs in Mexico. Did not affect them a lot because they were already poor

Crossing the border was common then as is now. Not as big of an influx

Decided against it because already had steady employment

Work superseded education

Grandmother elementary school education grandfather middle school

Great Depression did not affect much, due to not many US jobs in Mexico.

Did not affect them a lot because they were already poor

Costs of Living (40’s) 1 Kilo tortillas – about 10-15 cents Gas – about 15 cents a gallon Cost of average home 500 – 1000 USD Grandfather made around 500$ USD per year Things were cheaper, but people did not make very much money

1 Kilo tortillas – about 10-15 cents

Gas – about 15 cents a gallon

Cost of average home 500 – 1000 USD

Grandfather made around 500$ USD per year

Things were cheaper, but people did not make very much money

Next Generation (my parents) Work still superseded education, but grandparents did emphasize importance of higher education My mother 1 st person in family to graduate from college

Work still superseded education, but grandparents did emphasize importance of higher education

My mother 1 st person in family to graduate from college

Currently resides in US on Visa Moved to US after grandfather died Decided it would be good idea hometown no longer safe Suffers from Parkinson’s Disease Keeps hands occupied by knitting

Currently resides in US on Visa

Moved to US after grandfather died

Decided it would be good idea hometown no longer safe

Suffers from Parkinson’s Disease

Keeps hands occupied by knitting

THE END