Saavedra, Zeferino Rocha; Saavedra, Berta "Bert "; Cázares, Pauline (father/daughter/daughter). East L.A. Public Library, 2010-02-11T13:30:00

File — Interview-ID: MBY006175

Interview Description

Berta "Bertie "Saavedra and Pauline Cázares interview their father, Zeferino Saavedra about work and growing up in Mexico and the US.

Facilitator Subject Log

00:50 Zeferino remembers coming to the US from Nuevo León Guanajuato, Mexico. He earned money picking up bottles and scraps on the way home from school.

10:15 The building of City Hall at La Placita. Zeferino was one of the first to climb to the top of the building.

13:48 After Zeferino's mother became sick with cancer, the family moved back to Mexico. Zeferino didn't want to go and nearly jumped off the train.

19:13 Zeferino crossed back into the US when he was 18. He worked as a gravedigger.

31:46 Zeferino dated his wife, Maria for 5 years before they were married. It took that long to get permission from Maria's father. For Zeferino it was like trying to "marry a princess. "

35:00 The home where Zeferino has lived for 45 years and the garden he cultivated there.