Tall Tales

Interview Description Noel and Diandra interview their mother, Diana, about her family history and their identity as 3rd Generation Americans of Mexican descent. Facilitator Subject Log 4:17 As the story goes, Diana's grandmother was struggling to provide for her mother, her sister, and her children. She heard Pancho Villa was nearby and she approached him and asked for help. He gave her food and medicine. 6:14 When she came to the US she only had...

Interview Description Yolanda Blanco remembers the life of her husband Victor, who suffers from Parkinson's and dementia, and discusses the love and care that family, friends, and coworkers have displayed for him. Facilitator Subject Log 1:20 Fecha y lugar de nacimiento de Victor. 2:00 (Full switch to English) Childhood jobs: taking water and lunches to mine workers. 3:05 Parents' divorce and move to the United States. Genealogy...

Interview Description Moses Camarena, 62, talks to Mobile Facilitator Sara Culver, 25, about his parents, experiences growing up, academic and athletic achievements, and career satisfaction. Facilitator Subject Log 4:40 Discussion of mother and mentions on her teachings on discrimination. She inspired him to excel in whatever he did. 6:30 Family accident: father runs over little sister. Mother's prayer for sister's well-being. 8:45 Story...

Interview Description Siblings David De La Torre, 61, and Karen Ann De La Torre discuss their family genealogy and the nuances of their Latino identity. Facilitator Subject Log 1:35 Siblings discuss family genealogy on fathers side. Forefathers settled in California when state was still a Spanish territory. 12:00 Siblings discuss genealogy on mother's side. 14:35 KDLT shares memories of grandmother's house. 23:40 DDLT discusses...

Interview Description Leon De Leon (89) talks to his son Reuben R De Leon (40) about his life. Facilitator Subject Log 00:58 Leon talks about being born in Lompoc, CA, but also living in Mexico until he was 7-years-old. 07:50 Leon talks about becoming a signal-man in the Navy. He talks about why he joined the military. 12:30 Leon joined the Merchant Marines and talks about the scariest moment he ever had on a ship. He tells the story about...

Interview Description Jonathan Eisen, 38, talks with his good friend Paul Sanchez Yates, 42, about the high school social scene in Greenwich, CT, and their favorite hang-out growing up, "The Cafe." Facilitator Subject Log 4:15 JE talks about is identity as a New Jerseyite growing up. There was a sense of pride at being from a place that was the butt of so many jokes. "I'm from New Jersey, and I came out all right." 8:00 JE shares his happiest memory....

Interview Description Yolanda A. Esquivel, 58, tells her daughter Paloma Esquivel, 30, about her family history and pverty, her political awakening and activism, and her hopes for the future. Facilitator Subject Log 0:55 YE talks about her family's loss of land in Southern Texas. Her Mexican family sold land to an Anglo man who bought it with Confederate currency, which was worthless at time of purchase. Another time, other family land was seized when her...

Interview Description Angel Oviedo Fernández, de 82 años, es entrevistado por su hija, Maria Elena Fernández, de 44 años, acerca de su vida en la ciudad de Mexico, su mudanza a los Estados Unidos y las inversiones gracias las cuales salió adelante. [Angel Oviedo Fernández, 82, is interviewed by his daughter Maria Elena Fernández, 44, about his life growing up in Mexico City, his move to the United States, and the investments through which he became economically stable.] ...

Interview Description Clyde Gill talks to his daughters Tiffany Piña and Joslyn Gill about his childhood, school life, community life and worthies, family history and lineage, his Mexican heritage and family traditions, and happiest and saddest memories. Facilitator Subject Log 3:40 CG talks about the pride and joy of becoming a parent. 7:35 CG shares anecdotes of his daughters growing up. Daughters' skits and singing. 10:40 CG talks about...

Interview Description Sandra Heralda, 59, talks to her sister Gracie Apodaca, 60, and her niece Corina Apodaca Lash, 32, about the community she grew up, her education and work life, and her mother. Facilitator Subject Log 5:55 SH recalls when she first grew aware that her family was poor and of her socioeconomic status. At her first job at City Hall, people would be surprised that someone had brown eyes. 11:00 SH remembers some of her favorite...