By: Krystal UrreaGeography 10

10/7/14

PART TWO: THE INTERVIEW

Before the Interview:Before doing the interview, the only thing I knew about my mom’s side of the family was that they came from Ireland and settled here in the United States. I did not know where they have traveled throughout the United States or why. So I wanted to find out when and where my family has been and what caused them to move around if they did. So coming into the interview I looked for the most convenient questions to ask to get that information.

Meeting Up

Once I informed my mom about this family history project, she explained how it would be a great idea for me to interview my grandparents because they know a lot about our family history. One day after school I called them and asked if they would like to meet up and they had me over that same day. I couldn’t be more excited because I knew my grandparents had many stories to tell. So once I got there, they started telling stories before I even asked anything. And then the process began.

The InterviewQ: What are your maiden names?

A: Beverly Ann Joyce & John Andrew Linehan

Q: When were you born?

A: October 19, 1946 & August , 1946

*After WWII, everyone born between 1946 to 1964 is considered to be the baby boomers generation. My grandparents are proud to be part of the baby boomer generation!

Q: Where were you born?

A: Framingham, Massachusetts & Lawrence, Massachusetts

Continued with InterviewQ: How did your family come to live here?

A: My grandparents moved to Boston, Mass. by ship and then my parents met each other and moved to Framingham, Mass. & My grandparents moved to Boston, Mass. by ship as well, but my parents moved to Lawrence, Mass.

Q: When and where did your grandparents come from before moving to the U.S.?

A: Both of our grandparents came from Mitchelstown, Ireland. Before 1904. In 1905.

*Because both their grandparents came from the same place, the saying: “It’s a small world.” seems relevant to their life.

ContinuedQ: Why did both of your grandparents leave Ireland and come to Boston, Mass.?

A: Back in Ireland at that time, and even right now, the percentage for unemployment was way too high. Finding work was a struggle. So they came to the U.S. to find work opportunities.

*They went through Boston because the Port of Entry.

ContinuedQ: Where did you live in your early childhood?

A: Framingham, Massachusetts until I was 6 years old (1952) & Lawrence, Massachusetts until I was 2 years old (1948)

Q: What was the town like that you lived in, in your early childhood?

A: All immigrants got along in both cities, learned to speak English together, and were friendly. In my town there was a park where families would have lunch and all the kids were loved by everyone. & In my town every immigrant brought their traditions with them to America and shared them with others.

ThoughtsWhen coming into the interview I had many assumptions about my family’s history. I assumed that my grandparent’s families came from different parts of Ireland and that they both grew up in the same part of Massachusetts. I did not know that my grandmother came from a poor side of town and my grandfather came from a more wealthier part of Massachusetts. From this point on, I was looking forward to hearing where they have traveled after Massachusetts.

Interview ContinuedQ: What were some traditions you have learned to pass on from your childhood?

A: Women would cook and clean starting at a young age & Eating as a family every night was a big thing we learned to pass down.

*The tradition carried on until I started growing up, then we only carried on eating as a family sometimes and every big holiday.

Q: Did your parents give you any advice or theories about life?

A: Without actually giving the advice, she taught me how to be a woman. & My mom’s theory about life was “You are not truly an American until the 3rd generation lives here.”

*My mom was the first to be an official American according to my great grandmother’s theory.

ContinuedQ: Where did you move when you were a child?

A: Moved to California (1952), back to Massachusetts (1953), and then back to California (1954). & Moved to California (1948), back to Massachusetts (1948), and then back to California (1949).

Q: Why did you move?

A: We moved to California for my father’s work, but we went back to Massachusetts for a year because my grandfather was ill. & We moved because of my father’s work.

Continued

Q: Where did you two meet?

A: In high school, I dated your grandfather and my best friend dated his twin. We went to high school out in Orange County. We have been together ever since.

Q: When did you get married?

A: They married on November 5, 1966 both at age 20. Then had my mom on April 9, 1969.

Interview ContinuedQ: Did you move as a couple?

A: I went to Leesville, Louisiana in 1967. I met him there weeks later after he got there.

*Leesville, Louisiana was considered Army Town. They stayed at Fort Polk

Q: Why did you move?

A: I was in the American Army California Draft E and I got stationed there to be a drill sergeant/instructor. & I moved to be with him and I worked at a place called Sam’s Shoe Store.

Continued

Q: What was it like to live in Louisiana?

A: It was segregated with the blacks and whites unlike in California. With my African American buddies from California at work, I found it difficult that people there wanted me to treat them differently in Louisiana.

ContinuedQ: How did you feel about the different life style in Leesville compared to Orange County, California?

A: Me and my buddies wouldn’t treat it like it was a new lifestyle. We got in trouble and fights many times for having my African American friends sitting with us in the theatre and driving in the same car. & I didn’t understand it. I went to the black’s side of town and they would only let me go into their grocery store to buy meat because the white store sucked. I got in trouble with my boss because one of your grandfather’s African American friend gave me a ride to work on a snowy day.

ContinuedQ: What had a big impact on you during those times and why?

A: The Vietnam War because many of our friends and people your grandfather trained, were going over there and we didn’t know if they were coming back.

ContinuedQ: Where did you go after you were done with the drill instructor job?

A: We both moved back to Orange County, California and had your mom right after.

Q: Out of everywhere you have lived, where is your favorite place to live?

A: They both agreed that living where the do now is their favorite because it was close to me and my family.

Last QuestionQ: Has traveling around the United States impacted you? Why?

A: This may be corny, but it made us who were are today. & It has opened up our eyes about how different parts of the United States are different in so many ways.