Part two: The Interview
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Transcript of 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!
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.