As a kid, I grew up in North Africa as a Jewish woman. Morocco was owned by France for nearly 40 years and I was born during that timeline. Growing up, all the schools were heavily France-influenced because of their imperialization. Most of the topics we learned about were about France and we even had to learn French. I made ... Read More »
Category Archives: 1950 – 1975
17 Year Old Leaves Poverty and Reunites Family (Mexico)
My life was about to change. It could be for the best or for the worse but it was a risk I was willing to take. As a child, I lived in a little one-floor house with 2 rooms. Located in the hills of a valley. The valley was located in a small city called Veracruz, Mexico. There were house ... Read More »
Civil War in China Necessitates Escape
What was your family situation like where you were from? Respondent: My family was large and wealthy. My father was employed in a public office, which meant that he was in a position to provide for a large family. What was your family situation like then when you came here? Respondent: My family faced a political tragedy as my father ... Read More »
Community Organizer with Roots in Portugal
Carlos Da Silva is a humble man who is proud of the work he and his family have done here in Santa Clara County, including actively supporting and contributing to the Portuguese community. As a nine-year-old child, Carlos came to the U.S. from Portugal with his parents in the 1950s. In Portugal, Carlos’s family owned ... Read More »
Family From the Netherlands Make a New Life
In October of 1961, Fred and Thea Limburg began their journey from Rotterdam, Netherlands to California. This wasn’t just a spontaneous decision though- it came after years of hopeful planning. After talking with her sister-in-law, who had recently moved from the Netherlands, to Indonesia, and then to California, they both ... Read More »
Adventurous European Woman Ends Up in the Peace Corp
Today I am presenting to you an interview with my favorite person on this planet, my grandmother. She went back and forth between France and Spain until she was 18 years old because her parents were divorced. Her first visit to the US was when she was 18. She went all over the ... Read More »
Opportunities for Children (Mexico)
“I’m from a ranch, in San Pedro La Junta – State of Puebla. The farthest back that I can remember is when I was just a kid, when I was 10 years old. I spent my time taking care of animals, taking care of crops, and planting tomatoes, chili, and pumpkin. At 15 I spent my time in the city ... Read More »
Their Vision Became A Longterm Reality (Mexico)
My name is Cynthia Mendoza. I am 15 years old and my interviewees were my grandparents. My grandmother Angélica Cuevas de Ontiveros is 64 years old and my grandfather Francisco Ontiveros is 67 years old. I decided to interview my grandparents because I never got the full story and I feel that I can honor them through sharing their stories. ... Read More »
Journey to Freedom
-How old were you when you left Cuba? 31 years old. I left on January 20th, 1971. – What did you do for work in Cuba? I was a barber. My father was a barber as well, and when I was 12 my mother sent me to his shop to start learning from him. At first I would just help ... Read More »
From Netting Mackerel to Starting a Bio-Tech Company
“I was running as fast as I could. My mother on her blue bicycle, followed my father as we made our way in the direction of the water. My brothers and sisters ran alongside my parents as we raced towards the end of the West Pier of Dun Laoghaire Harbor. I ... Read More »