Federal Writers' Project

American Life Histories collected by WPA writers, 1936–1940. Mirrored from the Library of Congress and made fully searchable with OCR-tolerant fuzzy matching and AI explain.

2000 documents

[The Burns Family]

Folklore, Princeton, Florida, United States · 1938-12-30 · 14 pages
Recorded by: Buck, Gladys, Burns, Ella, Woods, W. W.

FEDERAL WRITERS' PROJECT Miami, Florida LIFE HISTORY THE BURNS FAMILY FOLKLORE, FLORIDA W.%Woods Princeton, Fla. Dec. 30, 1938 Gladys Suck The first one—half mile of Coconut Palm Drive, west of Prince— ton, Florida is typical of rural life in the Redland District in that all types of families live there., the poorest, the middle class, the realthieet, and the foreigners. There, the children gather to play on the road after school and on holidays. They skate, play ball, tag, chase each other,…

[Albert J. Kershaw, Jr., M. D.]

Miami, Florida, United States · 1939-02-20 · 11 pages
Recorded by: Burnell, Elvira E., Kershaw, Albert J.

NEDIRAL WRITSHOs PROM? Kiami„ Florida 2,400 Words Fetruart 20, 1939 Albert J. Kershan(ftro) 1429 349•93141 AVe. Wiami, acrid& Monet Weirs I. Burnell, triter mann J. maw, Jr. N.D. (NOMP) In the **nested business district of Miami's "Ootored Town* there dwells Dr. Albert J. Kershaw, an outstanding physician who is seeking neither riches nor publioitn but who devotes his tins and energy to the welfare and uplift of his race. His main inter. set is in the nation's fight against tuberculosis. He is…

[The Haskins Family]

Miami, Florida, United States · 1939-03-01 · 18 pages
Recorded by: Burnell, Elvira E., Haskins, Mizpah, Haskins, Paul Anthony

TICURAL WRITIRes FROM? Miami, Mari da 4,2* words TM* MAXIM FAMILY Month 1 11039 Pool Anlihmtlfekine 403 Lie aim street Iliani_. _Florida Our Mpairos. "'AAA?. awls& I. inrnoll. Vitro The modest, stole° bumslmrseeupiod by the Masking family has a well kept hedge of unrolls and profusion of varifteolosed tropleal shrubbery growing in the small front yard Whom the house and the street. These aro no sidewalks but a short, paved walk leads straight to the house, mhioh in built on the front of lam…

[Mary Windsor]

United States, Verns, Florida · 1939-02-18 · 10 pages
Recorded by: Darsey, Barbara Berry, Ruass, Veronica [E?], Windsor, Mary

February 18, 1939 Mrs. to ailliamsfroal talc) Venus, Florida Afe of sharecropper 3arbara 3erry 3arsey, writer Veronica 4 Russ, reviser WRY I SOB Mares small, unpainted shtdk stood in 28 isolated clearing almost a quarter of a mile from the grade. I found it t7 following a dimmed. trail ,thich led from the erode through the heart of a hasem.lc. The few scattered pines varmandivg herbage node a pleasant contrast appinst the deeper croon of the beyhead in the background. To reach the holes I had…

[Thomas Family]

Florida, Avon Park, United States · 1939-02-08 · 18 pages
Recorded by: [K. Huss?], Veronica, Cornwell, Robert, Darsey, Barbara Berry

Yebruary 8, 1939 Romeo end AU I. Thompson (reel name) Lake Anoka Head Avon Park, Florida Citrus worker Barbara Berry Hersey, writer Veronlea 1. HUss and Rdbort Cornwall, revisers Lin HISTORY of THE THOMAS FAMILY 'From the dirt road *lob curved around the lake shore a side view of the squalid Thames home was visible long before I reached the house. At one time the small, square, box -like house had evidently been painted but its color was now nondescript. Front and beak porches, with rotten…

[Mary Taylor]

Sebring, Florida, United States · 1939-02-01 · 30 pages
Recorded by: Blanding, Willa, Darsey, Barbara Berry

TORSOS AND OBSERVATIONS RELATIVE TO LIFE HISTORY NO. paces Ne.werds 2200, approx. I. F.MILT: A. February „i0, A. 2, Mary Taylor, white, (fictitious name; Urs. Willa Blanding, (real name) 122 North Comnerco Awe., 4. Sebring, Florida. 5. Home Kitishen Manufacturer of jams, jellies, etc. Barbara Berry parsley, writer 7. Marz Taylor -.Size of family three; woman, husband, and daughter in immediate family. Three daughters and one sea married and living away from home. Effeat of family size upon…

[Virginia Suffolk]

United States, Avon Park, Florida · 1939-02-14 · 21 pages
Recorded by: Darsey, Barbara Berry, Ruass, Veronica, Suffolk, Virginia

February 14, 1939 Madge lethurbne (white Route 1 AVM Park, aoridu i,tiltry Farmer Surbars i4rry wetly, writer Veronica usr, reviser ItrAGITiL-- 4. velvet lase sapping to the waters of tho colour livau loie, Bor. rounded the clean white cottage of iirginia ufo3.k. eds of Lrii,nt flowers fused their colors with the grun or the lawn, and oaks added their ahade to this transplanted An liah country scene. ..hite..waohed poultry houees were spread out behind ho house. .uoks and geese, flost• lug…

[Henry and Rosa Maddox]

Venus, Florida, United States · 1938-11-22 · 7 pages
Recorded by: Darsey, Barbara Berry, Maddox, Henry, Maddox, Rosa

Meose Venn*, Florida U/THAS Barbara Berry Varsity HURT and HOBA MADDOX- The home of Hoary and Rose Maddox is in one of the most isolated spots la the squatter region. After following the highway some three miles from theolllage, one must travel along tortuous dirt "grade" for six or seven miles. An abrupt turn eastward on a disk woods' trail lead ever the prairie to douse aoyheoi. Yellowing the bayheades starve, the trail ends suddenly where the boyheed makes a horseshoe bead. A narrow foot…

[Maria Gonzales--Florida Squatter]

Venus, Florida, United States · 1938-12-07 · 8 pages
Recorded by: Darsey, Barbara Berry, Gonzales, Maria

W/Oto words A Mrs. Texas Ilorgan Venue, Florida 116/7/3C Barbara Sorry A ruey Maria 'too moves the yard with an apron full of vegetables *doh o no dumped upon the back steps; this, as several little pigs and a few ohiskons same forward to investigate, she loaned to 460 of the group of five or six ehildren following at her heels: "Teeny, take them collards an turnips right on to the kitchen." Dusting her hands upon her apron she tee to the gate which was firmly fastened with several 'trends of…

[Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick Goethe]

Sebring, Florida, United States · 22 pages
Recorded by: Darsey, Barbara Berry, Mr. And Mrs. Louis [?]

LIFE 3/3TORT J. Marsh LS -4 O Pair• lords approx,.14;e0, 4. biziotillro• irrederiek Soothe (Aictitieue nn:; Mr. 4 Niro. Lottia Barniver nan7) a. I South Oommoroe Loony) Sebring, nitride Barber shop proprietor Barbara Urn!, Darseys writer 4 begs Mead wens& vita a pleasant facto aimed ths sorom tiolos at ay knack and ith, ile-saids Ge.right en late the bedreea, Mrs. Gethe is resting, as visual, after limner it mill he glad to talk o7Gh. s Thsn Artio Gooth,. called in a rather but good...natured…

[Alice Fairweather--Squatter Farmer]

Venus, Florida, United States · 1938-12-16 · 15 pages
Recorded by: Darsey, Barbara Berry, Fairweather, Alice

Mrs. Oaddie Orem' The Tense* ?Lerida Aliso Pairvether 12/ 18.20/38. Barbara Merry Barsoy No. rages 41f Al• words try40—approx snail hone if Alice rairwether was semewhat nearer aqsatter Parner the village than these if the ether squatter farmers. After traveling the paved highway sane idles southward and then following a sneeth grass grown weeds read fer about three miles westwatd one cane directly to the hems.. The clearing* in which steed the small feu* rein house weathered to a silvery grey…

[Jack Dillin]

Sebring, Florida, United States · 1939-01-27 · 17 pages
Recorded by: Darsey, Barbara Berry, Griffin, Bill

Neibr tic 4," 1. January 27, 1430 Jack Rillin, white, (fiotitious nano) Bill, griffin itl 1,:.110) Maple Street :heurf aet numbereC 4.gebring, Flerida 5. Oitrus grove lcbercr e. Barberr. Derry Darer, 7. LIPJ/ITORY dig JACK MAIN A flizht of steep stairs led to the large Mon which formed the upper story of the old laundry building *here Jack Dillin and his children made their hen*. Jaokls daughter glide opened the deer at my knock and in a sweet votes and pleasant manner invited me to none in…

[Frank and Ella Merryvale]

Sebring, Florida, United States · 1939-02-08 · 17 pages
Recorded by: Darsey, Barbara Berry, Mitchell, Cornelia, Mitchell, Willard

J2ebraary 0, 1930 .71llard and Cornelia :,:itcholl (vtito) Oommeroe Street Jobring, Florida Oitras grove laborer, oh,..efly a .11stor end pruner. 7orseu Citrus canner. Parbare Derry Duraey„ v7ritor Tiorenim 740 Ttuss. revieer. FItAit .17) "0 MO in, tidy do you stavl there ;moo/drill" am31jjjy1 .1.erAcont ve icro as I blocked on the first of three doors of the wall apartment. Men, as hesitated, the door %MS rime open and a flustorod yourg?. wornn arolorAsed. rroodness$ rionso do mauve no, I…

[Albert and Anne Denham]

Florida, United States, Hicoria · 1939-02-07 · 14 pages
Recorded by: Darsey, Barbara Berry, Franklin, Anne, Franklin, Bob

10.1,7V TY,U February 7, 1939 Bob and Anne Franklin (white) Hicoria, Florida Country store proprietor a nd fa mar. Borhare Berry Dorseyswriter Veronica L. Huss, reviser "Anne, frg wife," said abort Denman, "she hen gone to twon this mornin with another 1E47. Meg ain't came back yet. I'm sorry silo ain't hero, and I hope she oeme book before you gate gone; sheen bo rluri glad to see you.'' woro sitting on the front porch of Pho. Domanes home noor Mooring Florida than he mado this statement. He…

[Lolly Bleu--Florida Squatter]

Venus, Florida, United States · 1938-11-29 · 10 pages
Recorded by: Bleu, Lolly, Darsey, Barbara Berry

Aeikk &A .4 A0bOrt tcree Vows. elorlde 11(zIo00 Oarbara i)orry ,Airso;i LOLL y BLEU Lolly ltd not meet me at the loot vien 1 knooSedo but Ln rosvese to t lam, imtles ,Qorle La, Ammon I ontered tno lama trent room et the dmell1o6. S30 jai sittitc LIM 0 10W rooan6 ehaLr the porehtjpe,ao14- inG a,on Ivo lap a ehild %raw Jbe etas earethlly ieodloG• who lam, moot ana ataal, wad hor noir AU& solootaly brushed.- Liar drools -sea aid (,t1d k0a0a, Oat e/oan. "vi4440 taut ohalr rijlt beets' tho ,;ost…

[The Newton Family]

Florida, Miami, United States · 1938-12-14 · 8 pages
Recorded by: Delamater, Walter A., Francis, Mabel B., Newton, Jack

FEDERAL WRITERBI PROJEOT Miami, Florida Mabel B. Francis Utter 1,925 words e Pages THE NEWTON FAMILY John Newton Blair's family Rural Route #1 Pembrook Road North Miami, Florida December 14, 1938 Walter A, DeLamater Bituaied on a little farm near Miami, Florida is the small cottage that is the home of Jack and Margaret Newton and their three small children, Joanne, eight years old, Betty five, and Jack junior, two. The farm consists of about seven and a half acres of land, half of whioh is…

[Jane Clayton]

Miami, Florida, United States · 1939-01-15 · 12 pages
Recorded by: Clayton, Jane, Delamater, Walter A.

2,830 Words JAIN CLAYTON 'Tannery 15, WAN The Grant tagaily (white) North Nisei Mimi, Florida ftitymma Walter A. DeLamater Writer About fifteen miles north of Miami and six miles west of Hollywood is located the small, well -kept dairy farm of the Clayton family.. They live in a large, rambling stucco house consisting of an immense living room, three bedrooms, kitchen and bath. The house was built after the 1926 hurricane and is very strongly constructed, all the essential connections being…

[Dave and Jeanette Bevely]

Florida, United States, Lakeland · 1939-01-13 · 6 pages
Recorded by: Beverly, Dave, Beverly, Jeanette, Diggs, Paul

FederaliVjriters, ruject Paul Diggs Lakeland; Florida Janurary 13 1939 Bevely, Dave ana Jeanette -7 64 h,ke ire Dfive Lakeland, Florida 44k2 DA:, AE JI.,ANETTE BIN'4 Al2Cli,a1N A C L Dave was stopping traffic at the busy intersection of Iowa Avenue and the Atlantic Coast Lips Railroad, There he st,od with the Tound galvanized sign with a handle, and the word "atop" printed on both sides. Be Was bolding it above his bead to warn the on cowing drivrs in the automobiles that a.train was…

[John and Susan Wright]

Florida, United States, Lakeland · 1939-01-06 · 8 pages
Recorded by: Diggs, Paul, Wright, John, Wright, Susan

Federal -v.riterst Project Paul Diggs Lakeland, Florida January eth, 196e Wright, J ha ana Susan Route 2 Box 72 E Lakeland, Florida John and Susan Wright. 26104 Three and one-half miles east, of Lakeland„ on State Highway 3.7 there is a. truck farmer located abut one-half mile oft. the main highway. along side of the .,Alantic Coast Line Railroad.(Routew2 Box '7 i.). In this quaint old house live John ana Susan Wright and his two grandchildren. The occupants receive a welcome blow of the…

[John and Hannah Whitehead]

United States, Florida · 1939-02-17 · 11 pages
Recorded by: Diggs, Paul, Whitehead, Hannah, Whitehead, John

Federal ioriters, Project Paul Diggs Lakeland, Flort_ea February 17,196i0 Whiteheadjohn Hannah 41110) tittes% Lakel,nd, JOMN ADD MAIMAH WH1TIISLAD. Lka CUTT.4i LA most Florida CitiOW therels a ty..e of colored men who earm tibiAr livelihood gutting lams ,of the homes of the wait 4 white home owners. They oan be 210611 going through the streets with lawn mowers1 pushing them, in small home made wagons,or n Ube back of ola automobiles, going to their res,ective jobs; or solicting a job In Joe…