Interviewer

Mireya Loza

Project

Bracero Oral History

Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee

Ms. Bacelicia Meza de Peraza was born in Amaculí, Durango; she was one of 14 brothers and sisters; she never attended school and at the age of 17 moved to Mexicali with her aunt; Ms. Bacelicia met her husband in Mexicali where he had been working as a Bracero for the past 10 years; Ms. Bacelicia and her husband bought a home in Mexicali and settled down having a total of 8 children.

Summary of Interview

Ms. Bacelicia Meza de Peraza recalls growing up in the most rural of areas, a ranch with no electricity and cars were never seen to pass by; both of her parents worked in agriculture and as a young teen she helped by harvesting carrots; at the age of 17 she moved to Mexicali with her aunt, where she worked selling magazines and books; it was in Mexicali where Ms. Bacelicia met her husband who had been a bracero for the past 10 years; she talks about them going on dates to the movies and around town; she mentions that her husband never spoke about work except when the boss treated him bad; Ms. Bacelicia’s husband was from Teacapan, Sinaloa, he originally became a bracero because his parent split up and he had to take care of his mother and sisters; Ms. Bacelicia states her husband drank every day but he never missed a day work and hardly ever got sick; Ms. Bacelicia settled down with her husband in Mexicali where they bought a home and had 8 children.

Date of Interview

5-24-2006

Length of Interview

24 minutes

Tape Number

No. 1301

Transcript Number

No. 1301

Length of Transcript

16 pages

Interview Number

No. 1301

Terms of Use

Unrestricted

Comments

Interview in Spanish.

Share

COinS