Interviewee

Clara Eligio Tenorio

Interviewer

Mireya Loza

Project

Bracero Oral History

Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee

Clara Eligio Tenorio was born on the Isla de Janitzio, Michoacán, México; she comes from a large family with a number of sisters, all of whom passed away; her parents were fisherman; Clara later married at the age of sixteen; her husband served in the bracero program and completed two contracts; they went on to have seven children, four girls and three boys.

Summary of Interview

Ms. Eligio briefly talks about her family; she later married at the age of sixteen; her husband served in the bracero program and completed two contracts; he left with her brother, which helped her feel more at ease; in the United States her husband picked tomatoes and was gone for a few months at a time; while he was away she made nets to sell, which was how she survived; moreover, she was also able to catch and sell fish to supplement her income; she lived with her mother-in-law, and they had a good relationship; Clara was also able to visit with her mother quite often while her husband was not there; she recalls that there were a number of wives left without husbands as well; upon her husband’s return, he brought back what little money he managed to save; Clara and her husband went on to have seven children, four girls and three boys.

Date of Interview

6-26-2008

Length of Interview

13 minutes

Tape Number

No. 1435

Transcript Number

No. 1435

Length of Transcript

14 pages

Transcriber

GMR Transcription Services

Interview Number

No. 1435

Terms of Use

Unrestricted

Comments

Interview in Spanish.

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