Interviewer

Mireya Loza

Project

Bracero Oral History

Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee

Isidro de Jesus Perez was born on June 25,1934 in San Pedro Ixtlahuaca, Oaxaca, México; His parents worked in the fields; Mr. Perez lived with his grandparents since he was a child; They worked selling tortillas; When Mr. Perez was twelve years old, he worked selling firewood. He was hired as a bracero and worked picking cotton in California.

Summary of Interview

Isidro Perez lived with his grandparents and completed third grade. He started working when his grandfather died. In 1960, Mr. Perez traveled to Empalme, Sonora to be hired as a bracero but he did not started working until 1962, picking cotton in El Centro, California. He returned to work as a bracero in Anaheim in the orange fields. He renewed his contract for the last time and worked in Stockton picking cucumber and tomatoes. Perez remembered that one time he became ill and his boss took him to the hospital in Anaheim. Perez made a lot of friends while he was working as a bracero. Working as a bracero was very helpful to Mr. Perez because he found a better life for him and for his wife. He returned to San Pedro Ixtlahuaca, Oaxaca, Mexico and returned to work in the fields.

Date of Interview

7-3-2008

Length of Interview

37 minutes

Tape Number

No. 1448

Transcript Number

No. 1448

Length of Transcript

25 pages

Transcriber

Unknown

Interview Number

No. 1448

Terms of Use

Unrestricted

Comments

Interview in Spanish.

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