Interviewer
Myrna Parra Mantilla
Project
Bracero Oral History
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Guadalupe Balderrama was born in Santa Isabel, Chihuahua, México, in 1920; he helped his father work in the fields; he also went to school for a few years; he worked as a bracero in Texas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Summary of Interview
Mr. Baderrama briefly recounts his childhood, and how times were very hard for him and his family; he was only able to go to school for three years; he went to Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México, to begin the hiring process for the Bracero Program; in 1953, he was sent to El Paso, Texas; his first work contract took him to Canutillo, Texas; as a bracero, he worked in cotton, cucumber, and beet fields; he recalls that many braceros bought their groceries from the rancher’s stores; whenever the braceros had free time, they liked to play billiards.
Date of Interview
5-11-2003
Length of Interview
15 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 962
Transcript Number
No. 962
Length of Transcript
12 pages
Interview Number
No. 962
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Guadalupe Balderrama by Myrna Parra Mantilla, 2003, "Interview no. 962," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview in Spanish.