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J. R.(Raymond) Kitts and Myrtle Means Kitts interviewed by Carleen Lazzell, 08/18/1983

 File — Multiple Containers

Scope and Content

From the Collection: In 1982, Kathryn Sargeant and Mary Davis began an archaeological survey of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, an incorporated village in the Albuquerque's North Valley. Part of the project involved speaking with local people and asking for permission to walk across and examine their properties for archaeological sites. It became apparent to Sargeant and Davis that the local people had a wealth of historical information in their memories that needed to be documented. Thus, in 1983, the North Valley Oral History Project was born with three main goals: to present a picture of life in the North Valley before its transition from a rural to a suburban community, to record oral histories for present and future populations of the North Valley, and to create a body of primary source material about the North Valley for scholarly research.

The project collected more than sixty interviews from more than 70 people, ranging from thirty to 100 years of age. Most interviews were conducted in English; several were conducted in Spanish. The Spanish interviews have been translated and transcribed into English. The North Valley Oral History Project collection includes transcripts and cassette tapes of the interviews collected, as well as a copy of the resulting book, Shining River Precious Land: An Oral History of Albuquerque's North Valley by Kathryn Sargeant and Mary Davis.

The project was funded by the Village of Los Ranchos and the Albuquerque Museum. Photographs of Sam McIlhaney have been transferred to the Center for Southwest Research Photoarchives.

Dates

  • 08/18/1983

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 1.57 Cubic Feet (3 Boxes)

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451