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North Valley Oral History Project

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-572-BC

Scope and Content

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

  • 1983-1986

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.

Extent

1.57 Cubic Feet (3 Boxes)

Related Material

Emma Moya collection on the History of Old Town Albuquerque and related Communities, Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico.

Separated Material

Photographs have been transferred to North Valley Oral History Project photograph collection.

Relevant Secondary Sources

  • Sargeant, Kathryn and Mary Davis. Shining River Precious Land: An Oral History of Albuquerque's North Valley. Albuquerque: Albuquerque Museum, 1984.
Title
Finding Aid of the North Valley Oral History Project, 1983-1986
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by B. Silbergleit
Date
©2000
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

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