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Carmen Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico and arrived in Buffalo to reunite with her sister. Carmen did not speak English when she arrived but could read and write. Her brother-in-law brought her to the unemployment office where she found a job…

Evelyn Pizarro was born in Puerto Rico and migrated to Buffalo with her family. Her father originally travelled to Western New York as a migrant worker and eventually decided to stay in the area and establish a home for him and his family. Evelyn…

This interview with Maria Alvira took place on October 27, 2012 in West Seneca, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Maria came with her family from Eagle Pass, Texas to Lackawanna, NY. After moving around to different states and farms, Maria…

Pedro Maurás was born in Puerto Rico and worked on a sugar plantation until he received notice from his brother that there were well paying jobs in Buffalo. Pedro migrated to Buffalo without a formal education but eventually found employment on a…

This interview with Alicia Granto took place on August 26, 2013 in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Alicia was born in Cuba but later migrated with her family to Niagara Falls, NY. Alicia was fifteen years old when she first arrived…

This interview with Ana Velazquez took place on September 6, 2013 in Orchard Park, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Ana Velazquez grew up in Texas with her family until they later moved to Bay City, Michigan where her parents found new…

This interview with Ventura Colon was conducted by Maritza Vega on August 3, 2014. Ventura Colon arrived in Buffalo as a child in 1956. He grew up on the East Side in a predominantly Italian and Puerto Rican community. At the time, the East Side was…

This interview with Miguel Santos took place on March 1, 2012 in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Miguel arrived in Buffalo to find that there was a growing Hispanic population and became actively involved in supporting it. Miguel…

This interview with Eleanor Paterson took place at Erie Community College (ECC) in Downtown Buffalo, NY. Eleanor is the director of the Bilingual Program at ECC and has been a part of the Hispanic Women’s League since 1983. Eleanor comes from a…

This interview with Lucy Candelario took place on May 8, 2014 at the Father Belle Center in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Lucy was born in Buffalo, NY to a Puerto Rican migrant family. Lucy’s father and grandfather both worked…