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This interview with Marcelina Rodriguez Rondon took place on September 16, 2013 in Amherst, New York and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Marcelina was born in Puerto Rico but came to Lackawanna with her parents in search of better employment…

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…

This interview with Maria Torres took place on September 27, 2012 in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Maria was born in Puerto Rico and later moved to Florida before finally establishing a home in Buffalo. She and her husband would…

This interview with Nivian Rodriguez Perez took place on October 24, 2013 in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Nivian Rodriguez Perez was born in Puerto Rico but moved to Buffalo in 1952 when she was 9 years old. She was placed in a…

This interview with Olivia Padilla took place on April 22, 2014 in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo and Casimiro Rodriguez. Olivia Padilla was born in Lackawanna to Spanish parents who migrated to the region after passing through…

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 Rosa Aviles took place on September 13, 2012 at the Lackawanna Public Library and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Rosa Aviles was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Buffalo at the age of 10 years old in 1953. She attended the…

This interview took place in Vidal’s home in Buffalo, NY. Alma Carrillo conducted the interview. Vidal was born September 22, 1931. He came to Buffalo originally from Puerto Rico looking for more opportunity. He arrived in Western New York in 1951,…

Raul Russi was the first Puerto Rican police officer in the City of Buffalo. He became a political activist and helped elect the first Hispanic judge in the City's history. He served as the Assistant Superintendent of the Erie County Correctional…

This barbershop was one of the first Hispanic owned businesses in the community. Felix Magui Rodriguez to this day still has the chair from his barber shop.