Welcome to the SOP Memory Book!

A major accomplishment of the Federal Writers' Project (FWP) was the collection of life histories and slave narratives. These autobiographical accounts give us a first-hand account of life during the Great Depression. Now you can help continue the work of the FWP and share your family stories of the Great Depression in our "Soul of a People" Memory Book. Your memories may help others recall their own stories and encourage them to contribute. This is a chance to share history created by the people who lived it!

Submit memories via email or bring the print version to the library; you may also submit a photograph. Be sure to submit only your own content and be sensitive to copyright law. Memories will be posted online and printed out and displayed at our first and third events. (Please note: The memories will be reviewed prior to being posted; we reserve the right to make edits or reject posts.)

Feel free to contact us with any questions or for more information. Also be sure to visit our "Soul of a People" website for information about upcoming events!


Kate interviews Enid Ione Jobson

Oral histories have become a picturesque way to share amazing stories with our communities. In an interview with a dear friend, Enid Ione Jobson, 87 years old, from Essex, Connecticut, some of these memories were captured. Enid Jobson is from Sheboygan, Wisconsin and has such a grace and strength about her. She is worldly and smart and never forgets a face. She can recall many fond childhood moments being on Lake Michigan, and being fortunate enough not to be directly affected by the Depression. Although Hobson was just a child during this time, it is still clear to her. She giggles when talking about playing kick the can and her metal racecars. When asked about the effect of the Depression, she does remember meager men coming by the house looking for work and food. Her grandmother was gracious enough to share and the men would stay in the yard. Jobson also speaks of Roosevelt with kindness, mentioning the work camps he put together in an attempt to help these men dressed in their “bibs.” She speaks vividly of her history and has immense gratitude. She tells a sad tale of an African American family in need of assistance with an ailing father. The hospital asked neighbors to look after the family while the man was close to death and no one responded. It was illegal in Wisconsin to house African Americans at this time.
However, Jobson also says that “everybody pulled an oar on the boat during the Depression.” The Depression was a time of sadness but also of hope. As for the FWP, thank you to President Franklin Roosevelt for the great initiative and to the all the writers for their work.

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