Samuel Fine Oral History

University of Rhode Island, University Archives and Special Collections
15 Lippitt Road
Kingston, RI 02881-2011
Tel: 401-874-4632

email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Published in 2008

Collection Overview

Title:	Samuel Fine Oral History
Date range:	1975-1976
Creator:	Fine, Samuel
Extent:	1 box (.25 linear feet)
Abstract:	The Samuel Fine interviews were conducted by Prof. Charles Wiener a faculty member of MIT, over a two year period at the Fine family reunions in 1975 and 1976. This oral history is representative of Eastern European families that immigrated to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	University of Rhode Island, University Archives and Special Collections
Collection number:	Mss. Gr. 203

Scope & content

The collection contains four cassette audio tapes of two separate interviews. There are no transcripts or permission forms. The recordings are audible but are poor quality.

Arrangement

After processing, the records were organized into chronological order by date of the interview.

• 1. Tapes

Historical Information

The Samuel Fine interviews were conducted by Prof. Charles Wiener in August of 1975 and July of 1976. Wiener, a faculty member of MIT, conducted the interviews over a two year period at the Fine family reunions in 1975 and 1976. The Fines, Russian Jews, immigrated to the United States in 1900 and settled in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The family moved from Hell’s Kitchen around 1904 and settled in Attleboro, MA when Samuel was six years old. Fine spent most of his life in the Attleboro area. Members of the Fine family, including Benjamin Fine, attended the University of Rhode Island.

The interview of August 11, 1975 begins with the history of his family in Russia and ends at beginning of World War II. The second interview, conducted on July 10, 1976, continues Fine's years post WWII to 1976. Fine's story is representative of many immigrant families who came to America from Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	Open for research.
Use of the materials:	Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Archivist when in compliance to the Unit's policy on copyright and publication.
Preferred citation:	Samuel Fine Oral History, Mss. Gr. 203, University of Rhode Island, University Archives and Special Collections.
Contact information:	University of Rhode Island, University Archives and Special Collections 15 Lippitt Road Kingston, RI 02881-2011 Tel: 401-874-4632 email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	These tapes were donated to the University Library by Prof. James Findlay in July 1984.
Custodial history:	Given by Prof. Charles Wiener to Prof. James Findlay and kept by Findlay until transfer to Distinctive Collections.
Processing information:	The records were processed in 2008.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Russell Franks.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Sarina R. Wyant on 2008 May 01, updated by Hailie D. Posey on 2009 September 22, updated by Mark Dionne on2020 May 06
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material:

Benjamin Fine Papers, Mss. Gr. 5

Inventory

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Inventory