Immigrant Oral History Project

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:	Immigrant Oral History Project
Date range:	1976-1978
Creator:	Oral History Project of Rhode Island
Extent:	1 box (.5 linear feet)
Abstract:	The Immigrant Oral Histories Collection was a part of the Oral History Project of Rhode Island begun in 1970 by the Rhode Island Department of State Library Services (DSLS). DSLS discontinued its participation in the project in early 1974. The History Department, University of Rhode Island continued the project for the next several years.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	University Archives and Special Collections
Collection number:	Mss. Gr. 32

Scope & content

The collection consists of 11 audio cassette tapes, transcripts, student papers, and biographical material of 13 individuals who related their life experiences as immigrants living in Rhode Island. The student papers discuss the the interviewee's ethnic heritage and include an outline of questions that were asked during each interview.

The transcript of one set of interviews, that of Portuguese Americans Mamie Goes Mello and Lydia Paulino Rego, includes a news clipping from the Providence Journal, dated November 15, 1978, which reported on Portuguese-American demonstrations agitating for greater recognition of Portuguese needs by the mayor’s office of New Bedford, MA. The Mary Pennine transcript does not have an accompanying tape, or a historical background discussion paper. The Pennine interview was conducted by Dr. Valerie Quinney in her capacity as the Associate Director of the State Oral History Project in 1976. The interviews of Scottish immigrants John Semple and Richard Cairns contain only partial transcriptions.

Arrangement

After processing, the records were organized into one series as follows:

• 1. Tapes and Related Material

Historical Information

The Immigrant Oral Histories Collection was conceived as part of the Oral History Project of Rhode Island, begun under the auspices of the Rhode Island Department of State Library Services (DSLS) in 1970. When DSLS discontinued its participation in the project in early 1974, it transferred the tapes and all related materials (transcripts, signed release forms, biographical sketches) to the History Department of the University of Rhode Island. The History Department, under the direction of Dr. Valerie Quinney, continued the project for the next several years. Dr. Quinney was the Associate Director of the State Oral History Project while it was still under the direction of the state Department of State Library Services.

In the spring of 1976, Dr. Quinney’s undergraduate history students began conducting interviews with immigrants living in the Providence, RI area. Additional interviews were conducted by Dr. Quinney’s students in 1977 and 1978.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	Open for research. Some interviews contain only a written transcript.
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:	Immigrant Oral History Project, Mss. Gr. 32, University of Rhode Island, University Archives and Special Collections.
Contact information:	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:	Transferred to the Special Collections Department of the University of Rhode Island Library by Dr. Valerie Quinney of the University's Department of History beginning in 1977.
Custodial history:	When DSLS discontinued its participation in the project in early 1974, the tapes and all related materials were transferred to the History Department of the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Valerie Quinney, continued the project through that Department for the next several years and had custody of the DSLS material at the time of transfer to the Special Collections Unit.
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 15, updated by Mark Dionne on 2020 May 07.
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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Inventory