Box 1

Scope and Contents

Emma Lena Smith's home, which she shared with her husband, Andrew, burned down. They stayed with her daughter and son-in-law until they were able to rent a house on Garrison Ave. They moved multiple times in 1935. Their neighbors and friends provided many items to help replace what was destroyed in the fire. Andrew at this point in time was employed at the plant in town. He also did odd jobs for others in the community.

Scope and Contents Emma and Andrew moved to a place near Ceres, California. Andrew made improvements around the home including fixing the fence and putting up shelves in the kitchen. Emma and Andrew are involved in many different organizations within the community, such as the Veterans Camp, their church and the WCTU. They begin to produce fruits and vegetables on their parcel of land (i.e., oranges, rhubarb, melons, squash, cucumbers, beets, and alfalfa). They were also able to purchase a washing machine and...

Scope and Contents

Emma and Andrew attend church services on various days of the week and sometimes even twice a day in the morning and in the evening. Emma's sister, Bertha, visits from a neighboring town. Along with planting various crops, including peas and potatoes, they have cows and chickens to tend to. Although their days often follow a somewhat regular routine, every once in a while there will be a salesman that stops by to sell their goods or they are able to go see a moving picture in town.

Scope and Contents

Emma keeps busy by attending meetings and events, such as the Home Dept. Christmas party, the Ladies Aid covered dish dinner and quilting parties. Emma makes candy and nut breads and shares the olives and almonds that they've grown with their neighbors. Emma spends a day with her parents who came for a visit and they take a day trip to Sacrament, Sutter's Fort and the College of the Pacific. Mildred and Mitchell adopted a baby boy. Andrew was laid off from his job.

Scope and Contents

Andrew continues to look for work. He spends his time helping out at other farms, grinding feed, picking peaches, and carpentry work. He also does some occasional construction work on the church. Emma spends much of her time canning the fruit that they have grown or received from neighbors. Their car and tractor both had mechanical issues.

Scope and Contents

Andrew works long hours irrigating and cultivating the pasture and garden, sometimes watering during the middle of the night. Emma's days are filled with household chores, making jams, visiting neighbors and attending church events. The war in Europe begins to affect the prices of some goods. Andrew has rented some land from a Japanese American family and also helps them once in a while with their crops.

Scope and Contents

There are many weddings and funerals that Emma and Andrew attend. They have purchased a different place to live and spend time fixing it up. Emma writes about the Japan raiding Pearl Harbor and President Roosevelt declaring war against the Axis forces. Andrew belongs to the Veterans Camp and he was made a corporal to help organize items. There is no mention of the Japanese American family between October 1941 and September 1945.

Scope and Contents

Andrew received medical shots to help with his arthritis. Emma and Mildred sewed dresses and helped at the church Bazaar. Emma and Andrew sell their place and move in with Mildred and her family. Mildred's husband decides to build a new house with Andrew's help. They continue to farm and can fruits and vegetables.

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Emma travels to Chowchilla to visit the doctor and is told she has high blood pressure. She spends some time helping at the Red Cross. Emma and Andrew have been having some disagreements. On February 15, they decide to separate. Andrew persuades Emma to reconsider. The Japanese American family returns from WWII Incarceration Camp and Andrew helps them get settled.

Scope and Contents

Andrew works construction on the Parsonage. Their grandson, Dickie, has the measles, which are passed on to Mildred. Emma and Andrew move at least twice in this year. They take a vacation and ride the train to San Diego and have an excursion to Tijuana, Mexico.