The Depression- For Some, It Just Was Not That Bad

Creator: Hall, Genevieve

: Boyd, Robert Lee Jr.

: Phillips, Versie

In this project, Genevieve Hall interviewed Robert Lee Boyd Jr, and Versie Phillips about their experiences during the Great Depression. The two had differing experiences from other survivors of the depression because Ms. Phillips grew up on a farm and had everything they needed, while Mr. Boyd’s family owned a store. These interviews are interesting because they provide a different perspective from many depression stories we have heard. This interview is among projects created by students enrolled in English 446 (initially English 452), “Appalachian Folklore,” 1981-2019, and in graduate level counterparts English 548 and 648 “Appalachian Folk Culture(s)” offered 17 fall semesters between 1987 and 2009. Minimally contain collector’s introduction and analysis, transcribed informant interviews, and excerpted and labeled examples of oral, customary, and/or material folklore/folklife collected primarily within the Appalachian region. Most include also tables of contents, informant information, indexes (outlines) of interviews, photographs, miscellaneous paper items, and indexes of informants, genres, and geographic locations. Accompanying audio recordings (several minutes to 2+ hours). Transferred to McConnell Library Archives & Special Collections from Appalachian Regional and Rural Studies Center, Fall 2013.