Interviewee: Ester Haynes-Lenail
Interviewer: Michael Haynes
Relationship: Grandmother
Date: January 10, 2001
 

A women leaves to help her sister

What is your full name?

My name is Ester Haynes-Lenail.

What is your nationality?

Black

What is your date of birth?

January 6, nineteen twenty-eight.

Where were you born?

St. George, South Carolina.

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

I moved to Philadelphia in 1946.

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

I came to Philadelphia to help take care of my sister's children.

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

Nothing I dislike about my home town.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Because of my older sister.

How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

By train.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

My sister was living in Philadelphia and that's where I lived.

With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]

Alone.

Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?

Beautiful country, lovely people.

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places

Crowded, noisy.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

It was a beautiful place in the early days.

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

Many things, work, school, exercise. No, I didn't mean to say that; oh you can hear me on this can't you?

What are the differences between when you came here and now?

It's much different back in when I came to Philadelphia everything was much nicer, pleasant, and more; today it's more people and such a great change in everything.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

Ummm..., leaving my mother, my brothers, cousins and friends.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

No problem at all.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

Very little money. My ticket was paid for by my sister and I only had enough money for food on the train.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

Very quickly.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Because today I got married and I have eight beautiful children who have done very well.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Tenth grade.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

Not really.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

If I was well-established with money and everything, I would move back to South Carolina, today!

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, where did you get money?

My first job here was working at 20th and South at my uncle's restaurant.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I would just like to say that I am grateful and thankful to our Lord and Savior who has kept me and my family together all of these years.