Interviewee: Sarah R Boose
Interviewer: Tiana M Sawyer
Relationship: Grandmother
Date: March 15, 2001
 

A wish come true.

What is your full name?

Sarah Rebecca Boose

What is your nationality?

Afro-American and Cherokee Indian.

What is your date of birth?

June 29, 1925

Where were you born?

I was born in Savannah, Georgia.

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

I moved to Philadelphia in 1950.

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

I came to Philly to live with my sister and her husband. My husband wanted to come here to make more money.

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

I like my home, no dislikes at all. There was nothing wrong with my home.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

I came to here to be with my sister and her family.

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

I used Amtrak Train to get here. I wouldn't change anything, I like taking the train. It was very comfortable.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

I found an apartment by talking to a real-estate man.

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

Me and my three children, my husband came to Philly six months before us. He lived with my sister.

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

I remember the people because they were nice, polite, and very respectful.

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

My life changed for the better, I liked Philadelphia, I got a job.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I liked the north, they had better wages, I was more free.

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

I wanted to accomplish a better life, to have more fun. I don't feel like I need to do anything else, my life has been great. I came here to get a job, make money and to support my family.

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

When I first came it was better because it was more peaceful, and it wasn't a whole lot of drugs. Now it's a lot of drugs in my neighborhood.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I didn't sacrifice anything, but I did leave my mom, my sister and other family members.

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

I didn't have any problems - it was smooth sailing.

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

I didn't have a lot of money, not much.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I made friends, talked to neighbors, and talked to people at work.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

I came over to be with my husband and to have a better life for my children, so, yes, it was worth it.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

No high school, elementary school - I went up to fifth grade. No college, no high school, no junior high school. After I came here I didn't go back to school, I finished with a fifth grade education.

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

I never regretted moving, I like here better than my original home. I'm used to being in Philadelphia.

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

None, no reason at all. I would only visit for family emergencies. I don't want to live there.

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

I was a laundry worker. At Kline's Laundry on Frankford Ave. If I didn't have a job I would have gotten the money from my husband.

Is there anything you would like to add?

My last and final words are to this story is, I had a good life here. I married and had twelve children, one set of twins, they all have good jobs, their own homes and good families. Long life blessed loved to all of them. Even though my education stopped at fifth grade, I did work at Fairhill Elementary School. I help the kindergarten teacher out with the little ones.