i'm an anthropologist by training. one of the things that i love about anthropology is its methodology--participant observation, interviews, writing and coding field notes. ever since i was an undergraduate, doing mini-ethnographies, i have immensely enjoyed my time "in the field."
unfortunately (?), my topic of interest pulls me away from my training. for the past several years, i've been looking at mexican segregation, which has necessitated more historical research than anything else. i have only the vaguest sense that i am doing things "right," but i think that the story is important, so i'm pushing forward.
these past couple of weeks i've found myself muddling through property records--some digitized, others on pages that seem like they will crumble in your hands. i'm looking at old maps--platt maps, townsite maps--trying to create a picture of what a racially segregated community (with some exceptions) looked like. i'm recording the names of people who, according to the rules of segregation--should not have lived on a particular side of the tracks (but they did!).
i wonder who these mexican people were. were they old land grant families? were they wealthy? racially white? and what was life like for them on the south side of the tracks? did they speak spanish at home and english with their neighbors? how did they relate to the mexicans on the other side of the tracks? what about culture?
it's an incredible challenge to piece together an historical portrait of a community, especially when you feel like you don't have all the pieces! some of them come from property records. i had a breakthrough the other day with an affidavit. when the city planner explained blocks and lots on the map, i could interpret the records better and even imagine who might have been neighbors.
i'm scheduling oral history interviews this week with the hope that they will help me to tell the story. in the meantime, i'll be looking at court cases and city commission meeting minutes to try to find more pieces to the puzzle.
wish me luck!
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3 comments:
ah, isn't it glamerous being in the archivo field? be sure to keep the dust off you. :D
When I was in San Antonio in 99, I announced myself as an anthropologist to a group of seniors where I was looking for interviewees. They guy who introduced me to the group said, "Who knows what that is?" Nobody raised a hand. Then he said, "Well I don't know either but I've got a problem with my behind I want him to look at." After that I started saying I was a historian. People seemed to recognize that one.
I just found your blog, wonderful post.
I'd like to speak with you but can't find an email contact...it's about exactly what you write about. I'm a writer, and would like to pick your brain on your particular area of expertise. Would that be possible?
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