Collections : [Center for Documentary Research and Practice]

This collection of interviews reflects on the Indianapolis, Indiana neighborhood, Stringtown. While a wide variety of ages is represented, most of the interviewees are older individuals. Pervasive throughout is the idea that Stringtown is a relatively stable, distinct neighborhood with well-defined boundaries. Some of the major topics include the increase of crime and vandalism, the increased delinquency of the children due, in part, to parental neglect, the decline of the community in terms of housing and business, and the lack of education and ambition among many of the residents. Also discussed is the closing of School 16, the familial ties within the community, and the role of church and politics in the neighborhood.

This collection of interviews deals with different ethnic groups in Indiana between the 1910s and the 1970s. Most of the interviewees are first generation Americans born around the turn of the century. They share their life histories, discussing mainly the World War II era, what they lived through, what brought them to the United States, and how they adjusted to American life. They discuss their native cultures and traditions, as well as their involvement in American life.

This project deals with the Automobile Industry in Indiana and why it declined. The interviewees discuss industry within Indiana, concentrating on Indianapolis in the nineteen twenties.

This project discusses labor in Indiana. The main topics include the labor movement in Indiana, women and work, coal mining, and auto workers. The United Auto Workers, United Mine Workers of America, and other labor unions are discussed. The interviewees discuss participation in labor strikes and the leadership in their unions.

This project is comprised of 59 interviews with doctors who have practiced medicine in the state of Indiana from approximately the nineteen thirties until the nineteen seventies, eighties, and nineties. The doctors share personal anecdotes about their medical practices in both rural and urban areas, their perspectives on the many changes medicine has undergone in the twentieth century, and the greatest satisfaction they received from their profession. Many interviews include physicians' experiences during World War II, African-American physicians' experiences under segregation, and how each individual adjusted to a profession that became increasingly specialized over the years.

The Indian American Community in Fort Wayne interviews focus on those Indian persons who have either permanently or temporarily made Fort Wayne, Indiana their home. These people have moved to Fort Wayne mostly for job-related purposes but have stayed on for other reasons: the excellent education system, the nice environment, and friendly community. The interviewees, some of whom were born here or have spent most of their lives here, share a common respect for Indian religious and social customs, diet, and language. These interviews thus provide keen insight into the ways Indian Americans shape their lives in the American context and how they combine Indian and American culture. This project was co-directed by Professor M. Gail Hickey of the School of Education at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne.

Indian American Communities in Indiana provides a sampling of Indian American voices, most of whom were born in India and now reside in the United States. Among the topics discussed are maintaining Indian cultural values in an American context, religious beliefs and practices, imparting Indian traditions and values to children born to Indian parents but are growing up in the United States, differences between Indian born and American born Indian Americans, educational and career choices, politics of India and America, current events, Indian community associations, and cultural differences between India and America. his project was co-directed by Professor M. Gail Hickey of the School of Education at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne.

This project consists of Indian American views of all aspects of life in the United States and India. Most interviewed in this project were born in India and came to America in search of better education, or because their spouse came for more educational and business oppurtunities. They discuss their reasons for immigrating to the United States, and their reasons for remaining to raise their children. They talk about the ways they practice Indian traditions and values in an American context and the importance of the larger Indian American community in their lives. They also discuss advantages and disadvantages of living in America, and what they miss or don't miss about their homeland of India. Other topics discussed are educational background, work history, religion and religious practice, and raising children. This project was co-directed by Professor M. Gail Hickey of the School of Education at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne.

This project, sponsored by a CLIO grant from the Indiana Historical Society, consists of interviews with Indian Americans living in Indiana. The interviewees, the majority of whom were born in India and immigrated to the United States, discuss a variety of topics including: Indian foodways, Indian traditions, Indian national politics, education, career choice, family history, parenting philosophy, reasons for coming to the United States, reasons for remaining in the United States, citizenship and naturalization, marriage and dating customs. media coverage of India, and differences between Indian and American cultures. This project was co-directed by Professor M. Gail Hickey of the School of Education at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne.

These interviews trace the life histories of five blues musicians in Indianapolis, Indiana. The interviewees discuss their experiences, their knowledge of blues and jazz, and their musical contemporaries. In addition, several comment on the segregation and racism that characterized life in the earlier part of the twentieth century.