071 - Josephine

Discover the poignant stories within the Slave Narratives, a remarkable collection born from the Federal Writers Project, sponsored by the Library of Congress and the Works Progress Administration. This first volume focuses on Alabama and features verbatim accounts gathered from personal interviews with former slaves conducted between 1936 and 1938. These narratives, recorded as closely as possible in the narrators own words, provide a vital glimpse into the lived experiences of those who endured the trials of slavery. They are more than just stories; they are a unique form of folk history, capturing the voices of participants and witnesses to a painful chapter in American history. Join us as we delve into these invaluable life histories, starting with Volume I of this extensive 34-volume series. - Summary by Larry Wilson