Interview with Reyes V. Casanova

Creator

Reyes Villarreal Casanova
Cynthia E. Garza

Identifier

Oral history 00146

Files

Creation Date

1-1-1987

Description

The interview with Reyes Villarreal Casanova, conducted in 1987 by her granddaughter Cynthia E. Garza, reflects her experiences growing up in Harlingen, Texas, during the early 20th century. She describes a childhood marked by poverty, strict family values, and limited educational opportunities, compounded by language barriers and racial discrimination in schools. Casanova recounts working from a young age to support her family, enduring hardships such as lack of running water, inadequate housing, and long walks to school, while also sharing vivid memories of cultural norms, community life, and historical events like the Great Depression and World War II. Later in life, she emphasizes resilience, faith, and the importance of family, illustrating how these values helped her navigate challenges and raise her own children.

Format

Compressed from a .wav format into a .mp3 access format at 128kbps.

Length

01:20:51

Language

English

Notes

Interview conducted in 1987 by Cynthia E. Garza. Digital transfer completed on 15 October 2013 from the analog cassette tape. Audio recorded in two parts, stitched together in Media Encorder. Transcript created using MS Word AI (12/11/2025).

Recommended Citation

Rio Grande Valley Oral Histories Collection; Reyes V. Casanova, 1987-06-28. ELIBR-0027. University Library, Special Collections and Archives, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX. Accessed via https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/rgvoralhistories/58