Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey New
RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY NEW BRUNSWICK AN INTERVIEW WITH JOSEPH BIRISH FOR THE RUTGERS ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY MOLLY GRAHAM AND MOHAMMED ATHAR NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY MAY 30, 2015 TRANSCRIPT BY JULI MCDONALD Mohammed Athar: This begins an interview with Joseph Birish on Sunday, May 30th, 2015. Joseph Birish: Saturday. [laughter] MA: Saturday, sorry, Saturday, May 30th, 2015 in New Brunswick, New Jersey with Mohammad Athar. Molly Graham: Molly Graham. MA: I guess to begin, could you tell us where and when you were born? JB: I was born October, 26 1953 in Passaic, New Jersey, St. Mary's Hospital, even though I don't remember the actual birth. [laughter] MA: I just was interested a little bit in your family history, where your grandparents came from and, if your parents immigrated, where they came from? JB: Yes. Okay, on my father's side, my grandfather was born in the United States. His wife actually emigrated from, I guess it's Slovakia now. On my mom's side, both her parents emigrated from Poland, I believe. Obviously, they were both born and raised in the United States. My mom was born, I think, in Ami Pennsylvania. It's a small mining town. My father was born in Upstate New York, Tuxedo Park. I don't know if you want any other historical facts, but... MG: If you know any. JB: Yes, well both of them obviously grew up during the [Great] Depression so it was very, very tough back then. My dad, he had like seven sisters and one brother, so big family.
[Show full text]