Scope and Contents

SANGAMON RIVER PROJECT Bertha Craig discusses life along the Sangamon River at Petersburg, Illinois: the floods of 1926 and 1943, fishing and swimming, plants and animals along the river, Lake Springfield, Lake Petersburg and its dam, farmer's dams, and home remedies.

1 tape, 60 mins., 19 pp. Interview by Judith Haynes, 1980 OPEN See collateral file: interviewer's notes and articles on the Sangamon River.

Scope and Contents Bertha Craig discusses life and in Petersburg, Illinois during the early and mid 20th century. She recalls growing up as an illegitimate and interracial child, her family, racial discrimination, African-Americans, poor whites, and work as a housekeeper; marriage, family planning, and children; WWI and black soldiers; the 1918 influenza epidemic; 1920's and the Depression; homemade foods; the Sangamon River and Lake Springfield; WWII; and trips to Springfield. She also discusses her family...