T. Harry
Williams Center for Oral History Collection
INTERVIEWEE
NAME:
Nell Byars COLLECTION: 4700.0830
IDENTIFICATION: [1925- ] Wife of Dr. Vance Byars, World War II
Veteran
INTERVIEWER: Adele Foster
PROJECT: World War II
DATES: June 30, 1997 FOCUS DATES:
1940s-1950s
ABSTRACT:
T
1193
Byars's
birth date, place and family information; occupation of her father; how her
father came to American and settled in Louisiana; how her parents met; a car
accident and the long term effects on her father and family; her father's shoe
store in Baton Rouge; religious affiliation of the her family; where she
attending elementary school; the depression; her mother's role as family
provider after her fathers death; housecleaning; how she spent her time in the
afternoons; attending Baton Rouge Highschool; graduation with caps and gowns
instead of the traditional clothes: making wedding plans; arranging aspects of
the wedding; the effect of the war on her ability to obtain a wedding gown and
photographic film; how she met her husband; dating; following her husband to
his different post so that they could see on another on weekends; obtaining
housing with other army wives; meeting up with him prior to his shipping out;
what her thoughts were prior to their marriage knowing he would be sent
oversees; writing to each other during the war; what Baton Rouge was like
during the war; friends who were injured or killed in the war; her husbands
return after the war; her husband having nightmares of the war; finishing his education;
employment; building a home and having a family; going back to work after her
first child was born; her husband's decision to attend medical school in New
Orleans; moving to New Orleans; working with her husband after his practice was
established; her grandchildren; her views on today and the discipline of
children; living in New Orleans.
TAPES:
1193 TOTAL
PLAYING TIME: Approx. 1.5 hours
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PAGES TRANSCRIPT: 37
RESTRICTIONS: None.