The Library of Congress houses a remarkable collection of life histories compiled by the Federal Writers’ Project, a New Deal initiative that employed writers during the Great Depression. From 1936 to 1940, over 300 writers from 24 states worked tirelessly to document the lives of everyday Americans, resulting in a collection of approximately 2,900 documents that offer a fascinating glimpse into the past.
These life histories, typically ranging from 2,000 to 15,000 words, take various forms, including narratives, dialogues, reports, and case histories. They chronicle the vivid stories of individuals who lived at the turn of the century, sharing tales of meeting legendary figures like Billy the Kid, surviving the devastating 1871 Chicago fire, embarking on pioneer journeys out West, enduring grueling factory work, and experiencing life as an immigrant in America.
The Federal Writers’ Project employed a diverse group of writers, including notable figures such as Ralph Ellison, Nelson Algren, and May Swenson. These writers often described the physical appearance, family, education, income, occupation, political views, religion, and mores of their subjects, providing a comprehensive portrait of American life during this period.
Within the Federal Writers’ Project, the Folklore Project, led by John A. Lomax, Benjamin A. Botkin, and Morton Royce, focused on collecting and preserving traditional statements, expressions, songs, essays, and stories, with a particular emphasis on accounts of frontier and pioneer life. The collected lore and narratives were intended to serve as the basis for anthologies that would create a composite and comprehensive portrait of various groups of people in America.
The Folklore Project’s life histories offer a rich tapestry of rural and urban life, interwoven with accounts of ethnic group traditions, customs related to planting, cooking, marriage, death, celebrations, and recreation. These narratives provide an invaluable resource for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of American life during the early 20th century.
