Transcript of an interview with Nell Lenard, secretary, administrative assistant, homemaker, and community organizer, who helped bring senior citizen's center, the Dietert Center to the city of Kerrville, Texas. Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, she and her husband John Houston Lenard lived in Tomball, near Houston, before moving to Kerrville with their family. Nell raised four boys and a girl and was heavily involved in her their lives and activities.

Transcript of an interview with Jo Ann "Josie" Lochte Redden, Montessori educator and stained glass artist, discussing her German extended family, her upbringing in Kerrville, Texas, life in New York, and travel with her husband John throughout Texas and western United States to photograph, catalogue, and reproduce Native American pictographs, or rock paintings.

Transcript of an interview with Louis Romero Jr., who carried on the Mexican food business and Tortilla Factory started by his grandmother, Delphina Torres, in Kerrville. The interview discusses his family history, upbringing, the development of Torres, a Mexican restaurant, his grandmother's sending canned tamales to World War II troops, military service, and family. Photographs and documents relating to the interview follow the transcript text.

Transcript of an interview with James (Bud) Wright, an entomologist and inventor who has several patents. He received a PhD in Medical Entomology from Texas A&M in 1963 and worked in the field of printentomology. He specialized in neurohormonal mechanisms of metamorphosis and reproduction in economically damaging arthropods. He led the program that led to the eradication of the boll weevil. Married to Judy Wright, the two had a blended family of two sons, two daughters, and many grandchildren. The interview covers his family history, education and research, enjoyment of bass fishing, and ranching of cows and calves in retirement. Copies of photos are included at the end of the transcript.

Personal statements of Meikina, Meigon, Meilan, Longlan, and Brian Stuy regarding the adoptions of Meikina, Meigon, and Meilan from Guangdong Province (Meikina and Meigon) and Henan Province (Meilan) in China. Meikina describes her role as big sister and her feelings when meeting each of her sisters for the first time. Meigon shares her feelings on her connections to China and Chinese culture, and Meilan shares her early memories from China. Longlan discusses her family's history, her childhood during the 1970s in Guangdong Province, and the effects of China's One Child Policy on the affected generations. Brian describes the research he's done to help connect adoptees to their birth families and his views on international adoption. There is a photo of the family on the last page of the document.

Personal statements of Charlotte Cotter and Willa Mei Kurland regarding their adoptions from Zhenjiang City in Jiangsu Province (Charlotte) and from Urumqi in Xinjiang Province, China. The statement begins with a brief overview of their trip to China to search for their birth families, then has reproduced their blog posts from their time in China. The blogs, written by both Charlotte and Willa, contain their reflections on the experience and describe the methods they used to search. The last couple pages include photos Willa and Charlotte and links to youtube videos.

Personal statement of Audrey Copeland and Lori Hall regarding the adoption of Audrey from the Maogang Social Welfare Institute in Maoming, Guagdong Province, China. Audrey discusses her feelings about being adopted and Lori describes her decision to and the process of adopting Audrey. There is a photograph of Audrey Copeland on the second page.

Personal statement of Bai Yi Min Mershon Blasek Foxweldon (Ming) regarding her adoption from Kunming, China, describing her experiences of growing up as an adopted child in the United States and her search for her birth parents. There is a photo of Bai Yi Min at the end of the statement.

Personal statement of Jeanette Scinto regarding her adoption from the Chenzhou Welfare Center in Hunan Province, China. She shares her desire to know her entire story and thoughts regarding her Chinese name, Dan Dan. There is a photo of Jeanette included on the second page of her statement.

Personal statements of Colleen and Corinne McKisson regarding the adoption of Colleen from Kunming, China. Colleen shares her adoption story and discusses her life in Washinton and her interests. Corinne describes how she and her husband arrived at the decision to adopt Colleen and her older sister Campbell from China, discusses her daughter's interests and personalities, and the community support she received following her divorce. There is a photo of Colleen in a soccer uniform on the fourth page of the document.

Personal statement of Gao (last name not given) regarding her adoption of from Xi'an, China to the Netherlands. She discusses her struggles with identity as an adoptee and her trip to China in 2014. There is a photo of her, looking away from the camera, on the second page.

Personal statement of Jian Rzeszewicz regarding her adoption from Zhan-Jian, Guadong Province, China. She discusses her feelings on adoption and her advocacy for adoptees at her university. There is a photo of Jian as a baby with her mother, and a caregiver included on the second page of the statement.

Personal statements of Lily and Rachel Stafeil regarding the adoption of Lily Stafeil from Guangdong Province, China. Lily speaks about her interests and family, including the family's three dogs, mentioning that she'd like to visit China someday. Rachel describes a trip to China during graduate school, Lily's adoption, and the changes the family has faced since then, including her and her husband's divorce. There is a photo of Lily at the end of the document.

Personal statement of Zoe Watts regarding her adoption from Yulin, China. She describes her thoughts about "fitting in" and the struggles she has had with identity, both internally and in how she is perceived. There is a photo of her at the end of her statement.

Personal statement of Parrie Liu Maio regarding her adoption from Changsha, Hunan Province, China. She discusses her aspirations for the future and her feelings about adoptions following her getting in contact with an adoption worker from her orphanage. There is a link to an essay she wrote about adoption on "No Hands But Ours" and a photo of Parrie Liu as a child.

Personal statements of Delaney Isley, Darrell Isley, and Betsey Isley regarding the adoption of Delaney Isley from the Fuling Social Welfare Institute in Chongqing Province. Delaney's statement discusses her interests, family pets, and dealing with bullies. Darrell and Betsey's statement describes how they arrived at the decision to adopt from China and their efforts to involve Delaney in Chinese cultural activities. There is a photo of the Isley family on the third page of the statement.

Personal statements of Lily, Barb, and Jean Morris regarding the adoption of Lily from Guangxi Province, China. Lily shares her adoption story, feelings about her trips to China, and details about her life and interests. Barb shares her joy over raising Lily and her feelings on adoptions, and Jean discusses her feelings on being an aunt to Lily. There is a photo of Lily on the last page of the document.

Personal statement of Marilyn and Nora Brock regarding the adoption of Nora Brock from the QiChun Social Welfare Institute in Hubei Province, China. Nora discusses her eighth birthday, which was spent in China, and Marilyn describes the process of adopting Nora. There is a photo of Nora Brock being interviewed on the second page.

Personal statement of Emi and Diane Pennington regarding the adoption of Emi Pennington from Shaoyang, Hunan Province, China. Emi discusses her ambivalence toward visiting China and Diane speaks about the reactions she receives from other people when her and Emi are together in public. There is a photo of Diane and Emi on the second page of the statement.

Transcript of an interview with Joyce and Bob Barton. Joyce played stand-up string bass with the Poverty Playboys. She holds a Fine Arts degree and painted, particularly oils. Her work has been exhibited in Kerrville and numerous regional juried shows. She is married to Bob Barton, a lawyer, who served as Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney, District Attorney, and District Judge. He also taught at St. Mary's Law School and authored two books for law enforcement officers. The couple have three children, three grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Several photos follow the transcript text.

Transcript of an interview with Karen and Clark Klein. Karen attended Notre Dame Catholic School in Kerrville and graduated from Tivy High School before completed a course at Durham Business College. She worked at Wool and Mohair Warehouse in Ingram before marrying Clark in 1962. Clark also attended Notre Dame School and Tivy where the couple met. He served in the Army for three years, worked briefly the postal services, and enlisted again in the National Guard. He served until 1982 and achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major. The couple had three children and lived in San Antonio, Austin for ten years, before moving back to Kerrville. Several photos follow the transcript text.

Transcript of an interview with Joe Schmerber, who worked for and helped establish departments in Mooney Aircraft Company and Bridgestone Tires. The interview discusses his parents, early years as one of nine children, his work experience, education, interest in aviation, and family life. Copies of photographs follow the transcript.

Transcript of an interview with Lois Lorraine Green Shaw and Evelyn Mills Shields who have been friends for 49 years and live on the same street. Lois Shaw moved to Kerrville with her husband. She attended nursing school and worked in the operating room at Sid Peterson Hospital for many years, and later as a geriatrics administrator at a care facility. She is active in her church, St. Paul Methodist, and has served on many community boards. She and her husband Charles (deceased) had seven children. Evelyn Shields graduated from Doyle High School, she worked as therapist at Kerrville State Hospital for 33 years. She enjoys cooking and is active in her church, Mount Olive Baptist. She and her husband Vernon (deceased) had four children. Both women are members of the Red Hatters. Photographs relating to the interview follow the transcript text.

Personal statement of Patty and Jim Berry regarding the adoption of Lucy Berry from the Dongguan Social Welfare Institute in Guangdong Province, China, discussing the medical needs of their daughter, Lucy. There is a photo of Patty, Jim, and Lucy Berry on the bottom half of the page.