Boulder County Latino History
Boulder County Latino History
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  • Key Transitions, Birth to Death, 1900-1980

Key Transitions, Birth to Death, 1900-1980

This set explores some major transitions in Latinas/os’ lives and how they were celebrated:  birth/baptisms, childhood, dating, marriage, and death/funerals.

Full Text PDF: Chapter 1: Families and the Stages of Life

Angie and Ray Perez at Christening of Their Baby

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Angie Perez bathing baby

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Biographies of Boulder’s Madrigal Family, p. 6

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Children Swimming in Longmont

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Delia and Edward Tafoya, Renewal of Vows at 50th Wedding Anniversary

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Garcia Wedding Photo, 1913

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Large Group At A Traditional Wedding

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gonzales’ 50th Wedding Anniversary

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Petra and Rita Quintana Tending A Grave

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Shirley Roybal at baptism of her baby

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Small Group At A Traditional Wedding

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Three Young Children Playing in Yard

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Two toddlers in a wash tub

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Wedding of Emma Gomez and John Martinez, 1946

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Wedding, Jennie Razo and Richard Romero, 1950

February 9, 2016 / Mary Ellen Graziani /

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Historian Comments

This resource explores the key stages in life for many Latinos, and the ceremonies or rituals that accompanied them. It traces patterns of childbirth, including use of midwives, and baptisms/christenings. Babies were commonly named after relatives. The unit then talks about how young children were cared for and raised, including breastfeeding and toilet training. Children’s play and the dating patterns of young people are described, together with the impact of female employment on how people met possible marriage partners. Whereas young working women in some of the major SW cities became involved in “Zoot Suit” activities in the 1940s and 1950s, wearing pachuco clothing and going to dances or clubs on their own, Boulder women remained more conservative; most married men from their own ethnic group. Marriage was a major event, with couples and families willing to save up and spend a good deal of money in order to put on a big wedding with music and dancing at the reception after the church ceremony. The information gathered for this project reveals little evidence of conflict within marriage, probably because people do not like to mention such problems to outsiders. It is clear, however, that the opportunities for female employment in California during and after WW II caused tension in some local marriages. Death was considered a necessary conclusion to life, and children, not just adults, were taken to wakes and funerals. Early cemetery listings indicate that some–perhaps many–local Latinos were not buried in a formal graveyard with a stone that gave their name and dates. Official burial was probably too expensive for some families.

Teaching Boulder County Latino History is an extension of the Boulder County Latino History Project. This site provides resources for those interested in teaching Boulder County Latino History. The teaching resources are grounded in the books written by CU Boulder’s Distinguished Professor Marjorie McIntosh.

There are three central components to this site. The Lesson Database provides lessons for K-12 teachers. Each lesson uses primary sources and is grounded in the books by Prof. McIntosh. Beyond the curated lessons teachers are encouraged to explore the Primary Source Sets and access the full text of Prof. McIntosh’s books. The book outlines link lesson plans and primary sources to each chapter. Teachers and students are welcome to download all or parts of the books to support their learning.

Our Work

Lesson Topics

Businesses Celebrations/ ceremonies Children Civil rights activity Culture/ identity issues Deportation Education/ schools Employment, manufacturing/ unskilled Employment, professional/ skilled Families Farm work/ agriculture/ ranching Food/ cooking Government/ government programs/ laws Health/ medicine/ healing Houses/ living places Immigration Interviews done in 2013 Labor unions/ strikes Languages (Spanish and English) Mexico/ Mexicans Migrant workers Mining Music/ dancing/ art/ recreation Neighborhoods New Mexico/ New Mexicans Organizations/ clubs Police/ Sheriffs/ I.C.E. officials Political or community participation Quantitative information Racism/ discrimination/ segregation Religion/ churches Soldiers/ wars/ veterans Sports/ outdoor activities Transportation/ cars University of Colorado/ college students Women Work done by women and children

© 2023 Boulder County Latino History

CU School of Education

CU Office for Outreach and Engagement/ University of Colorado Boulder

The Colorado Health Foundation
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