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Nalda, Jean Baptiste

About | Abstract

About

Sheep and cattle ranch management in southeastern New Mexico (Roswell area) from the perspective of a Basque immigrant ranch manager; his family and life experience from 1913 to 2000.

Interviewee Jean Baptiste Nalda, male, born in 1913
Date Range 1913-2000
Date & Location April 7 and 17, 2000, Nalda residence, Albuquerque, N.M.
Project Working the Land
Region Southeast New Mexico
Number of Tapes 4
Transcribed July 25, 2000
Download Abstract

Abstract

Tape 1, Side A

[NOTE: tape skips for tapes one and two.]

Jean Baptiste Nalda immigrated to the United States from Urepel, in the Basque region of France in 1930. He was one of ten children born in France to Gracian and Marianne Bastanchury Nalda. Seven of the children (five boys and two girls) came to the United States beginning in 1910 or 1911.

Jean Nalda was in the military as a draftee when he got his citizenship. He and his brothers owned or worked on ranches in the Corona, Carrizozo, Pie Town and Vaughn area. The siblings kept in touch with their family in France and some went back for visits. Jean's wife, Jeanne Claire Inda, emigrated from France to marry him in 1951. They have two daughters, Rosemarie, born in 1952, and Janet, born in 1955.

In 1950, Mr. Nalda began managing the Louis and Sanders ranch thirty miles south of Vaughn, New Mexico, after his brother, the former manager, was killed. The consultant worked there until he retired in 1985. Although he raised cattle as well as sheep, he became known for the outstanding quality of his sheep, which he constantly improved through good care and selective breeding.

Mr. and Mrs. Nalda and their daughter, Janet Nalda Lyons, spoke about their families' thirty-five years on the ranch.

[Tape recording problems led to a second interview.] However, tapes one and two contain more detailed information despite some skipping.

Tape 2, Side A

[NOTE: tape skips for tapes one and two.]

Jean Baptiste Nalda immigrated to the United States from Urepel, in the Basque region of France in 1930. He was one of ten children born in France to Gracian and Marianne Bastanchury Nalda. Seven of the children (five boys and two girls) came to the United States beginning in 1910 or 1911.

Jean Nalda was in the military as a draftee when he got his citizenship. He and his brothers owned or worked on ranches in the Corona, Carrizozo, Pie Town and Vaughn area. The siblings kept in touch with their family in France and some went back for visits. Jean's wife, Jeanne Claire Inda, emigrated from France to marry him in 1951. They have two daughters, Rosemarie, born in 1952, and Janet, born in 1955.

In 1950, Mr. Nalda began managing the Louis and Sanders ranch thirty miles south of Vaughn, New Mexico, after his brother, the former manager, was killed. The consultant worked there until he retired in 1985. Although he raised cattle as well as sheep, he became known for the outstanding quality of his sheep, which he constantly improved through good care and selective breeding.

Mr. and Mrs. Nalda and their daughter, Janet Nalda Lyons, spoke about their families' thirty-five years on the ranch.

[Tape recording problems led to a second interview.] However, tapes one and two contain more detailed information despite some skipping.

Tape 3, Side A

[NOTE: These tapes contain essentially the same information as tapes one and two and were made because of concern that the earlier tapes might have been too damaged to be of value.]

Tape 4, Side A

[NOTE: These tapes contain essentially the same information as tapes one and two and were made because of concern that the earlier tapes might have been too damaged to be of value.]