Oral History:
Interview#: OH027
Interviewee: Molly O'Keeffe
Interviewer: Barbara Ditman
Date: 1/04/2012
Location: Home of Molly O'Keeffe
Length: 1:21:00
Subjects: O'Keefe family, sheep ranching, Malin
| Time Index | Topic |
| 0:00 - 5:56 | Introductions; Molly's family. |
| 5:56 - 12:30 | Molly's first memory at three or four years old. |
| 12:30 - 19:00 | Dad as friend of Indians. |
| 19:00 - 20:10 | Molly's brothers & sisters; family brand; marriage to Bill O'Keeffe; Ireland family origins. |
| 20:10 - 24:20 | Happy holidays at home; sheep-herders included; losts of music - especially dancing to accordion & fiddle; Molly love to dance; step-dancing discussed; Christmas with oranges on the Christmas tree; an important doll remembered. |
| 24:20 - 28:00 | Family horses; care and riding important to Molly and ranching life. |
| 28:00 - 29:15 | Fun activities: potluck get-together in Lorella; dances; family model A Ford truck remembered. |
| 29:15 - 31:10 | Sheep trailed in Molly's married life, up to Yamsi Mountain; kinds of sheep; policies of raising and marketing lambs, "jacketing". |
| 31:10 - 35:09 | Problems with predators and policies of protection of predators causing disappearance of sheep ranching. |
| 35:09 - 39:48 | No difference seen between cattle and sheep in grass-eating habits. |
| 39:48 - 41:35 | Molly's schooling; early work in Malin Pharmacy; stress on importance of accepting responsibility in life. Czech people as farmers of grain, potatoes, rye in Malin area. Iris names notable in livestock raising in this area. |
| 41:35 - 48:15 | Molly roping a badger with her brother. |
| 48:15 - 50:00 | Home probably build by Molly's grandparents; no electricity, phone, or indoor plumbing. Saturday night tub baths. Bread made every day. Mother busy at home. Molly used to killing and preparing of chickens for meals. |
| 50:00 - 53:20 | Molly's married life involved sheep ranching: shearing, marketing. Most of these activities done by the men. |
| 53:20 - 54:50 | Her family still farming in the Malin area: potatoes, alfalfa, grains - all in rotation; Other products also now. |
| 54:50 - 1:13:20 | Molly's family, memories, and community involvement. |
| 1:13:20 - 1:15:08 | Biggest influence in Molly's life was her father; his illness and early death. |
| 1:15:08 - 1:16:50 | Her happiest time: "I love my life! I did it all! I love every day of it!". |
| 1:16:50 - 1:21:00 | Molly's final comments, on environmentalists and her life. |
(WAV format)
The interview's video file can be watched in the Shaw Historical Library during open hours