James Bradford was born on July 30, 1930, in Morristown, but was raised in Port Norris where he also attended school. After leaving Port Norris, he served in the Navy and was stationed in Norfolk for three years, with a one-year duty in Hawaii. Upon his return, he worked on an oyster boat for Norman Jefferies, Sr. in Greenwich. His parents were Janet Bradford and Earl Bradford, originally from Newport. He had two brothers, Robert and Earl.

George "Babe" Wallace and Freddie Smith are seasoned veterans of the oyster industry, having dedicated over half a century to shucking oysters. Their lives have been deeply intertwined with the local area, their work, and their families. Wallace and Smith's family backgrounds are rich with stories of work on oyster boats and the tradition of singing gospel songs while shucking oysters. Smith, in particular, has experienced the highs and lows of life, having been married multiple times and tragically losing his daughter in a car accident.

William H. Bradway, Jr. describes his work experience while employed by the Port Norris Oyster Company including the company business, employees, boats that were owned by the company and the captains who ran the boats. He discusses who they sold their oysters to, where the plant was located. He also goes into detail the genealogy of ownership since the beginning of the company. The company had a shucking house associated with the canning and shipping and he shares stories about the shuckers and where they lived.

Bill Biggs (1926-2001), John Dubois (1912-2001), Charlie Elmer (1912-2006), Arthur Hinson (1917-2012), Jack King (1928-2001), Joe Lore (1910-2000), and Mort Hughes (1920-2012) are retired oystermen whose recollections spanned from post World War I (1918) through the 1990s.  These men represent the fading legacy of traditional oystermen who navigated the waters during the era of sail-powered dredging. Their lives on the water are characterized by the intimate knowledge of oystering, a craft honed through seasons of planting and harvesting the bivalves.

John Breslin, Jr. grew up in South Jersey, where both his parents were raised and worked in the Millville, New Jersey area mother,  His mother, Mabel Banks Holt, worked as an office manager for the shucking house F.F. East Co., Inc. in Maurice River Township, New Jersey, from the 1930s to the early 1950s. She traveled across the country for business with oyster wholesalers and clients. After F.F. East's death, Mrs. Holt took charge of the shucking house. Mr. Breslin taught history at Port Norris Elementary School from 1952-57.

The Oyster Shuckers, a group of individuals from the Bayshore area, share a rich heritage rooted in the maritime traditions of Port Norris, New Jersey. Their lives are interwoven with the rhythms of the Delaware Bay, where generations have toiled in the pursuit of harvesting and processing oysters. These men and women come from diverse backgrounds, each carrying personal histories that reflect the broader narrative of the oyster industry.

Richard Camp is a third-generation railbird pusher (guide). He is the son of Kenneth Camp and grandson of Hise Camp, a well-known family who live along the Maurice River in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, and operated Camp's Farm Market until 2015. Richard started pushing when he was fourteen or fifteen years old in 1970.

Mr.

Phillip Cisrow is a seasoned oyster shucker from the Whittington-Cisrow family, recognized for his expertise and achievements as a state champion in New Jersey. His proficiency in oyster shucking is not merely a professional endeavor but also a family tradition, indicating a deep-rooted connection to the industry. Cisrow's skills extend beyond his primary occupation, as he is also known for his interest in playing pool. His involvement in the oyster industry and his participation in related competitions highlight his dedication and passion for his craft.

Sisters Carrie Jamison (b. 1921) and Edith Selby (b. 1927) grew up in "uptown" Port Norris, New Jersey. As children, they were not allowed to go to Shell Pile or the river (Bivalve). Their parents were from Saint Mary's County, Maryland. Their father came here to work on the boats and on farms. They attended Shiloh Baptist Church. In the early 1940s, they both worked in oyster houses as shuckers including Robbins Brothers, Carl Reed, Stowman's Brothers, Peterson Packing and George Gaskell.