Helen DiMaggio was born in 1919 in Los Angeles and raised in San Pedro. Her father, originally from what was then Austria and later became Yugoslavia, traveled the world as a young man with a sea captain before settling in Los Angeles. Helen's mother, who came from Mexico, met Helen's father in Los Angeles, where she worked as a waitress. The couple married in 1918 and moved to San Pedro shortly thereafter. Helen's father established a wholesale fish business in San Pedro in 1921, named Star Fisheries, which became a family enterprise. Helen, the oldest child, became involved in the family business from a young age, performing tasks such as bookkeeping and managing operations. She continued to work in the business throughout her life, witnessing its evolution and expansion. 

Scope and Content Note 
The oral history interview with Helen DiMaggio, conducted as part of the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project, provides a comprehensive account of her family's immigration history, their establishment in San Pedro, and the development of their fish business, Star Fisheries. Helen recounts the early life of her father, who emigrated from Yugoslavia, and her mother, who arrived from Mexico, detailing their meeting and marriage in Los Angeles. She describes the initial challenges her father faced in the fish farming business and his eventual success in the wholesale fish trade. Helen reflects on her childhood in San Pedro, noting the linguistic and cultural transitions she experienced. She shares memories of the local fishing industry, the establishment and growth of Star Fisheries, and the contributions of various family members to the business. The interview covers the operational aspects of the fish market, including sourcing, distribution, and the evolution of the industry over time. Helen also discusses the significant changes in the local fishing industry, the decline of local fish populations, and the shift in business practices. Her reflections include the impact of these changes on the community of San Pedro and her personal feelings about the town's development and its future.