Michael Jepson

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Interviewee Sort descending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Rita Warden Vanishing Culture Project

In this interview, Rita Warden, discusses her family history; they migrated to Florida from Canada.  Though not a Cortez fisherman, Rita's husband was a carpenter and farmer in Michigan.  They wintered in Cortez from 1938 on. She talks about trailer park living and her husband's fishing when here.  Rita's husband did some shrimp netting too.  They are friends with the Guthries, one of whom was a fisherman and bridge tender.

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Ronnie Beckham In Their Own Words

Ronnie Beckham is a third-generation commercial fisherman who now is involved in clam aquaculture. He was born and raised in Cedar Key, Florida, where he worked with his father, who was also a fisherman and used to fish for turtles. Born into a family with a rich legacy in the fishing industry, Beckham's upbringing was steeped in the traditions and practices of fishing that have been passed down through generations.

Michael Jepson Cedar Key, FL Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Humanities Council
Sue Maddox Vanishing Culture Project

In this interview, Sue Turner Maddox talks about family history, not in the fishing industry.  Her husband had a drive-in in Mulberry.  They divorced and she moved to Cortez in 1965.  Maddox had visited with cousins here before.  She worked at Moore Stone crab and Bell fish Company in order to support her kids.  She got involved in fighting drug problems in Cortez and Bradenton in the 70's with some harrowing results.  She still working at Bell's Fish Company.

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Thomas "Blue" Fulford Vanishing Culture Project

Commonly known as "Blue", Thomas Fulford talks about his fishing with "Tink" Fulford, fishing on the Anna Dean, growing up in Cortez, 'Hogging' stop netting, feud with gill netters, union formation attempts, net care and conflict with sport fishermen.

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Tidy Island Museum Tour  Vanishing Culture Project

On December 9, 1993, Michael Jepson interviewed several speakers as part of the Vanishing Culture Project. The interview took place in Cortez, Florida, and covers topics related to the island's history, culture, and environment. One of the narrators provides background information about Tidy Island and discusses the two marked Indian burial grounds from the Aboriginal period and the museum's dedication to both Indigenous culture and the original white settlers on the island.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Vernon Mora Vanishing Culture Project

Vernon Mora discusses family history, fishing in Sarasota Bay.  He fished for A.P. Bell and Fulfords, worked on a dredge for a while, had a shrimp boat for a while.

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Walter Bell Vanishing Culture Project

This interview with Walter Bell, the son of A P Bell, covers his family and growing up in Cortez.  Some info about the Manatee River Fish Co. a precurser to A P Bell Fish Company and relations with other fishermen.

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Wanda Fulford Vanishing Culture Project

Wanda Fulford was born on March 23, 1933, in Cortez, Florida, to Elizabeth and James Jones.  James was a commercial fisherman.  The family moved to Englewood then to Stump Pass for a while so her father could fish for Mullet.  Her mother returned to Cortez with the family shortly, leaving James in Stump Pass.  Wanda had a sister and two brothers.  She left school with a year and a half to go to work.  Wanda worked at various jobs.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum