Theodora Beal, affectionately called "Gram," grew up in West Tremont, Maine, in a large family of six brothers and six sisters. Her father was a fisherman, and they lived by the water, surrounded by boats and the fishing industry.

Scope and Content Note
The interview provides insights into Theodora Beal's childhood in a fishing family and their way of life. She recalls the excitement of going scalloping with her father every Saturday, the camaraderie among siblings and neighbors, and the abundance of seafood, particularly scallops and cod. Theodora discusses her father's fishing routine, leaving early in the morning and returning at dusk, and the challenging conditions they faced, including cold weather and storms. She shares a poignant memory of her father risking his life during a storm to bring a neighbor home to see his dying son. Theodora also describes the home life in her fishing family, emphasizing the shared responsibilities of housework, tending to a large garden, and raising livestock. The family's self-sufficiency allowed them to enjoy a variety of food, including fish, meat from their cows and pigs, and homegrown vegetables. Theodora reminisces about the sense of community among the fishing families in the area, with neighbors frequently gathering at their house for clam bakes and other social activities. Throughout the interview, Theodora expresses her love for fishing, swimming, and the ocean. She highlights the absence of fishing regulations during her upbringing, enabling families to fish whenever and wherever they wanted. However, she notes specific timeframes for scalloping and mentions laws related to lobstering. Theodora fondly remembers her father's resourcefulness and skills in salvaging materials, including making a lamp from a wrecked boat and building a fish house. This oral history interview offers a glimpse into the personal experiences and memories of Theodora Beal, shedding light on the fishing culture and way of life in West Tremont, Maine, during the early 20th century.