Yancy William Welch, born on December 9, 1965, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a lifelong resident of Oak Grove, a small town located approximately 40 miles away. Raised in a family deeply rooted in the rural traditions of Louisiana's wetlands, Welch's upbringing was characterized by a strong sense of community and family involvement in shared tasks, such as gardening and cattle rearing. His family's livelihood was primarily based on agriculture and hunting, with his father working as a school teacher to supplement their income. During the summer, Welch and his family cultivated large gardens, while in the winter, they trapped animals and tended to their cattle. As a teenager in the early 1970s, Welch began participating in alligator hunting, a practice that had recently been reintroduced in the region. He also gained extensive experience in trapping and hunting ducks and other waterfowl. Welch's life was also marked by the impact of natural disasters, which he recounts with a sense of resilience and acceptance. He describes the experience of losing his home and possessions to storms, only to rebuild and face the same loss years later.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Yancy Welch, conducted by Susan Testroet-Bergeron on August 2, 2012, provides a rich and detailed account of life in Louisiana's wetlands from the perspective of a lifelong resident. Welch shares his experiences and memories of growing up in Oak Grove, Louisiana, highlighting the unique lifestyle and traditions of the region. The interview covers a range of topics, including Welch's family's agricultural practices, hunting and trapping activities, and the impact of natural disasters on their lives. Welch's narrative offers valuable insights into the socio-economic conditions of rural Louisiana in the late 20th century, particularly the reliance on agriculture, hunting, and trapping for survival. He also discusses the changes he has observed in his community over time, such as the decline of family farming and the impact of environmental changes on local flora. The interview also touches on the devastating effects of natural disasters, with Welch recounting the loss of his home and possessions to storms on two separate occasions. Despite the hardships, Welch's narrative is imbued with a sense of resilience and acceptance, providing a poignant reflection on the challenges and rewards of life in Louisiana's wetlands.