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Densho Visual History Collection
Title: Mary Kato - Frances Kajita Nishi Interview
Narrators: Mary Kato, Frances Kajita Nishi
Interviewers: Barbara Yasui (primary), Tom Ikeda (secondary)
Location: Seattle, Washington
Date: March 17, 2022
Densho ID: ddr-densho-1000-494-1

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BY: This interview is with Mary Kajita Kato and Frances Kajita Nishi. It's taking place on March 17, 2022, at the Lakeshore retirement community in Seattle, Washington. And I am Barbara Yasui, I will be conducting the interview with assistance from Tom Ikeda and Dana Hoshide, who is our videographer. So we're going to start with questions about your family and your parents, and I'm going to start with you, Mary. So can you please tell us when and where you were born?

MK: I was born in 1924 in Hood River, Oregon.

BY: And what was the full name given to you when you were born? What was your full name?

MK: Mary Miyoko.

BY: So Miyoko is your middle name. And Frances, so when and where were you born?

FN: I was born in Mosier, Oregon, February 24, 1934.

BY: And what was your full name given to you when you were born?

FN: Well, my full name was Tsuyako Kajita, but then later on in 1952, I got my name Frances, because all my life I was called Frances, but it was never on the birth certificate, so I'm Frances.

BY: So even when, before you officially had your name changed, you were called Frances?

FN: Yes.

BY: Okay.

FN: When I was born, some lady came and said, "She looks like a Frances," so that's how it stuck.

BY: Okay, great.

<End Segment 1> - Copyright © 2022 Densho. All Rights Reserved.