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Daughter of migrant Tennessee coal miner. Living in American River camp
near Sacramento, California, November 1936, photo by Dorothea Lange.
American River camp, Sacramento. Home of Tennessee family, now migratory
workers. Seven in family, came to California July 1935, following relatives who had come in 1933. Father was a coal miner
in Tennessee. Reason for coming to California. "Our neighbors were coming. We only got one or two days work a week (relief.)
Thought we could make it better here." Since arrival family has worked in walnuts, tomatoes, peaches, and the mother
has worked in a fruit cannery, November 1936, photo by Dorothea Lange.
This was the kind of work Dorothea Lange was noted for.
The top photo is a compelling combination of drama, empathy and beauty. I got the Sacramento Bee to publish
an article and the photo, but no one could identify her. A spokesperson at the Oakland (CA) Museum, where much of Lange's
collection is housed, said that Lange, in her notes, identified the girl only as Ruby, and commented that she was suffering
from tuberculosis. If she recovered, she may still be alive. Someday, I may find out.
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