Jan Yaeger

Laurel Baird was interviewed on October 10, 2014 by Jan Yaeger at the Seldovia Conference Center in Seldovia, Alaska. In this interview, Laurel talks about her family background and growing up in Seldovia. She shares memories of playing as a child, what the community was like and activities they did, and particular people she remembers. She also mentions changes after the 1964 Alaska Earthquake.

Andy Anderson was interviewed on January 30, 2015 by Jan Yaeger at his home in Seldovia, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Andy talks about coming to Seldovia, getting hired as the police chief, and the challenges of being a police officer in a small town. He also talks about changes in Seldovia after the 1964 Alaska Earthquake.

Carl Lindstedt, Jr. was interviewed on February 5, 2015 by Jan Yaeger in the Seldovia Village Tribe's small conference room in Seldovia, Alaska. In this interview, Carl talks about his father, his fishing, and his role in Seldovia, including owning the Linwood Bar. Carl also talks about his own fishing and memories of growing up in Seldovia, including the boardwalk. swimming hole and beaches, going to school, and some of the old-timers in the community. He also discusses how the community has changed and the arrival of the ferryboat, Tustumena.

Hugh Q. Smith was interviewed on January 20, 2015 by Jan Yaeger at the Seldovia Conference Center in Seldovia, Alaska. In this interview, Hugh talks about his career as a shop and math teacher in Seldovia, as well as his work as a contractor building homes and public buildings around Seldovia. He also talks about the changes he has seen in the community and what he foresees for the future.

Louis "Lou" Collier was interviewed on August 20, 2014 by Jan Yaeger at the Seldovia Conference Center in Seldovia, Alaska. In this interview, Lou talks about the history of Seldovia from when there were active canneries, to the 1964 Alaska Earthquake, to how the Urban Renewal Program changed the physical layout of the community, to construction of the new school and community building. He also talks about local government, politics, and planning in Seldovia.

Shirly Giles was interviewed on August 17, 2015 by Jan Yaeger at the Seldovia Museum in Seldovia, Alaska. In this interview, Shirly talks about arriving in Seldovia, the 1964 Earthquake and the subsequent changes that occured in the community. She also talks about working at the library, getting a new school built with a swimming pool, and how Seldovia celebrates Fourth of July. In her discussion of community change, Shirly mentions introduction of cars, the role of the school, businesses that have come and gone, and wintertime activities.

This is a continuation of the interview with John Gruber on September 3, 2015 by Jan Yaeger at the Seldovia Museum in Seldovia, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, John talks about his grandparents, Jack and Susan English, their love for the community of Seldovia, and their role in the community changes and Urban Renewal after the 1964 Earthquake. He also talks about what Seldovia was like when he was a child, how it changed after the earthquake, and the history of some of the old buildings still standing around town.

This is a continuation of the interview with Michael "Mike" Miller on February 3, 2016 by Jan Yaeger at the Seldovia Museum in Seldovia, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Mike talks about memories of Russian Christmans celebrations when growing up in Seldovia, his experience with the 1964 Earthquake on a boat in Adak, Alaska, and his father's work as a police officer in Seldovia, including some of the difficult things he had to deal with. Mike also talks about why he decided to return to and settle in Seldovia.

Jack Thomas was interviewed on July 19, 2016 by Jan Yaeger at his home in Seldovia, Alaska. In this interview, Jack talks about working in the logging business at Jakolof Bay, fishing for crab with Joseph "Josie" Carlough, and how much he likes the freedom on living in a place like Seldovia. He talks about his friends Jack Hopkins and Bob Gruber, and about his welding and building activities.

Lillian Elvsaas and her daughter, Sharon Bond, were interviewed on September 7, 2017 by Jan Yaeger at the Public Library in Homer, Alaska. In this interview, Lillian and Sharon share their memories of Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Seldovia, Alaska, and discuss Russian Orthodox traditions in the communities in the area. They talk about resident priests versus traveling priests, how the number of people attending services has changed, specific traditions followed for Lent, Christmas, New Year's, Name's Day, and weddings, and how traditions are carried out differently in different places. They also discuss the closing, restoration, and re-consecration of Saint Nicholas Church in Seldovia.