Johanna "Jennie" Caputo Lambert Interview
Jennie (1892-1980) discussed the old Saratoga while interviewed by Beatriz Swartfigure Sweeney, the former City Historian of Saratoga Springs. They discuss topics about the old Saratoga and West Side, when the population was changing from a majority Irish to majority Italian. During the interview, Francis Labelle and Angeline (Lambert) Labelle were also present and gave their input at times. Angeline is Jennie's daughter, Mary Ann’s aunt, and Anna’s sister.
Beatriz and Jennie are not related, but they displaying a connection by remembering the same things at different times and places places and they were both raised by working class immigrant families.
Interview took place in 1974, but Jennie is still able to look back and reflect upon the difference between now and then. The West Side is going in decline and people are reminiscent and nostalgic about it.
Johanna (Jennie) is not an Italian name even though both of her parents are Italian. When Giuseppe and Maria immigrated to Saratoga Springs, the area was predominately Irish. The other townspeople took the Caputo family under their wing, welcoming them to the community, and bestowed the name of Johanna to her.