Emma Peoples Smith, the great granddaughter of Richard Peoples who was a prominent citizen in the Providence township of Mecklenburg County during the 19th century, describes her life and her family history. [All times approximate]. Overview of Mrs. Smith's family history and how she became interested in genealogy when she gained ownership of the family papers in 2004 [00:00-11:00]. Detail about Mrs. Smith's great grandfather Richard Peoples, his work and his ownership of enslaved people [11:00]. Failing family fortunes during the 1930s following the loss of the original family home on Rae Road to a fire in 1930, and stories about Mrs. Smith's experiences as a child living in a former tenant house following the fire [12:40]. Detail about Mrs. Smith's father, James McDill Peoples and his work as a travelling salesman selling sugar and coffee and travelling around the country by rail [18:37]. Detail about Mattie Perry, Mrs. Smith's mother, who was from Washington, North Carolina [22:40]. Sardis Presbyterian Church where Mrs. Smith's grandfather and great grandfather were both elders, and the role of the church as a social and spiritual center [24:40]. The family's experiences during the Depression years [27:23]. Old Providence School where Mrs. Smith attended elementary school [28:48]. Discussion of neighboring farm families and roads in the area [33:00]. Detail about life in the tenant house where Mrs. Smith grew up with its separate kitchen, lack of running water, and tight quarters. Challenges with growing cotton. [34:28]. Family relocation closer to Sardis Presbyterian Church following the death of James McDill Peoples, and living in the home of Reverend John Hunter who was related to the Peoples family [36:47]. Canning at the Matthews cannery [39:48]. Detail about Mrs. Smith's grandfather's and great grandfather's skill as cabinet makers [43:40]. Description of how the wider family transplanted to other states, including Tennessee [47:15]. Family connection to Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina, and Mrs. Smith's own experiences at Sharon School and Erskine college [49:00]. Meeting her husband, Albert Smith, who was a graduate of UNC State [55:00]. The community around Sardis Presbyterian Church, her connection to the Black Kirkpatrick family who owned land in the area that became the Sherwood Forest neighborhood off Sardis Rd., and Hazeline Kirkpatrick who was Mrs. Smith's nanny and who later looked after Mrs. Smith's own children [58:53]. Detail about the molasses mill, the wheat mill, and the well at the People's homeplace on Rae Rd. [1:04:00]. Mattie Perry People's work at Belks and Sears Department Stores after James McDill People's died [1:10:00]. Visiting Charlotte for movies and shopping as a youth [1:19:00]. Albert Smith's engineering work with the Southern Railway [1:22:30]. Teenage pastimes [1:25:44]. Reflections on the home front in Charlotte during World War II and the loss of her older brother Preston who died during training before he was deployed [1:31:00].