Interviewer(s): J. Piekielek. Houma, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

Jim Sell had interviewed Peggy's husband, Kermit Wurzlow, on a previous trip to Houma. He suggested that I get in touch with her to see if she might be willing to help me get in touch with wives or women who worked in the oil industry. Peggy still works at the office, Wurzlow Abstracts. In fact, she seemed to be the only one in the office when I arrived at 10:30am. She was wearing what looked like perfect summer attire, an embroidered white peasant blouse, white pants and sandals. She was very friendly and helpful, and offered to help if we needed her advice on research we were doing for Jim at the courthouse.

Peggy Wurzlow, at the age of nine, moved to live at her grandfather's home on Bayou Black Drive in Houma in 1938. She studied at the Soulet Business College in New Orleans and returned to Houma to work at the Clerk of Courts. In 1950, she began to work for Wurzlow Abstracts, where she was involved in land leasing operations for oil companies. She has continued to work for Wurzlow Abstracts to the present.