WATSONVILLE, Calif. — The Watsonville-Santa Cruz chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) seeks stories from current and past residents of Watsonville, or the general Santa Cruz County and Parajo Valley areas, as it writes “Watsonville Nihonmachi: Then and Now.”

The group hopes to incorporate stories about life in the area before and after World War II.

The organization hopes to collect stories from the first Issei settlers’ experiences in 1885, to the wartime incarceration and post-war experience, to current stories. The group adds that this may be the opportunity for community members to share their family’s story.

The stories can cover topics and groups including: farming, merchants, kenjin kai or similar associations, religious organizations, martial arts groups, cultural arts organizations (shigin, taiko, ikebana, bonsai, etc.) and civic organizations.

The Watsonville-Santa Cruz chapter of the JACL also hopes to collect photos and documents.

Any questions or submissions should be sent to Mas Hashimoto at 578 Vivienne Dr., Watsonville, CA 95076 or to hashi79@sbcglobal.net.