From 1932 through 1935, unemployment in the U.S. never dipped below 20 percent.
My parents, who are 90 and 91 years old, experienced the hardships of the Great Depression and I bore witness to many of the effects the crisis had on them.
Gardenstatelegacy.com notes that the nation saw unemployment rates that never went below 14 percent and, from 1932 through 1935, never dipped below 20 percent.
My parents, who both grew up on farms in South Jersey, were not affected by unemployment in the strictest sense since there was always work to do on a farm. The problem for them was that there wasn't necessarily a market to sell the products. So, the difficult economic times had a sure impact on them.
MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey
I saw how my parents were reluctant to throw things out if they could be repurposed in some way. In a sense, they were green before it was cool, but not by choice. I saw a whole barter economy that went on for decades - trading goods or labor among friends and relatives.
That background instilled lifelong habits in me. Some are valuable -- I've been able to repurpose things into games for my kids, others are curious -- I pick up every single lost coin I see, even pennies.
If you have the chance, listen to the stories of someone who lived through those times. History books offer facts about the period, but those who lived through it can share memories that make the past vivid.
Here's a gallery of photos from New Jersey taken during the Great Depression. Make sure captions are enabled to learn more.
Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.