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Alvin Willard Kirkham autobiography

 Item
Identifier: MS 0021

Scope and Contents

The Alvin Willard Kirkham autobiography (1919-1970) is a highly personalized and individualistic account. It is the story of a man proud of his family, his country, and the service he has rendered to both. His account is built around two memorable New Years, 1919 and 1970. As a marine overseas in WWI, the New Years of 1919, following the signing of the Armistice, was significatnt to him. The New Year of 1970 was the first reunion of his family, where all members attended. Interwoven between these two days is a brief account of his life, the story of his parents, as well as his grandparents. The majority of the autobiography deals with his service during WWI, his days as a student at the University of Utah, and the family reunion of 1970.

Dates

  • 1919-1970

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical / Historical

Alvin Willard Kirkham (1894-1974) was born in Lehi, Utah, on 31 July 1894, to George Kirkham and Mary Russon. He served in the American Marine Corps. during World War I. He married Rae Kathryn Rose on 13 June 1923. He later wrote an autobiography, "My Tale of Two New Years," contained in this collection, which give a brief account of his life. He died on 7 July 1974.

Extent

1 Linear Feet

Abstract

The Alvin Willard Kirkham autobiography (1919-1970) is titled "My Tale of Two New Years," which was written around incidents occurring on New Year's Day, 1919 and 1970. It includes information about his service in the Marine Corps. during WWI. It also includes incidents from the life of his parents and genealogical material on the Kirkham family.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Davis Bitton in 1970.

Processing Information

Processed by Lisle G. Brown in 1970.
Title
Inventory of the Alvin Willard Kirkham autobiography, 1919-1970
Author
Finding aid created by Lisle G. Brown
Date
© 1970 (last modified: 2019)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863