Alvin Willard Kirkham autobiography, 1919-1970

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Kirkham, Alvin Willard, 1894-
Title
Alvin Willard Kirkham autobiography
Dates
1919-1970 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 linear feet
Collection Number
MS 0021
Summary
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.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

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.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

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.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

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.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on 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.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Gift of Davis Bitton in 1970.

Processing Note

Processed by Lisle G. Brown in 1970.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • World War, 1914-1918--Personal narratives, American

Family Names

  • Kirkham family

Form or Genre Terms

  • Autobiographies