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Alvin D. McCurdy was born in 1916
in Amherstburg, Essex County, Ontario, where he lived
throughout his life. He worked professionally as a carpenter
and was a long-time member of the Carpenters and Joiners
Union, as well as a Freemason and active member of the
Baptist church. In addition, McCurdy was involved with
anti-discrimination groups such as the Amherstburg Community
Club and the Amherstburg Progressive Association of Coloured
People.
He was also an historian, genealogist, and collector
of black history material. During his lifetime, he amassed
dozens of newspaper clippings and postcards relating to
southern Ontario and the northern United States, as well
as a variety of textual records such as minutes, research
files, scrapbooks, and correspondence. He also collected
approximately 3000 photographs of church activities, social
and cultural events, and friends and family members.
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to see a larger image (100K)
Alvin D. McCurdy and Thomas Kilgallin, an Amherstburg
official [later Town Admistrator and Clerk], 1974
Alvin
D. McCurdy fonds
Reference Code: F 2076-16-1-3-1
Archives of Ontario, I0024813
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Alvin
McCurdy passed away in 1989 and his records were purchased
by the Archives from his estate in 1990. His collection
is the Archives' largest and most important source of
information about the history of the black community in
Ontario. The Collection includes materials that pre-date
the founding of the province in 1791, and extends through
the mid-20th century. This exhibit illustrates some of
the key events and trends in Ontario black history with
pictures and documents drawn from the McCurdy Collection.
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to see a larger image (89K)
Portrait of George McCurdy, [ca. 1975]
Alvin
D. McCurdy fonds
Reference Code: F 2076-16-1-2
Archives of Ontario, I0026083
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"Friends . . . you or I cannot
build a bridge back over the years to retrace certain
instances of life, but a bridge of memory can be constructed
within our minds and souls, to span the years and
grasp, out of the past, certain accomplishments that
may be utilized for the betterment of ourselves and
for all mankind as a whole . . ."
Alvin D. McCurdy
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Feedback
Please let us know what you thought of this
exhibit. We also welcome any suggestions for ways it can
be improved so please take a few moments to send us your
comments by filling in the form below.
Personal information
provided to the Archives through this request will be used
only to respond to requests. This information is collected
under the authority of the Archives and Recordkeeping Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, chapter 34, Schedule A.
Questions about the collection of this information should
be directed to: Team Leader, Strategic Business Solutions,
Archives of Ontario, 77 Grenville St. Toronto, ON, M5S 1B3,
416-327-1527. |
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