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1819-ca. 1980 (Creation)
- Creator
- McKay (family)
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2.5 m of textual records 355 photographs 61 negatives 16 volumes
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Kenneth Weir McKay was the longest serving Clerk of Elgin County. He served from December 15, 1882 until December 1, 1939, continuing the family’s connection to the office; his uncle, John McKay, was the first clerk and his father, William McKay, was the second. K. W. McKay was considered the leading expert on municipal government during his day, participating is several monumental initiatives such as the codification of the Municipal Act, the Assessment Act and the creation of the Ontario Good Roads Association. He furthermore founded and was the first editor of Municipal World magazine in St. Thomas. This magazine remains based in Elgin County and is a vital source of information on local government across Canada and abroad. K. W. McKay was on numerous committees and supported numerous causes including the Red Cross Society, St. Thomas and Elgin County Children’s Aid Society, Alma College Board, and Elgin Historical and Scientific Institute. His historical prowess was well established; he authored the chapter on local government in Ontario for the seminal national history Canada and its Provinces (1914) as well as several books and articles on local history. K. W. McKay was born to William McKay and Susan Sells of Southwold Township in 1862. He had an abiding interest in the family’s genealogy and organized many events and reunions at his home Selldon, Payne’s Mills (the ancestral home of the Sell’s family). This abiding interest is reflected in the fonds. Elgin County Council passed a by-law in 1939 declaring Mr. McKay Clerk Emeritus for the county. He died October 4th, 1941. A more detailed biography is contained in the publication Documenting Our Roots: A Sesquicentennial History of the County of Elgin, 1852-2002 available through the Elgin County Library.
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The fonds consists of records and photographs related to the McKay family, including the Sells and Bower family lines. The material covers the planning of the Sells family reunion at Selldon, various financial records and legal documents, K.W. McKay’s career as County clerk, newspaper clippings, Elgin County history and numerous Bower family photographs. The material has been arranged into the following series: McKay Family Series Kenneth Weir (K.W.) McKay Series William McKay Series John McKay Series Sells Family Series Bowers Family Series Elgin County History Series Land Registry Office Documents Photographs of St. Thomas Miscellaneous Legal Documents Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Photographs Local Newspaper Clippings Non-Local Newspaper Clippings
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Elgin County Clerk fonds