What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the journey of the Purdie Family in Harlem through the lens of the Great Migration.

February 26, 2026Open Access

Coffee & Lemon Cake: Harlem in Transition & One Family's Story

Key Points

To examine the journey of the Purdie Family in Harlem through the lens of the Great Migration.
Analyzed oral histories from family members
Conducted archival research to gather historical context
Explored family interactions with Harlem's evolving landscape
Traced the family's legacy and experiences in Harlem
Highlighted factors contributing to their settlement in the neighborhood
Documented reactions to the city's changes over time

Abstract

"Coffee and Lemon Cake" is a Substack post studying the beginning of the Purdie Family's experiences in Harlem and New York City at large via the Great Migration. It is a combination of oral history, family and archival research that traces the legacy of a Black American family in Harlem, the factors that contributed to their arrival there, and their reactions to the changes within the city as the family grows. The live Substack post is available here: https://annelisajpurdie.substack.com/p/coffee-and-lemon-cake-harlem-in-transition

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