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Post by weiquong on Jan 13, 2010 1:18:56 GMT -5
Can someone confirm what my great grandfather's English surname should have been. Various records show the name written as Way and Quong. He married an Australian girl in 1883 in an Anglican Church. The marriage certificate shows him born in Canton, China which is all we really know about him. Hopefully, the attachment is clear enough to enable his Chinese signature to be read. Thank you. Attachments:
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Post by Ah Gin on Jan 13, 2010 3:38:51 GMT -5
Wee Quong, My failing eye sight reads the Chinese signature on the certificate as "Wee Quong". The Chinese words are, I think, 惠光 I think Wee Quong is his "given name". Scanning through Wiki 's 100 Surname, I can't seem to see a Wee or a Quong as Surnames. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred_Family_SurnamesSo I guess I can't give you a definitive answer regarding his English surname. Mind you, I am no expert. Maybe others on the Forum can help. Regards, Ah Gin |
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Post by helen on Jan 13, 2010 4:09:17 GMT -5
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Post by helen on Jan 13, 2010 4:18:57 GMT -5
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Post by helen on Jan 13, 2010 4:24:04 GMT -5
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Post by helen on Jan 13, 2010 4:30:57 GMT -5
Title Certificate Exempting from Dictation Test (CEDT) - Name: Quong Waey [Way] - Nationality: Chinese - Birthplace: Canton - departed for China per EMPIRE on 18 March 1911, returned to Brisbane per EMPIRE on 13 August 1911 Series number J2483 Control symbol 65/44 Contents date range 1911 - 1911 Access status Open Location Brisbane Barcode 9095342 naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Items_Listing.asp?S=7&C=361&O=0&M=20&F=321 |
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Post by helen on Jan 13, 2010 4:31:52 GMT -5
Title Certificate Exempting from Dictation Test (CEDT) - Name: Way Quong (of Hookon & Co., Brisbane) - Nationality: Chinese - Birthplace: Canton - departed for China per ST ALBANS on 19 December 1916, returned per nikko maru on 14 November 1918 Series number J2483 Control symbol 225/100 Contents date range 1916 - 1918 Access status Open Location Brisbane Barcode 9119695 naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Items_Listing.asp?S=7&C=361&O=0&M=20&F=341 |
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Post by geoff on Jan 13, 2010 14:59:44 GMT -5
Hello weiquong,
Have you checked NSW BDM online?
A search of NSW births using last name QUONG & mother's given name of Eliza, from 1880 to 1909, there are 2 births........
1. Registered in 1888, Wilfred P QUONG. Father: Way, mother: Eliza, Reg: Delegate NSW.
2. Reg in 1893, James L QUONG. Father: William W, mother: Eliza F, Reg: Bombala NSW.
Helen has done a search on National Archives of Australia site....naa.gov.au & found the following......
Title
Wee Quong; Ah Chin - naturalisation
Series number
A712 Control symbol
1882/W5636 Contents date range
1882 - 1882
Access status
Open Location
Canberra
Barcode
1615952
The Wee Quong; Ah Chin - naturalisation, is worth checking out with NAA, for 3 reasons:
1. "Wee Quong" is part of the your ggfather's known as name.
2. "Ah Chin" maybe part of his new Aussie name derived from "Chin" which maybe part of his chinese name. Given or surname, who knows?
3. Why did "Wee Quong; Ah Chin" become naturalised? Naturalisation gave the person the right to own property & to vote.
On your ggfather's marriage certificate, it states that he was a "lodging housekeeper". Was he an employee or the owner? If he was the owner of the lodging house then he would have had to be naturalised. As this peron was naturalised in 1882, it maybe the same William Wee Quong who married in 1883.
Geoff
Sydney
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Post by weiquong on Jan 18, 2010 1:49:25 GMT -5
Thank you for your replies. They are much appreciated.
William's age on his children's birth registrations was variously given as being born between 1839 and 1850 with the majority being 1839. His name was sometimes written as Wei, Wayquong, Wey Quong, Way Quong, (the childrens' surnames were written Way Quong at school).
William's step-daughter could remember people visiting their home which had beautiful furniture. However she was quite elderly when speaking about her step-father and we think it is more probable that the furniture was in a Joss House. Does anyone know if it was usual for accommodation to be available at a Joss House?
William was a carpenter and the family was very poor.
I have copies of the Naturalisation records posted by Helen. The mentioned Wee Quong was a tobacco manufacturing manager in Wangaratta, Victoria, and took his oath in Melbourne on 23 April 1882. I guess it is possible that he was naturalised and later moved across the border as there were Chinese in Tumut growing tobacco and other market garden crops. In 1872 there was a storekeeper in nearby Adelong whose name was QUONG Wah Ah Nam but a connection is not known. I could not find William Way Quong listed in the 1903 electoral roll.
The Wee Quong: Ah Chin naturalisation is for 2 separate people.
The certificates of exemption listed are also not my William who would have been unable to afford travel to and from China and who is believed to have returned to China around 1902.
William's youngest son, Walter Francis Way was adopted by Yet Chong in 1902 when aged 4 years, following his mother's death and later taken to China.
Thank you once again for your help.
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Post by weiquong on Jan 18, 2010 1:57:14 GMT -5
Sorry, forgot to attach copy of Naturalisation Memorial. Does the signature look anything like Wee Quong's signature on his marriage certificate forwarded earlier? Thanks, Pat Attachments:
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Post by tyuti1668 on Jan 18, 2010 2:08:23 GMT -5
it's 維廣. The pronunciation can search in here. |
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Post by geoff on Jan 19, 2010 14:52:52 GMT -5
Hello Pat,
There must have been a rush to naturalise in Vic in 1882. On my gggfather's naturalisation, his oath was taken 8 Feb 1882, cert #7557. Wee Quong took his oath 24th April 1882, cert #7653.
Regards,
geoff
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