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Post by chak on Mar 7, 2010 22:37:16 GMT -5
Ah Gin, I wish I had learned even one dialect. It is a challenge - trying to do this search without the ability to read or speak any Chinese at all. I have phoned several clan associations to see if they had any information on their early members - and at least two of them have hung up on me! I am really thankful to have found this forum. You all have been so helpful and I've learned a lot about our family as a result!
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Post by Ah Gin on Mar 7, 2010 22:53:04 GMT -5
Chak,
Many thanks for your generous observations about this bunch of forum members. As Henry and others have observed many a times, collectively we are a knowledgable lot, willing to help others as we know how difficult it is to dig, to understand things that through no fault of ours never did learn in our younger days.
I know how hard it is to get a lead into an Association, especially if we do not know the people or elders personally. Somehow, "cold calls" and old folks don't mix too well. Yet on many occasions, when we get to know the elders, doors open. Don't give up. Get to know your target Association. Talk to a fellow local born CBC or ABC. Think there are Roots organisation in BC who are only too willing to help. Who knows, they may be able to help, as if anyone, they appreciate our effort to search and find our roots.
While in San Francisco, one of our members of this Forum and I visited his Clan Association for the first time, and was received with politeness. But we had to pre arrange such a visit, and it was through our Clan, which is part of the Six Companies -- and that helps.
Good luck.
Regards, Ah Gin
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Post by chak on Mar 8, 2010 10:12:28 GMT -5
Ah Gin, I'm not in the Vancouver area any more. After 20 years out of the country, I moved back to the States 2 years ago. I'm near Boston now. Will try and have someone call our association here and in Chicago and see if (s)he has better luck than I! Again, thank you - all of you - for your help and patience. I feel like it is a one-way street and hope I'm not taking advantage of your generosity. If there's anything I can do (although I can't imagine what) to help anyone out, don't hesitate to let me know! Thanks again!
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Post by Ah Gin on Mar 8, 2010 14:22:04 GMT -5
chak,
Many thanks for your kind offer of help in return. I can safely say that fellow Forum Members help each other with no expectations of return favour. As my parents remainded me when I was a young grasshopper, "Pass on the goodwill you received", which I am sure you will.
Ah, Boston and Chicago -- two of my favourite cities outside CA. Our Clan has a small Association in Boston Chinatown -- so there is enough Gin family members there. Chicago, my grandfather had a restaurant there in his younger days. According to family oral history, his restaurant was near "The Big Fire Engine/Car Head" -- I think to mean Union Station? Probably back in the 40s to 60s. In my collection I have his photo taken in a studio in a small town just outside Chicago. I have yet to dig deep enough to discover the actual name of the restaurant and if he in fact joined the local Clan Association or perhaps one of the Siyi or Chinese Business Associations. So in your travel if you do come across some histories of Chinese Restaurants around Union Station during that period, let me know. "In search of family history" sometimes work in a mysterious way. With just 6 degrees of separation we might just come across my grandfather's life in the Chicago area.
Regards, Ah Gin
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Post by chak on Mar 9, 2010 11:58:24 GMT -5
Will definitely be on the "look out", Ah Gin!
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Post by chak on Apr 5, 2010 12:22:29 GMT -5
This caption was found under a portrait of my great-grandfather, MOY Gong (given name). Can someone translate for me and let me know if the name and birthdate correspond to what I have? Moy, Nai Chee (married name) born September 1860. Thanks! Attachments:
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Post by chak on Apr 5, 2010 16:01:20 GMT -5
Another translation request - This is the cover of my grandma's birthday album. Can you tell me what it says and if it's her 70th birthday? Thanks again! Attachments:
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Post by Ah Gin on Apr 6, 2010 5:46:02 GMT -5
chak,
About your great grandfather.
His name is 梅迺熾 in Cantonese Mui Naai Chi. So it corresponds with your information, if we accepts that it was a transliteration of his name as pronounced in Hoisanwa.
His birthday: the photo has the following information: 咸豐十年庚申九月十五 this converts to 28th October 1860. Note that the year 1860 matches your record. As to the month and date, it was written in the Chinese Farmer's Date form (9th Moon, 15th day). Based on a conversion program that I have accss to, this converts to the Gregorian date of 28th Oct 1860.
Hope this helps.
Regards, Ah Gin
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Post by chak on Apr 6, 2010 16:12:29 GMT -5
Thanks, Ah Gin! My great grandpa's headstone says he was born September 15, 1959. I'm guessing that one of his American-born offspring mixed up the Chinese date with the Gregorian one. There was no date on his obituary. Since this portrait was in his parlour, I'm going to go with what you've given me. Appreciate the explanation and calendar conversion. Is there an emperor listed on the photo's caption? I have heard two different names in reference to when he was born. One was Hom Fung and one was Xianfeng. Would you know which one is correct? Again, thanks for all your help! Carol (chak) PS After reading your post, I looked for a conversion program on the internet and found this link: www.est-direct.com/china/lunarcal.phpI
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Post by tyuti1668 on Apr 6, 2010 21:38:38 GMT -5
T... Is there an emperor listed on the photo's caption? I have heard two different names in reference to when he was born. One was Hom Fung and one was Xianfeng. Would you know which one is correct? ... 咸豐 (SAME thing , different dialect= differct sound) "書同文" is the characteristic of Chinese characters ;D
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Post by Ah Gin on Apr 6, 2010 22:24:07 GMT -5
Carol, tyuti1668 explains it well. Just to add to it: 咸豐十年 is in the 10th year of the “foreign emperor” Xian Feng (pronounced in Mandarin or PTH) 庚申 pronounced as Geng Shen is stating the same year but based on another Chinese year counting system, ie 1860 Wiki does a wonderful job in explaining Calendars in general, or if you are so inclined, try this www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/calendar/chinese.shtml#year
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Post by Ah Gin on Apr 6, 2010 22:28:34 GMT -5
Carol,
PS: thanks for sharing the Calender site. Think it gave the same answer, re Gregorain date conversion, of your ggf's birthday in Chinese date, ie 28th October 1860
Regards, Ah Gin
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Post by chak on Apr 7, 2010 11:10:29 GMT -5
Once again, thank you all for your help. The more I learn - the more I realize how much I still don't know! But the journey is fun and I know so much more about my family than I did when I first found this site. Thank you, thank you! Carol
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Post by chak on Jul 6, 2010 12:02:23 GMT -5
The Chinese characters - are these a bible verse or do they say something about our family? Attachments:
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Post by tyuti1668 on Jul 6, 2010 18:47:26 GMT -5
Proverbs 22.4: True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.
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