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Post by douglaslam on Apr 3, 2012 7:17:26 GMT -5
Linda,
Your concerns of being shunned by the full-blood is uncalled for. Did you know the webmaster of this site and the majority of contributors are from Sze Yup, you father's own county? I can say for all of them that you are a very welcomed member.
Do take the plunge and dive into the deep end and introduce yourself to the Sze Yup people in New York. Of course, it is going to take time for people to warm to you, to break the ice. Father Time will work in your favour.
Genealogy search is not for everyone. It surprises me not your sister shows no interest at all. In every generation, there is always one or two individuals who want to know the family history and hand on to future generations. You are that individual who is taking up the challenge. Just think, one day you are going to connect up with living relatives in China, a land you only read of, or seen on film and TV, a land so very alien to you. It is going to be an exciting and emotional experience to look forward to.
The Chinese kept meticulous records of family and clan. The records would provide clear and concise details of lineage. But for one person, Mao, who did his utmost to destroy all.
Go! go! go1
Douglas
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Post by FayChee on Apr 3, 2012 10:22:46 GMT -5
Hi Baksha, Geoff and Douglaslam! I was up last night from 10pm until 4am reading Douglaslams "My Excellent Adventure in China", and still only got to page 16! It was like seeing a movie in my mind's eye and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. Hope to finish reading it tonight....loved the wonderful photos and commentaries...I laughed out loud several times, especially when his daughter took a photo of him catching a cat nap, and felt so bad for Ming's broken leg of which I cringed at the description of bones coming through the skin. Also, the bowl of frozen worms presented by wonderful Auntie elicited an automatic 'eye-blinking' response. The "Excellent Adventure" would make a fine book for those contemplating their own first great adventure. I was really inspired to go soon, and the tips he gave are extremely helpful for planning. I can't thank you enough DouglasLam for sharing your adventures with us. Baksha, you provided excellent advise for my Ching Ming adventure and I will do everything on the list to honor my father properly. Geoff, I can not get enough lobster and will eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, snack time and bedtime. I have also had it prepared with ginger and scallions, but love the 'egg drop soup' version the best. Gee, my mouth is watering just telling you about it.....
Douglas, my fears make me say stupid things. I will definitely visit the Sze Yup Association and see where it takes me. I have been researching both sides of my ancestry for over 35 years, but only recently has so much information been available on Ancestry.com. As I said before, finding this website was a blessing from God and I feel like you all are the chinese family that I never had.
Tomorrow, dad will get his rightful respect and honor from the blood of his living children.
Thank you all, Linda
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baksha
Member
wongyen@comcast.net
Posts: 105
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Post by baksha on Apr 4, 2012 2:17:11 GMT -5
Hi Linda,
oops. I forgot to say, people bring other foods for their cemetery picnic : dim sum, chinese pastries (dessert), some oranges and something to drink. Anyway, if you go on the weekend, enjoy the celebrations.
Don't feel too bad about getting a cool reception at the family association - The last time I went my family association, I took my sister who was born in China and a snappy Chinese speaker. I'm usually alittle intimidated to speak Toisan dialect, but I can get by if needed. I know that my Dad was an active member, so I know that I can mention his name and get the "open door policy". If the door is unlocked, you may find a bunch of senior men who like to play mahjong, smoke, and yak with each other. If the women are there, they would be in another room playing MJ too. It's their social club. They may or may not speak English. Anyone who isn't a member gets a cool reception. During the mid1950's, FBI agents went into the Chinese community requiring membership lists, pulling people in for questionings in their zealous efforts to "smoke out the communists in our mists." The family associations are places of friendships, protection, and aid for their clansmen.
Anyway, don't be discouraged on your visit to the association, you should ask a Chinese speaker (Cantonese or Toisanese speaker) with you, a smile, bring a bag of oranges. Then, let your friend introduce your "mission", then you would show a photo of your Dad, and his name in Chinese characters (not transliterations, pinyin and such) , any Chinese address or village information you might have.
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Post by douglaslam on Apr 4, 2012 7:27:43 GMT -5
Linda,
I am glad you are a getting a laugh out of my travelogue. It gives me impetus to carry on.
I have just re-organised my annual leave. Instead of going on leave in May / June, which is too close to my last one, I'll be taking my leave in Nov. I am not sure where to go yet, but I can never get enough of China. We shall see.
You are taking that important first step to celebrate Ching Ming. Ultimately, that first step will lead to China one day, and connect up with relatives you never knew you had. We are all behind you. Douglas
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Post by tyuti1668 on Apr 8, 2012 9:38:25 GMT -5
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Post by douglaslam on Apr 9, 2012 0:44:05 GMT -5
Never heard of the song before
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Post by tyuti1668 on Apr 9, 2012 8:32:37 GMT -5
Taiwanese (Hokkien) song NEVER popular in Cantonese dominated overseas Chinese community. Hokkien song are more diversity (daily life...) & meaningful than those RUBBiSH (Mandarin / Canton pop) . Highly recommend to anyone that are willing to understand the lyrics . - Teresa Teng sung a horrible ( foreign accent & pronunce some words in Mandarin ) version of this oldie
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Post by alynsoo on Jun 23, 2012 21:02:38 GMT -5
My dad was the child of a mixed marriage. He was born in 1912. His father died in 1914 and his mother died a some time later. Dad wouldn't talk about his childhood. He must have suffered a lot of discrimination, so, it was hard on the child. My grandfather took his first wife and 4 children back to China in 1902. He returned to the US and claimed his wife had died. He married my grandmother who was a much younger white woman in 1908. Now, 100 years later, I have found cousins through internet genealogy searches.
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Post by douglaslam on Jun 24, 2012 0:36:34 GMT -5
alynsoo, let's hear more of your family story. It is the human stories of the ordinary people that make this board absorbing.
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