Ray Seid

[Henry]

Dear Colleagues,

Please check out this interview of Ray - one of our Forum members originating from Mississippi, USA:

www.wlbt.com/global/category.asp?c=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=15133&topVideoCatNoB=139455&topVideoCatNoC=139679&topVideoCatNoD=139779&topVideoCatNoE=145314&clipId=4711406&flvUri=&partnerclipid=&topVideoCatNo=0&autoStart=true&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv

Please note that the video is copyrighted and it stipulated no commercial usage of the video.


Regards,

Henry

[wellonearth]

Hi, I'm a newbie at this forum and just to say that I enjoyed the video. I'm sure Ray will have plenty to write about. Let us know of the book's progress. Thanks.

[raymond]

"Well on Earth".....welcome to this Forum. I'm delighted that you enjoyed viewing the video. I am 4th generation Overseas Chinese, a Chinese American. I was born into the "Baby Boomer" generation (the years immediately following World War II). This is a super critical era in terms of Chinese genealogy. My generation is at a time period, for those of us who have some knowledge of our family's past and lineage, where if we do not take the time to record, document and preserve what we know, then genealogical continuity may be lost forever to future generations that follow. Most of the Overseas Chinese families have already lost a lot of genealogy values as is being that most of the immediate generatons before us were reluctant (many with valid personal reasons) to document or share what genealogical information they had. As the succeeding generations of Overseas Chinese become farther removed from their ancestral roots, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for most families to successfully track their genealogical lineage, related stories and artifacts. For us genealogical enthusiasts, this is a sad and heartbreaking dilemma to have "lost our way" in Gold Mountain. This is the very reason I am compelled to write something......it may not be a book, perhaps a manuscript will suffice. Thank you for your interest. Raymond

[helen]

Hi Raymond - you are correct that we have to gather as much information from our elders now, before we lose all contact. The Gwa Leng Wongs in New Zealand has just been printed, and will shortly be in the homes of the Wongs here. We have been extremely fortunate to have had a jiapu that was brought to N Z in the 1930s. It is the only one in existence. Our elders are in their late 80s and we have managed to get a lot of history from each of the villagers who came here.

siyigenealogy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=arts&action=display&thread=1163

[Ah Gin]

Raymond et al,

Your posting strikes a cord in me. I too am a Baby Boomer and agree with your points -- we still have an opportunity to hand down to our children records of the family. It's their heritage and we owe it to them to write it down. It is also for this reason that wherever possible we try to help others in this journey of search and record.

Key ABC members our clan association recognise this as well. In addition to activities organised by the association (e.g. celebration of festivals, Chinese New Year gatherings) we are now trying to reach out to the young ones through the net.

Regards, Ah Gin