Thanks to Fay Chee and DJ for clearing up any misunderstanding I may have in regard to Joe Shoong's children. I think the woman I met and people in China in general simply had no way or not old enough to know much about the man. I remember reading Doris went to China before WWll to learn Chinese.
DJ; 東玖, the father is having his major birthday celebrations sometimes this month. If any of his grandchildren in contact with you by email, don't forget to pass on your birthday wishes. Depending on the generation, he is a brother or uncle to you. Calling him mister is too formal and not "family" like. I have the son 林燦's mobile number, if you want it I can pass on to you. Tomorrow, I'll get on to your story.
Today, I am putting on Lolly's story for all to share.
I thought Lolly's ancestral village was small in population. Not so, it is home to about four thousand people, that does not include the large number of internal migrants, who outnumber the locals. On our first walk to the village, we did not go pass the distinctive gateway. It was on the second visit, after our lunch that we went pass the gateway on a bus. It was too late. I was keen to walk to link up with a direct bus, but one of my companions was not into landmarks, antiquities or walking when he could get free travel as a senior.
This is my selection of photos over the two visits.
This is a kindergarten, very nicely painted on the outside with the two characters 聖獅 in traditional form clearly visible. Lolly should know it by now. 聖獅 Sing Sze, Holy Lion is so-called because of a certain landmark which resembles a lion with its head up and resting on the ground. I think childcare facilities in China are quite good. I have not heard of anyone telling me how hard or costly it is to have pre-school or junior primary kids looked after for working parents.
This is the village administration office we were welcomed in. These days, every large village would have one. There is no village hall where the elders gather to go to in Sing Sze. It was completely destroyed by the Red Guards under Mao. Many village halls managed to survive Mao's mad attack by being put to use as grain storage, animal shelter, office or workshop.
Many of the elderly people do come here, it is an activity centre for the old age. The people mostly play mahjong or talk. We would have come here for help if we weren't referred to the very capable village official.
This river front promenade is opposite the office and next to the activity centre. It would be very popular in the warmer months. The river would be polluted without question.But it does not look beyond help. Like most waterways, it falls silent to boat traffic. I can only imagine what it must once have been, a lifeline of the villages for transport, irrigation, and drinking water. I think there was once a rice mill close by taking advantage of the waterways.
The village official showed me an artist's impression of a soon-to-be-built village hall in traditional architecture. It is going to be a multi-purpose hall catering for modern needs like a library, and use by other clans and residents. The funding drive received a big boost from a villager who has business interests in Macau.
Lolly, this is the couple most closely related to Andrew Sr. in the village. The man is Chuck Fay's uncle's great-great grandson. They showed genuine interest in discovering their Australian links. Nothing much is known about Andrew Sr.'s brothers. I believe more can be done.
A family gathering on the occasion of a wedding. Just image trying to remember all their names.
This is the couple's large home, which is on a corner position. The couplet tells us there was a wedding and a daughter-in-law welcomed into the family. Most married couples still live in with their parents or in-laws. It is a tradition changed little with the march of time.
A large outdoor area for entertainment and storage. The family represents China rising middle class. It is doing very well, the couple's children are all tertiary educated and holding well-paid jobs.
This house is standing on land where Andrew's house had once stood. The building was completely destroyed in a typhoon.
I think this was once the couple's home, which is now a rental property or left unoccupied.
This building is over a century old, and belongs to the family. Not sure if Andrew had seen it. It was a shop, yes, a lolly shop, which was made on the premisis.
This is the rotting interior.
This is a street shrine. You'll find many of them through the villages. Remember I said your father might have gone through the ritual of having a lantern lit and hung in the village hall. Sometimes, street shrine like this is used for such a purpose if a suitable hall is not available.
We are enjoying our lunch. Only the wife came.. It was the coldest day of my visit, The outdoor by the river bank setting was a little inappropriate. We are well protected from the strong breeze. There is a pot of goat meat, and more to come.
This is a proud Pang ancestor who was a high imperial court official. Pang is a popular name found throughout China, though not as numerous as the Chan, Wong, or Lee.
The most noteworthy Pang of recent years is Peng Dehuai. Peng was a senior of China's Ten Marshals. He was fearless,honest and trustworthy. He dared to tell Mao he was leading the country to destruction during the Great Leap Forward famine.. He also led China's forces in the Korean War, much against his better judgement not to take on the USA, because an impoverished China was in no position to wage a war for someone else. Mao's own son was amongst Peng's staff. But he defied Peng's order to evacuate and was killed. Mao junior was killed while trying to retrieve some food, not died in battle.
Mao never forgave Peng for the two incidents. It was one of the reasons Mao started the Cultural Revolution, so that he could purge his critics. Peng Dehuai died a long, painful and humiliating death under Mao.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peng_Dehuai
