Wong Kee Chong

[harc3]

Hi everyone, we have just discovered the name of my husbands grandfather....we think!! He signed his son's birth registration as
Chong Kee, the only death record we can find that would be the right year, place etc is for Wong Kee Chong. My husband is driving to where we think he is buried this weekend but we are pretty sure his headstone is in Chinese. I know there is probably a lot of different ways to write his name but if anyone can give us an idea if there might be something we should look for I'd be most greatful! Also, a long shot I know, but does anyone know anything about Chong Kee in Vernon BC. We found a picture of what we think was his grocery store there!( circa 1910)
Thanks everyone!!

[Woodson]

According to this site:

www.vdfhs.com/Vernon%20City%20Directories.htm

the name Chong Kee first appeared in 1910 with the word groceries after it. Then in the 1909 listing it changed to:

Chong --- --- nighthingychman, Dominion Canners Ltd.

You can post the photo here directly or I can do it for you. Some of our member will be able to translate it for you.

Good luck!

[harc3]

Thanks Woodson! we have actually seen that site which made us check the Vernon museum archives. They have a photo of part of Chinatown which clearly shows the store name 'Chong Kee'...so no translation needed thanks......we will probably be posting pics of headstones to get translated in the near future though!! We are certain they will be in Chinese.
We've contacted the Vernon museum to see if they have any more info in their archives about the store. My father-in-laws birth certificate lists his father as 'Chong Kee', storekeeper, Vernon. So we're fairly sure it was his store.
Thanks again!

[Henry]

I know you are aware of the excellent Chinese genealogy resources of the Vancouver Public Library - are you also aware of the Historical Chinese Language Materials In British Columbia: An electronic inventory:

"....to develop the Web page which comprises a database of records of archival materials, virtual exhibition of photo collections, images, links to related materials and listings of organizations. We offer a comprehensive inventory of the materials, searchable on the Web by keywords in Chinese, English and Pinyin and advice on options for preservation so that information is not lost with the memory of those involved or decay of materials.

Since the inception of the project in 2000, we have documented over 13,000 records and uploaded more than 500 images of archival materials contributed by 17 resource centres, 9 pioneer families and numerous individuals. With these achievements, known sources that are interested in participation were all covered and the core collection of the database completed. The focus is now on digitisation of major collections by stages. "

www.sfu.ca/davidlamcentre/hclmbc/

PS - don't forget the digital camera to take photos of gravestones - if you are doing more than one gravestone - mark on a map of the cemetery the locations of these gravestones with associated names - in all the excitement , you may forget and when you get home trying to organize photos of gravestones with Chinese characters could be challenging :-)

[harc3]

Thanks for the info Henry, we hadn't seen that site yet, some great info there!