Greetings
Aug 12, 2010 20:00:20 GMT -5
Post by chumley on Aug 12, 2010 20:00:20 GMT -5
I'm an American born Chinese with Sze Yup roots and joined this forum yesterday after lurking for about two years. I had stumbled upon this forum while researching my paternal grandfather's immigration to the U.S.
I didn't join earlier because I wasn't as knowledgeable, didn't have the research skills or map skills as the regular contributors. Besides, I had very little to add. However, reading the posts on this forum did inspire and motivate me during my genealogy research.
After seeing so many maps posted by Henry, it gave me an idea to find online maps on my ancestral roots. I have since found and printed copies of present day and historical (Republic of China era) maps.
I've been very fortunate to find out everything I wanted to know and more. I obtained copies of my paternal grandfather's Chinese Exclusion Act case files and ship manifest from the National Archives and Records Administration. I also have a copy of my grandfather's death certificate and U.S. Navy honorable discharge certificate.
Although I had all of these documents, I still needed to do more research to understand the reasons behind the case files. I read and analyzed each page of my grandfather's case files. Anything that I didn't understand, I did further online research.
As an example, I understand why my grandfather served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. The Selective Service Act of May 18, 1917 (enacted due to the U.S. entering WW1) enabled the government to draft men for military service. In addition, there were promises of citizenship for those who were ineligible (foreign born Chinese & Asians and Native American Indians (yes, they were ineligible at that time too despite being born here).
After World War I ended, foreign born Chinese & Asians and Native American Indians who served in combat for the U.S. military were recognized for their contributions and granted U.S. citizenship. I think my grandfather wasn't granted citizenship because he didn't serve overseas. Based on his enrollment date, he was probably in basic training when the war ended.
Another example from the case files was Sunning District. On my grandfather's 1922 interview (interrogation) for a U.S. passport, he said his family is from Gum Ping Village, Sunning District. I always thought my Moy family was from Toishan.
I researched Sunning District and found out the Republic of China (1912-1949) renamed Sunning District to Toishan District in 1914. My grandfather was already in the U.S. at the time of the name change.
Although I didn't request assistance from this forum during my genealogy research, I want to thank everyone for their time assisting others. It inspired and motivated me during my research and I'm now a member.
I didn't join earlier because I wasn't as knowledgeable, didn't have the research skills or map skills as the regular contributors. Besides, I had very little to add. However, reading the posts on this forum did inspire and motivate me during my genealogy research.
After seeing so many maps posted by Henry, it gave me an idea to find online maps on my ancestral roots. I have since found and printed copies of present day and historical (Republic of China era) maps.
I've been very fortunate to find out everything I wanted to know and more. I obtained copies of my paternal grandfather's Chinese Exclusion Act case files and ship manifest from the National Archives and Records Administration. I also have a copy of my grandfather's death certificate and U.S. Navy honorable discharge certificate.
Although I had all of these documents, I still needed to do more research to understand the reasons behind the case files. I read and analyzed each page of my grandfather's case files. Anything that I didn't understand, I did further online research.
As an example, I understand why my grandfather served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. The Selective Service Act of May 18, 1917 (enacted due to the U.S. entering WW1) enabled the government to draft men for military service. In addition, there were promises of citizenship for those who were ineligible (foreign born Chinese & Asians and Native American Indians (yes, they were ineligible at that time too despite being born here).
After World War I ended, foreign born Chinese & Asians and Native American Indians who served in combat for the U.S. military were recognized for their contributions and granted U.S. citizenship. I think my grandfather wasn't granted citizenship because he didn't serve overseas. Based on his enrollment date, he was probably in basic training when the war ended.
Another example from the case files was Sunning District. On my grandfather's 1922 interview (interrogation) for a U.S. passport, he said his family is from Gum Ping Village, Sunning District. I always thought my Moy family was from Toishan.
I researched Sunning District and found out the Republic of China (1912-1949) renamed Sunning District to Toishan District in 1914. My grandfather was already in the U.S. at the time of the name change.
Although I didn't request assistance from this forum during my genealogy research, I want to thank everyone for their time assisting others. It inspired and motivated me during my research and I'm now a member.