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Post by helen on Dec 18, 2010 20:03:21 GMT -5
www.westmanchinese.com/monument/proposed monument will be a bronze Chinese coin - five-feet in diameter. Many parallels exist in the history of injustice in the U. S. and Canada toward Chinese immigrants in the late 19th well into mid 20th century. One difference is that Canada first imposed heavy HEAD TAXES (before resorting to actual exclusion). In the past decade, Chinese Canadians have sought some measure of redress from the Canadian government and worked to honor the memory of the pioneering Chinese who suffered
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Post by kcchung on Mar 24, 2017 14:40:45 GMT -5
Helen - thank you for posting this. I found the link quite interesting. Boggles my mind how these poor farmers could pay this high head tax.
My husband's family immigrated during this time and settled initially Ontario, Canada. I can't imagine they had $500/head to pay this tax. Begs the question, were they sponsored by someone else or group who paid the head tax for them.
I've been told that my husband's GGrandfather made numerous trips back and forth from Canada to China. Would he have had to pay this tax EACH time he entered? If so, that brings to question if the oral history is accurate, as I can not see him being able to assume that cost for each trip.
I've been told that he and my husband's grandfather had Canadian papers. I don't know what that means or if it is the equivalent to Permenant residency in the US. If they had these papers, would that make them exempt from paying a head tax for each entry? Ahh so many questions!
Thank you for your post of the monument - it shed a little more light on this timeframe I am trying to disect as it relates to my husband's family.
Ginny
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Post by douglaslam on Mar 25, 2017 20:31:44 GMT -5
Hi all, this is the reverse side of my grandfather's Canadian Head Tax Certificate. The HTC was a quasi travel document for those who returned home for a visit. If the person stayed for more than two years, then the Head Tax would be applicable again. My grandfather was fortunate to have been able to make several trips home. On each trip he would stay as long as he was allowed to without jeopardising his right of re-entry and incurring another payment of Head Tax.
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Post by kcchung on Mar 25, 2017 20:56:45 GMT -5
Douglaslam
Thank you - that answered one of my questions about being forced to pay the tax for each trip. That is so cool you have that document.
Ginny
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Post by douglaslam on Mar 26, 2017 5:56:13 GMT -5
Yes Ginny,the HTC is one of my prized possessions. It is in very good condition. I am just a custodian. One day, I'll pass it on to a worthy recipient for safekeeping or a museum of my choice. Douglas
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Post by 1matthew on Jul 22, 2019 15:48:06 GMT -5
We are wondering if Chinese head tax was paid and an English name given to our Chinese father in St Johns Newfoundland Labrador of Arthur Gay or Gaye approximation 1922 at age 25 how to match. To the unknown Chinese Name, we have narrowed from KAIPING and his village. We think this Chinese document is him Aue Hang Yen Age 15 Date of arrival October 26,1922 Place of Birth Hi Ping - spelling wrong we have mapped village Ship Kyle Certificate number 123 From Newfoundland Register of Arrio Volume 1071 Reel T-3487
Now if we could only connect that this pet was given Name Artur Gay or Gaye later used
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Post by 1matthew on Jul 22, 2019 15:49:36 GMT -5
Age 25 we suspect not 25, His birthplace Chishui, Kaiping
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Post by 1matthew on Jul 22, 2019 15:51:05 GMT -5
Arthur Gay or Gaye born approximately 1905
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Post by 1matthew on Jul 22, 2019 15:53:02 GMT -5
Age 15 we suspect at time of arrival sorry for errors. We want to travel there found the bill by other means and lettyjust need to match records
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