Shun Shui Village (顺水村) TaiShan near Tongji Bridge(通济桥)

[miloandme]

Hello

I am hoping to find my Grandmother and mothers house. They have both passed and I would like to see if the house remains or at least see where they lived.

The only information that I have is from a cousin is:


"......that village was Shun Shui Village (顺水村)，And when she was still a little girl, your grandmother took her shopping in Tishan City. They had to cross a bridge. The oldest bridge crossing Taishan River was Tongji Bridge(通济桥). Most villagers had migrated overseas, and the Village had been uninhabited for a long time, Few people knew about this village.  At that tine, most of the houses in the village already collapsed, Your grandmoth's house was still intact. Now all my remember is that the Village is about 7 km away from Tongji Bridge"

Can anyone help?

Thank you

[gckimm]

Hi:

Based on the description you provided, this may be the present location of the village:
廣東省江門市台山市台城鎮安步村委會順水村 (Shunshui Village, Anbu Village Committee, Taicheng Town, Taishan City, Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province)

Taicheng, the former county seat, may be the place referred to as "Taishan City." It is also the location of the Tongji Bridge, which was first built in 1885 but has since been rebuilt a couple of times. Here is a page about the bridge with pictures: www.toutiao.com/article/7026587379004031528/?wid=1712773313694. I also found this short video on Youtube: . The sign on the bridge says "Tongji Bridge."

To find your mother's house, you would have to travel to China or have someone travel to China on your behalf. If you can afford to hire My China Roots, they will do the research for you.

Greg

[jasonwu]

Hi Greg,

That's a cool article you've shared that explores the history of 通濟橋 Tongji Bridge, especially with the old images. 通濟橋 Tongji Bridge is found at the west end of Taishan City and is the closest bridge to 西寧市 Xining Shi (Sai Nen See), the western market outside the former city walls, which would've been the most bustling pedestrian area of commerce a hundred years ago (it still is). It is comprised of several streets of qilou, which are shophouses with covered porticoes, helpful in the tropical Southern Chinese climate. This district was recently renovated and remains one of Taishan City's most comprehensively-intact historical areas.

There are several villages by the name of 順水 Shun Shui within walking distance of Taishan City:

• 順水 Shun Shui in 群厚鄉 Qunhou (Kwan Hau) Township, a 葉 Yip village, ~8km north, thus no need to cross the river.
• 順水 Shun Shui in 安步鄉 Anbu (On Bo) Township, a 伍 Ng village, ~4km east, thus no need to cross the river.
• 順水 Shun Shui in 三社鄉 Sanshe (Sam Sher) Township, a 黃 Wong village, ~8km northwest, thus no need to cross the river.
• 順水 Shun Shui in 橫湖鄉 Henghu (Wang Woo) Township, a 劉 Lau village, ~5km south, would need to cross 南門橋 Nanmen Bridge (South Gate Bridge) aka 豐和橋 Fenghe Bridge, but could detour to 通濟橋 Tongji Bridge. (maps.app.goo.gl/KuYAcYThZ8Lqde727)
• 順水 Shun Shui in 冲雲鄉 Chongyun (Chung Wan) Township, a 鄺 Kwong/Fong village, ~9km west, would need to cross 通濟橋 Tongji Bridge. (maps.app.goo.gl/7f5xdGeR6roTPoSR6)

miloandme, based on the family name you are looking for and the locational breakdown above, you might be able to identify the 順水 Shun Shui that is your mother's village.

-Jason