Wongs from Bak Shek (Baishi) Jungseng (Zengcheng)
Feb 6, 2009 1:30:56 GMT -5
Post by kate on Feb 6, 2009 1:30:56 GMT -5
Hi all,
I know that there have been some other discussions on the forum about various Wongs from Bakshek in Jungseng (Baishi in Zengcheng), with some NZ folk who've done research into their families.
I have been doing some research into an Australian-based branch of the Wong family from Bakshek, but have hit a bit of a dead end. Henry Chan thought several years ago that there might have been a connection to New Zealand, but it was never made for sure. I am wanting to include this family's story in a book I am writing about Chinese Australians' ongoing connections to China.
I am wondering therefore if anyone might have a connection to the Wong family that I've been researching.
They lived in Melbourne in the late 19th century, and then 2 Australian-born children returned to China in about 1906. Their father died in Australia. They lived with their father's first wife in Bakshek from 1906 until at least 1913. I am trying to track what might have happened to these children, ie whether they remained in China, returned to Australia, or possibly went to NZ. Their Australian mother made attempts to have them repatriated to Australia.
In Australia, the family went by the surname Wer Lee or Wir Lee.
Details of the family:
Father: Wong Yung Leung
Chinese wife: Lau Ching
Australian wife and children's biological mother: Beatrice Wer Lee (nee Nicholson, later Denham)
Son: Wong Fung Chai
Daughter: Wong Fung Lan
Brother of Wong Yung Leung (but different mothers): Wong Sai Hing
Wong Sai Hing ran a timber shop (On Lee) in Bakshek (c1913).
Brother of Wong Yung Leung: Wong Loi To
Wong Loi To ran a general store in Melbourne (c1913).
If you would like to see the characters for their names, go to:
www.aa.gov.au/cgi-bin/Search?O=I&Number=28176
then click on 'View digital copy' and look at pages 38, 37, 36.
I have written something about this family in '"I am nearly heartbroken about him": Stories of Australian mothers' separation from their 'Chinese' children', published in History Australia, vol. 1, no. 1, 2003.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who might have information about this family. Either reply to the list or to me directly at kate.bagnall[at]gmail.com.
Thanks,
Kate Bagnall
Canberra, ACT
I know that there have been some other discussions on the forum about various Wongs from Bakshek in Jungseng (Baishi in Zengcheng), with some NZ folk who've done research into their families.
I have been doing some research into an Australian-based branch of the Wong family from Bakshek, but have hit a bit of a dead end. Henry Chan thought several years ago that there might have been a connection to New Zealand, but it was never made for sure. I am wanting to include this family's story in a book I am writing about Chinese Australians' ongoing connections to China.
I am wondering therefore if anyone might have a connection to the Wong family that I've been researching.
They lived in Melbourne in the late 19th century, and then 2 Australian-born children returned to China in about 1906. Their father died in Australia. They lived with their father's first wife in Bakshek from 1906 until at least 1913. I am trying to track what might have happened to these children, ie whether they remained in China, returned to Australia, or possibly went to NZ. Their Australian mother made attempts to have them repatriated to Australia.
In Australia, the family went by the surname Wer Lee or Wir Lee.
Details of the family:
Father: Wong Yung Leung
Chinese wife: Lau Ching
Australian wife and children's biological mother: Beatrice Wer Lee (nee Nicholson, later Denham)
Son: Wong Fung Chai
Daughter: Wong Fung Lan
Brother of Wong Yung Leung (but different mothers): Wong Sai Hing
Wong Sai Hing ran a timber shop (On Lee) in Bakshek (c1913).
Brother of Wong Yung Leung: Wong Loi To
Wong Loi To ran a general store in Melbourne (c1913).
If you would like to see the characters for their names, go to:
www.aa.gov.au/cgi-bin/Search?O=I&Number=28176
then click on 'View digital copy' and look at pages 38, 37, 36.
I have written something about this family in '"I am nearly heartbroken about him": Stories of Australian mothers' separation from their 'Chinese' children', published in History Australia, vol. 1, no. 1, 2003.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who might have information about this family. Either reply to the list or to me directly at kate.bagnall[at]gmail.com.
Thanks,
Kate Bagnall
Canberra, ACT