Looking for Tang's family in Nam Hoi, Guangdong

[winniwong]

Posted on: Sat 07 Feb 2004 03:12:57 AM EST

My maternal grandfather, Tang Poh Yan came from Nam Hoi, Tung Sang Hong or also known as "Sang Kai" to Malaysia between 1920's to 1930's before the 2nd World War. He had made the trip through many places ie Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand etc until he finally settled down in Penang. Actually , as the 'only son' in the family, he came to Malaysia searching for his long-lost younger brother who was kidnapped from his village. Now, I am hoping that I could contact someone from Nam Hoi who knows about this place or village because I wish that I could visit my grandfather's ancestral place some day and also maybe to fulfill his last wish; to bring his ashes back to Nam Hoi after 50 years!!!

[Wunbu]

Posted on: Mon 09 Feb 2004 11:18:30 PM EST

I'm afraid you'll need to have the names in Chinese writing. As good place for such information is tombstones. It is a Chinese custom to have the place of origin (village and county) and date of death on the tombstone. Chances are good that this information is available on your grandfather's tombstone. If you have trouble with the Chinese you can post it here or email the jpg file to me.

[Raymond]

Winni Wong,

Your maternal grandfather could be from one of two areas in Guangdong Province. First, there is a Namhoi (aka Nanhai) District which is one of the Sam Yup Districts located nearby Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. Secondly, Nam Hoi is a precinct named "Kee #7" in Zhongshan District under the Nationalist government (1911-1949). (Dr. Sun Yat-sen is a native son of Zhongshan which was named in his honor.) Prior to that time, Nam Hoi was called "Nam Hoi Doo" with "doo" meaning a sub-district. Kee #7 or Nam Hoi Doo comprise the southern outlying islands of Zhongshan District. Nam Hoi Doo has about 30 villages. It would be helpful if you know the name of the village. My guess is that your maternal grandfather is from the Nam Hoi Doo in Zhongshan District, and I'm basing that on the words "Tung Sang Hong" you provided which sounds similarly to the Cantonese pronunciation of the Zhongshan District, "joong sahn" and formerly spelled "Chungshan". Perhaps someone out there may come up with the name of village(s) in Nam Hoi Doo which has Tang as a dominant family name. Otherwise, you may just have to make a trip to Nam Hoi Doo in search of the right village.

Hope this information leads you to the correct ancestral homeland of your maternal grandfather.

Raymond