When I reflect on this story about George Sing's ten year battle to bring his sons Gee and Get to Saskatchewan set against the backdrop of the Second Sino-Japanese War where twenty million Chinese died, I'm reminded of another sorry tale in Canadian immigration history. A high-level immigration official, when asked how many Jews should be admitted to Canada during the Second World War, said, “None is too many.” This xenophobic quote has been ascribed to Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King and Immigration Director Frederick Blair and is probably neither but shows the attitude at the highest levels of government. Canadian Immigration, helmed by Blair, was deaf to the pleas of Canadians desperate to shelter their relatives living under the threat of war and too many died as a result of his "careful control" of Canada's borders.
Category: Chinese Culture
It’s Chinese New Year – what is your sign?
I wrote this post in honour of Chinese New Year and the changing of the years from Tiger to Rabbit. In 2023, I feel we could all use some good fortune. And it doesn't matter if you believe or don't believe in astrology. What matters is if your ancestors believed. Chinese culture has long associations with ideas around luck and prophecy, governing every aspect of life from birth to death. I like to check the signs of the people I'm researching, to get a sense of what they might have thought. The next topic I'd like to tackle is the belief system that added a year to a newborn's age. What was that all about? Until next time!
The Chinese Canadian Museum (Victoria): a peek inside and a chat with Charlayne
In this post I explore the new Chinese Canadian Museum (Victoria) and hear a few stories from my host, Charlayne Thornton-Joe. Before my visit, I knew Charlayne slightly from the Facebook group Chinese Community of Victoria. Charlayne Thornton-Joe is a third-generation Victorian. Until recently, she served as a long-time city councillor, encouraged to run by… Continue reading The Chinese Canadian Museum (Victoria): a peek inside and a chat with Charlayne
Who are you Mrs. Cumyow? A case study resolving conflicts in primary sources
I share this with you as a peek behind the scenes at the detailed analysis that goes into building an accurate family lineage, especially for a married woman.
Fashioning the Decades: my interview with Violet Tang
In this gorgeous virtual exhibition, artist, creator, and curator Violet Tang created an online look at the twin topics of fashion and the Chinese diaspora. It's truly breathtaking what she's done, recreating the full museum experience online. I encourage you to visit as you would in real life: slowly, savouring each piece.
Asian History Month – What’s on?
May is Asian Heritage Month. There are events across Canada and the United States, virtually and in person. Here's a selection.
Wing Sang: a house of memory
The committee chose Wing Sang at 51 E Pender Street to be the new museum. This iconic building, the first of its kind in Chinatown, the mythical touchstone of dreams for so many immigrants, and my family's historic home, will now be the house of our collective memories.
Celebrating Chinese New Year with Po Po’s Famous Pork Belly, Potato and Taro Dish
Now we can order wo tao kow yuk any day of the week, but this New Year's dish made from a pig's belly was meant to be a once-a-year treat: the ultimate marriage of layers and layers of pig fat with two starches to soak up all the yummy goodness.
Connecting, capturing, conversing, creating, and learning: celebrating Asian History Month in genealogy
It's Asian History Month and Asian genealogy has never been hotter. In this post I celebrate connecting to elders, gathering stories, courses I've taken, and courses that are coming.
Research like a Pro: Chinese genealogy
My podcast interview on Research Like a Pro, with hosts Nicole Dyer and Diana Elder, released March 1, 2021.