Canadian Genealogy · Canadian laws · Chinese Culture · Chinese Genealogy · Family history stories · Stories of WWII

The startling details of a Chinese Case File, pt. 2 – What happened to George’s sons?

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.

Chinese Culture · Photo and film scanning · Photo History · Stories of WWII

Force 136 like you’ve never seen them – in living colour

I'm super excited to share today's post with you. Last week, I told you there would be a big surprise. HERE IT IS. Val Erde chose this photo to bring to life. Her research, talent and artistry literally brought tears to my eyes. It felt like the next best thing to actually being there behind… Continue reading Force 136 like you’ve never seen them – in living colour

Chinese Culture · Family history stories · Photo History · Stories of WWII

Force 136 goes to London and takes some holiday snaps – a pictorial story of WWII

In March, 1945, a group of Chinese men travelled to London, England. It was the penultimate stop on their way to Poona, India. They had enlisted in the top-secret South East Asia Command (SEAC), known in India as "Force 136," and had completed basic training at Shilo, Manitoba. From Manitoba they boarded trains for the eastern… Continue reading Force 136 goes to London and takes some holiday snaps – a pictorial story of WWII