Our roots is alot to do with our spoken tongue (language) I grew up like most Gee's displaced from chinese language in Darwin where speaking and learning aboriginal swear words were more likely.
However I was proud of the words I did know:
Jo Sun - Good Morning
Joi Gin - Goodbye
Yat, Yee, San - 1,2,3 etc
Cha Sui Bao - and many other food words
Pong, Che - all words from Mah Jong and learning by watching mum and others play for hours at at time.
Saying 'Ngoh m sik gong' 'sik tang' - I can't speak but can understand seemed to make the aunties and older folk who spoke no english happy.
My limited chinese language skills was never a problem until I went to school in Sydney when I encountered ' racism' and being called a 'chink' for the first time. Even at University I sat at the back of the class with my other aussie friends, lebs, greeks etc and remarked on how the chinese were always in the front of the class.
I read with interest the article from Barbara Fong about our roots from China that the Gee Clan came from Taishan. Then I was instantly curious how does the fact that the Gee's spoke a 'bastardised' version of Sze Yap Dialect correlate with Taishan.
As I can speak really bad cantonese myself but learnt Hong Kong Cantonese after I got married then lived in Shanghai and HK so learnt Mandarin later in life I had real trouble understanding David Gee Senior when he broke into his 'Darwin Sze Yap'.
There is a small article below on where the Sze Yap people come from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sze_Yap
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Lena's Photo of the Week...
"This is a snap of Ernest, David & Maurice, taken on 30/8/1936.
Maurice was 6 months old then. Love Lena" (as written on back of photo)
Lena's Photo of the Week
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Fong How (Fong Sui Wing) - CEDT(1919/50)
On the NAA website there is a record on Fong How (ie. Fong Sui Wing as he was known in Australia... on official papers anyway it seems). The following is the key information i've gathered from it (If you find any other interesting fact i've missed then please let me know).
The most interesting thing i find is that he actually died in China about 3x months after leaving Australia.
Certificate of Exemption from Dictation Test - Fong How [#1919/50]
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=1592980&I=1&SE=1
Applied to visit China for 36 months on the 29 Sep 1919 [CEDT #252/03]
Aged 59 at the time of departure. Birthplace Canton 1860
Scar near mouth on right side & scare below left ear.
Departed 15/11/1919 on the Ship SS Victoria. Died in China on about the 12 Feb 1920.
His Thumbprint was described as being from 'well known Chinese Merchant'.
Came to Australia in 1882. Lived in Darwin for 26 years.
Was absent from Australia 7 times in that period.
1885 - 1893 (7 years)
Nov 1904 - May 1905 (.5 year)
Aug 1910 - Oct 1911 (1 year)
Sep 1907 - Jun 1908 (1 year)
Aug 1917 - Aug 1919 (2 years)
Occupation at was Merchant.
The most interesting thing i find is that he actually died in China about 3x months after leaving Australia.
Certificate of Exemption from Dictation Test - Fong How [#1919/50]
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=1592980&I=1&SE=1
Applied to visit China for 36 months on the 29 Sep 1919 [CEDT #252/03]
Aged 59 at the time of departure. Birthplace Canton 1860
Scar near mouth on right side & scare below left ear.
Departed 15/11/1919 on the Ship SS Victoria. Died in China on about the 12 Feb 1920.
His Thumbprint was described as being from 'well known Chinese Merchant'.
Came to Australia in 1882. Lived in Darwin for 26 years.
Was absent from Australia 7 times in that period.
1885 - 1893 (7 years)
Nov 1904 - May 1905 (.5 year)
Aug 1910 - Oct 1911 (1 year)
Sep 1907 - Jun 1908 (1 year)
Aug 1917 - Aug 1919 (2 years)
Occupation at was Merchant.
Fong Sui Wing (& Family) - On CHIA website
Fong How and his family members are mentioned on the Chinese-Australian Historical Images in Australia (CHIA) Website. http://www.chia.chinesemuseum.com.au/biogs/CH00950b.htm
It's more from Rev Shui Kwong Lo's unpublished manuscript 'From my Darwin notebook' that Jason posted about previously (from information from Barbara Fong).
Photo of Vice regal visit to the Northern Territory about 1905 Gathering at Residence of Chinese merchants. The importance of Chinese businessmen and merchants was illustrated when the town's notables met visiting dignitaries. This was the case in 1905 when South Australia's governor, Sir George Le Hunte, visited Palmerston.
Back row L-R: Lloyd Herbert, Mrs Herbert, Sir George Le Hunt, Aide de Camp, Lady Le Hunt, Mr Justice Herbert.
Middle row L-R: CHIN MEE LEUNG of Wing Cheong Sing, CHIN PAT MOW of Yam Yan, ? (obscured), FING HOW of Wing Wah Loong.
Front row L-R: CHIN KIM KEE of Chin Leong Hen, CHARLIE YEE of Kwong Lee Cheong, BANG BEN of Cheong Woo, YUEN YET HING of Yet Loong, CHIN TOY of Fang Cheong Loong. Location: Esplanade Palmerston Port Darwin - Year 1905'
------------------------------------------------------- According to Rev Shui Kwong Lo's unpublished manuscript 'From my Darwin notebook' written 1941-1989 Fong Sew Hau (also called Fong Sui Wing and Fong How) arrived in Palmerston in 1885 from Bamboo Gully, Ling-Boi, Toi-shan [Taishan] district in Kwang Tung [Guangdong] province.
Soon after arriving he established a business in Darwin called Wing Wah Loong that operated till at least until c1910. According to Stone and Steele he also established three other businesses - Wing Chong Loong in Pine Creek, Win Chong Kee in Katherine and a business in Mataranka.
He had twelve children. Rev Lo lists the names of five sons and two daughters.
Sons (eldest to youngest): Fong-Kang-Tong, Albert Fong-Kang-Yuen [also called Albert Fong], Charlie Fong-Kang-Man [also called Fong Gang Ming, Charles Gang Ming Fong or Charlie Fong], Eddy Fong-Kang-Hung [also called Eddy Fong] and Fong-Kang-Sam).
Daughters: Fong-Chui-Kam (also called Fong Choi-Kam who became Mrs Chee-Hung-Yat) and Fong-Chee-Seen (who became Mrs Lee Forday). In 1892 he adopted two girls from Toishan and brought them out to Australia. One of these girls was Mrs Lum Loy, also known as Granny Lum Loy, Nu Moo or Lu Moo.
It's more from Rev Shui Kwong Lo's unpublished manuscript 'From my Darwin notebook' that Jason posted about previously (from information from Barbara Fong).
Photo of Vice regal visit to the Northern Territory about 1905 Gathering at Residence of Chinese merchants. The importance of Chinese businessmen and merchants was illustrated when the town's notables met visiting dignitaries. This was the case in 1905 when South Australia's governor, Sir George Le Hunte, visited Palmerston.Back row L-R: Lloyd Herbert, Mrs Herbert, Sir George Le Hunt, Aide de Camp, Lady Le Hunt, Mr Justice Herbert.
Middle row L-R: CHIN MEE LEUNG of Wing Cheong Sing, CHIN PAT MOW of Yam Yan, ? (obscured), FING HOW of Wing Wah Loong.
Front row L-R: CHIN KIM KEE of Chin Leong Hen, CHARLIE YEE of Kwong Lee Cheong, BANG BEN of Cheong Woo, YUEN YET HING of Yet Loong, CHIN TOY of Fang Cheong Loong. Location: Esplanade Palmerston Port Darwin - Year 1905'
Soon after arriving he established a business in Darwin called Wing Wah Loong that operated till at least until c1910. According to Stone and Steele he also established three other businesses - Wing Chong Loong in Pine Creek, Win Chong Kee in Katherine and a business in Mataranka.
He had twelve children. Rev Lo lists the names of five sons and two daughters.
Sons (eldest to youngest): Fong-Kang-Tong, Albert Fong-Kang-Yuen [also called Albert Fong], Charlie Fong-Kang-Man [also called Fong Gang Ming, Charles Gang Ming Fong or Charlie Fong], Eddy Fong-Kang-Hung [also called Eddy Fong] and Fong-Kang-Sam).
Daughters: Fong-Chui-Kam (also called Fong Choi-Kam who became Mrs Chee-Hung-Yat) and Fong-Chee-Seen (who became Mrs Lee Forday). In 1892 he adopted two girls from Toishan and brought them out to Australia. One of these girls was Mrs Lum Loy, also known as Granny Lum Loy, Nu Moo or Lu Moo.
Fong Sui Wing (Fong How) [a Profile]
Fong Sui Wing
Fong Sui Wing is the son of Fong Yam Ken (Yam Ging).
He was born in Canton in 1860 and Died around 12 Feb 1920 in China.
Naming info: He was also known as Fong Sui Wing, Fong Sew Hau, Fong How (Fong How is was the name he was given and known by in Australia when he first arrived, So is what you he is most likely to be found under when searching Australian records), Wing Wah Loong (was the name of one of his stores, his main store i believe, but he as a person was also known by this name).
According to Rev Shui Kwong Lo's unpublished manuscript 'From my Darwin notebook' written 1941-1989 Fong Sew Hau (also called Fong Sui Wing and Fong How) arrived in Palmerston in 1885 from Bamboo Gully, Ling-Boi, Toi-shan [Taishan] district in Kwang Tung [Guangdong] province. [1]
Soon after arriving he established a business in Darwin called Wing Wah Loong that operated till at least until c1910. According to Stone and Steele he also established three other businesses - Wing Chong Loong in Pine Creek, Win Chong Kee in Katherine and a business in Mataranka. [1]
Family Details: He had 3 wives and a total of 22 children.
First Wife: was Wong See. They had 8 children
Second Wife: was Young See. They had 14 Children (two of which were adopted).
Third Wife: name unknown?. They had no children
-------------------------------
The above is from Barbara Fong's research and Rev Shui Kwong Lo's unpublished manuscript 'From my Darwin notebook'.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Australian Newspapers Online Resource
WOW!Last night i found a whole lot of amazing information on the Gee, Chee & Fong family on the National Library of Australia's 'Australian Newspapers' Website (Its an online database of Historic Australian Newspapers, 1803 to 1954).
Go there now!... http://ndpbeta.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/home
Well worth poking around... It seems to yields results on broad searches (Gee, Chee, Fong), but putting specific names helps narrow results.
The picture is an Advertisement (c1925) of Gee Hong Yet's fathers store (It seems Chee Poon was spelt Chee Pon... and his other names are Chee Kee Kan and/or Gee Kee Gan... which is info found on that site!). That tailors eventually become Gee Hong Yet's (... again new info found on that site!). .
Here's some more juicy tidbits on there...
- Li Kim (Gee Yet) is mentioned in an article because she introduced Pneumonic Influenza to the town!
- Gee Hong Yet's brother, Gee Kwong Yet, was arrested for having 100x illegal birds (finches!?)!.
- There's lots of probable/possible stuff on Fong How's other moniker, Wah Wing Loong, which was the name of his store. But i have some confusion on that.
Check it out!!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Lena's photo of the Week - Hong Yet / Li Kim Family Portrait
Hi All!
Donna Gee here.
Welcome to my contribution to this blog which i'm going to call... Lena's Photo of the Week!... This is where i'll share Lena's Photo collection, that i inherited, with you all.
Please comment with any info you have on the photo's posted as i don't really know much about them myself (except for the odd photo with lena's scribbles on the back... which were done when her memory was not the greatest.).
There are lots of great photos for you to enjoy so check back often.
First photo is a Family portrait which seems to have all members in it except for Virginia and William
Hong Yet / Li Kim Family Portrait
From our guess work pictured (left to right) is :
Back row : David, Ernest, Edwina
Front row : Glenda, Lena, Hong Yet (Fred), Li Kim, Doris, Maurice
Gee Hong Yet / Fong Li Kim Ancestor Chart
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Gee Hong Yet (Chee Ah Yet, Fred Gee)
Gee Hong Yet.
Originally named Chee Ah Yet (as on his Birth Certificate) but in Australia goes by the Chinese name of Gee Hong Yet (not sure why this is?). His Western name is Fred Gee. Other variations of his name are Chee Hong Yat & Hung Yet.
He was born in China on the 2 Jan 1894 and Died on 8 Oct 1975 in Darwin (?).
Family Details:
He had 3 wives.
The first wife was Fong Li Kim (Gee Yet).
They had 9 children.
1. William GEE. Born 1913.
2. Lena GEE. Born 25 May 1915. She died on 04 Jul 1996.
3. Ernest GEE. Born 1922. He died on 13 Dec 1961.
4. David GEE. Born 1925.
5. Doris Gee. Born 23 Sep 1928.
6. Maurice Gee. Born 1936
7. Edwina GEE (Winky).Born in ?
8. Glenda GEE. Born in ?
9. Virginia Gee. Born in ?
The second wife came from China (and may have ran away). [1]
The 3rd came from China but left he went blind. [2]
About:
Pop was a insulin dependent 'diabetic' and turned blind later in life. Pop also had bad execema. I remember him walking with a dark coloured cane. He was a man of few words and lived at Gee's Food Center. [1]
[1] Davids Recollections, [2] May/Sean's Recollections
[1] Davids Recollections, [2] May/Sean's Recollections
The following is gathered from:
Certificate of Exemption from Dictation Test - Gee Hong Yet (#1592195)
Character reference states: Birth certificate in name Ah Yet, Born 2/1/1894. Gee Hong Yet states he returned from China in 1911 under the name of Chee Ah Yet : this name appears on the passenger list of the 'Changsha" 9/3/1911
Applied to travel to China for 36 months on the 18 Dec 1916.
Aged 22 at time of departure. Birthplace Boonleera NT (or is it Roombera?)
Scar at base of each thumb, scar on each cheek near ear, scar back of head.
Departed 24/2/1916 to China, Returned 4 March 1918
Lived in Australia: Boonleera 2 years, Darwin 10.5 years, Wynhdam 0.5 years
Was absent from Australia: once 1901-1911 (10 years)
Occupation at time was Tailor. Previously 'Waiter Boy'.
Other forms on NAA site on Gee Hong Yet (sadly not available on-line)
Determination of Darwin Town Area Lease 883 - Northern Territory [17 pages]
(Location: Canberra, Date Range:1956-1957, #3439999)
Application for freehold
(Location: Canberra, Date Range:1931-1933, #1824534)
(Location: Canberra, Date Range:1931-1933, #1824534)
and the most intriguing document....
Possible Avenue for Smuggling Between Darwin and Wyndham - Store of Gee Hong Yet [Customs]
(Location: Perth, Date Range:1953-1956, #1533688 )
(Location: Perth, Date Range:1953-1956, #1533688 )
Hehe... was pops dodgy?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Gee Sik Tung (Ernest?)
Introducing Gee Sik Tung... who from his birth date i assume is Ernest Gee? (birth date listed as 1 Apr 1921, though i have Ernest as being born 1921?!?).
Gee Sik Tung, son of Gee Hong Yet (Fred) and Fong Li Kim (Gee Yet). Also known as Gee Sick Tung.
The following is gathered from: [Certificate of Exemption from Dictation Test - Gee Sick Tung] [son of Gee Hong Yet and Gee Yet formerly Li Kim (#1595849) http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=1595849&I=1&SE=1
Gee Sik Tung - Born in Darwin 1 Apr 1921. 7 years of age at time of travel. His first overseas trip travelling to China for education. Had a Scar on left temple.
Application to visit Hong Kong, China for 60 months. Made 21 Aug 1928 (book447/9)
Departed 24 Aug 1928. Returned 3 Feb 1930
Gee Hong Yet, father, listed as Storekeeper.
Declaration made by a Felix Spain. of Darwin, Hairdresser. Declaration states "That i am in the habit of seeing the said Gee Sick Tung every day playing about the streets with other children" and "That the parents of Gee Sick Tung reside opposite my place of business in Cavanagh Street, Darwin".
Monday, November 17, 2008
GEE Hong Yet (Fred) & FONG Li Kim (Yet Gee)
Gee Hong Yet (Fred) is the son of Chee Poon. He was born 1895. He died on 08 Oct 1975. He was also known as Ah Yet Chee, Fred, Chee Hong Yat, Hung Yet.
Fong Li Kim (Yet Gee), his first wife, is the daughter of Fong How (Fong Sui Wing) and Fong Young Shee (?). She was born 1899 in Darwin. She died on 03 Mar 1961 in Perth. She was also known as Yet Gee, Lai Kim, Oi Jan.
They had 9 children.
1. William GEE. Born 1913.
2. Lena Maureen GEE. (Choy Fung Gee) Born Darwin 25 June 1915. She died on 04 Jul 1996.
3. Ernest GEE. Born 1922. He died on 13 Dec 1961.
4. David Robert GEE. Born 1925.
5. Doris Gee. Born 23 Sep 1928.
6. Maurice Frederick Gee. Born 1936
7. Edwina GEE (Winky).
8. Glenda GEE.
9. Virginia Gee
Related Links.
From the NAA website:
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=1592942&I=1&SE=1
Certificate of Exemption from Dictation Test - Gee Yet (#1592191)
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=1592191&I=1&SE=1
Certificate of Exemption from Dictation Test - Gee Yet] [ nee Li Kim or Lee Kim or Fong Lai Kim (1595924)
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=1595924&I=1&SE=1
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Fong side of the family
Hi All,
It's Jason Gee here... My mother (Cecilia) was recently visiting in Darwin and made some contact with the Fong side of the family. A subsequent email followed which I have posted below.
I think this project needs to cover the matriarchal side of our family as well?
----------------------------------
From: barbara.fong@
To: ccha3534@
Subject: hullo Cecelia
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:44:27 +1000
Tim has sent me your email message to find all about Gee Hong Yet aka Chee Hong Yat
His father was Chee Poon according to history from Rev Lo Shui Kwong who was Chinese minister in Darwin after the war 1946 and died in Darwin
Rev Lo had written records of Darwin families history in an autobiography left with DArwin's State Archives and Aust archives in Darwin so you can read all about it in his biography history.He did write about Gee Hong Yet and his other son Gee Kwong Yet and Chee Poon comes from Taishan where most of the early Chinese migrants come from but I have no idea where about the village is but I believe the family home in Taishan is all locked up since the parents passed away many many years ago and the 2 sons Hung Yet and Kwong Yet were living in Darwin-I wonder if they were born in Taishan or in Broome where their father 1st migrated to.
I have visit Taishan in 2000 and find it a big country where many Chinese lived early 1880's so the family homes are now ghost homes -all locked up never to see family return to visit but someday some of the Gee's may want to tour Taishan one day-one needs to have a Chinese interpreter living here in Aust and that would be Chin Kwong who is now in charge of the Glebe Joss house and he takes people on tour to China but he had already been this year with my sister Lyn Fong and a group of Fong's in May this yr.
Regards Barb- I have email Karen Seibert and she will be able to help with all family problems with Robbie Lowe's help.
It's Jason Gee here... My mother (Cecilia) was recently visiting in Darwin and made some contact with the Fong side of the family. A subsequent email followed which I have posted below.
I think this project needs to cover the matriarchal side of our family as well?
----------------------------------
From: barbara.fong@
To: ccha3534@
Subject: hullo Cecelia
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:44:27 +1000
Tim has sent me your email message to find all about Gee Hong Yet aka Chee Hong Yat
His father was Chee Poon according to history from Rev Lo Shui Kwong who was Chinese minister in Darwin after the war 1946 and died in Darwin
Rev Lo had written records of Darwin families history in an autobiography left with DArwin's State Archives and Aust archives in Darwin so you can read all about it in his biography history.He did write about Gee Hong Yet and his other son Gee Kwong Yet and Chee Poon comes from Taishan where most of the early Chinese migrants come from but I have no idea where about the village is but I believe the family home in Taishan is all locked up since the parents passed away many many years ago and the 2 sons Hung Yet and Kwong Yet were living in Darwin-I wonder if they were born in Taishan or in Broome where their father 1st migrated to.
I have visit Taishan in 2000 and find it a big country where many Chinese lived early 1880's so the family homes are now ghost homes -all locked up never to see family return to visit but someday some of the Gee's may want to tour Taishan one day-one needs to have a Chinese interpreter living here in Aust and that would be Chin Kwong who is now in charge of the Glebe Joss house and he takes people on tour to China but he had already been this year with my sister Lyn Fong and a group of Fong's in May this yr.
Regards Barb- I have email Karen Seibert and she will be able to help with all family problems with Robbie Lowe's help.
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