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.

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It's more from Rev Shui Kwong Lo's unpublished manuscript 'From my Darwin notebook' that Jason posted about previously (from information from Barbara Fong).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------------------------------------------------------- According to Rev Shui Kwong Lo's unpublished manuscript 'From my Darwin notebook' written 1941-1989 Fong Sew Hau (also called Fong Sui Wing and Fong How) arrived in Palmerston in 1885 from Bamboo Gully,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.

Fong Sui Wing (Fong How) [a Profile]

Fong How - 59 years of age in 1919 (3 months before his death)

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'.

[1] From the Chinese-Australian Historical Images in Australia (CHIA) Website http://www.chia.chinesemuseum.com.au/biogs/CH00950b.htm