William See
I am looking for information regarding a Chinese-Australian immigrant named William See (MWMN-PF4). I previously asked a question here which led me to finding his application to be naturalized, as well as his baptismal record and Alien Registration Card. Here are the facts as I have found them:
-William was born in Guangdong (Canton/Kuangtung) in China on 24 August 1870. Parents are Don Ett See and Edith Yong. One thing that I am looking for that might be useful is how William's parents obtained their Western names, since as far as I know they never left China. My best guess is baptism or some other connection with the British Empire.
-William, however, would leave China. Around June 1886 (Age 15) he would arrive in Brisbane and spend the rest of his life there. in 1890 he would be baptized into the Church of England and take the Christian name William. He evidently went by "Mah/Mar See" and according to oral tradition from descendants his name may have been "Mar Duk". However, this is indistinguishable from the Babylonian deity with that name. At baptism, William is working as a waiter and living on Mary Street.
-On 26 December 1900, William would marry a white woman named Minnie Sophia Guy (My ancestor's sister). The birthdate of William and Western names of parents are confirmed in the marriage record. William and Minnie would go on to have a few children together.
-Around 1912, William applied for naturalization, a curious fact considering the White Australia Policy. Because of this policy, William was denied naturalization. Luckily, I did find some information. William had been working as a market gardener in Ekibin for much of his time in Brisbane, and he also worked as a shipping contractor under the alias Sam Hop Hoy (further research indicates this may have been the company he worked for?). We also have a couple of character statements that seem to indicate some good connections within his community. His Chinese name is given again as "Mah See" but no characters are used and no village of origin is given.
-William would pass away on 2 July 1945, age 76. Cemetery records give him the name "William George See" without the typical use of characters on the gravestones of Chinese immigrants.
My research goal is to find William's name in characters and/or village of origin in China. Typical research into local archives in Australia has yielded little information besides what I have already indicated. It appears that William never really looked back after immigrating, including not seeking a dictation test exemption. I am wondering what I should look for that would require William to have listed his original name in characters or the village he came from. One other angle of course is the fact that despite not leaving China, his parents adopted Western names. Any tips would be most helpful!
Answers
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Page from Chinese Australian Historical Society
Includes links to a Forum called Chinese Genealogy, and Facebook group associated with the Chinese Australian Historical Society
Also includes the following link which may be of interest https://chineseaustralia.org
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