Does anyone know where to find more info about the chinese that came to Samoa to work on the plantat
My grandfather Leung Bing came to work in the plantations in Samoa around 1918/19. He had 2 children to my grandmother Vaioleti Sione Skipps. They weren't married in those days. He returned to China around 1947/48 and died there. Been trying to research my chinese side for a while now so if you can help me, that'd be great. Thanks.
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I have had some others ask the same type of question regarding Chinese immigrants to Samoa. This is really tough because of a clear lack of records. I am not a Chinese expert, but I've learned from Chinese family history specialists on this same question.
I understand that you must have the Chinese characters of the Chinese ancestor's name since the names they used once they were in Samoa were often just title of respect, not their real names. And there is often a confusion with the first and last names of Chinese immigrants.
Clues are often provided on their tombstones, but since he returned to China that does not help. Also, one must have their village of origin because the name alone is not adequate info. Unless there is a letter or some type of communication from China that is difficult to obtain.
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City has the largest collection of Chinese jiapu or family histories outside of Beijing, but the Search in the FamilySearch Catalog begins with a known location in China.
In these kinds of difficult situations I suggest you get DNA results from as many family members of possible and be patient as the Polynesian-Asian DNA data pool is just beginning to grow. If you can find a male line from this Chinese ancestor I suggest a Y chromosome DNA test which goes back 25-30 generations instead of the typical 4-5 generations. That may take you to his area of origin in China. Carefully study all your DNA cousin matches and you might solve a big mystery.
Is he listed as the father on his children's birth or baptism records? Even if they were not married he should be listed. If so, note the name and variations they used. Perhaps there's some kind of civil record for that era in Samoa, does anyone else have a suggestion?
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Thanks for your help and feedback. I know this task of find my chinese grandfather isn't going to be easy especially when we've got very little info to go on. My mother who lives in Samoa will try to find out details of his arrival and departure in Samoa with Immigration there. I'm not sure if my mother had a birth certificate in those days but will find out. However we do know Leung Bing purchased land for his son so we're getting the land title details at the moment. Unfortunately Leung Bing didn't have any family in Samoa that we're aware of. He did come from China with his brother but they both left together to return to China when their contracts were up. It was obvious they missed home (China) and wanted to go home to their family. I've also contacted My Chinese Roots.com and they've given us a few pointers. So we're grateful for the extra help we've been given and will defiinitely take those on board as we continue our search for Leung Bing.
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Land records could be a good lead. I assume he was not able to buy land, but as you said, he bought it for his son. I suggest you search for the brother as well. I would definitely get any of those Chinese cousins to do DNA tests, especially their sons. It's impossible to do DNA once they've passed, so do not delay! good luck!
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Thanks for your help. Appreciate it.
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Hi Italia,
Its always a stumbling block finding our Chinese connection in Samoa. Sometimes they translate their Chinese names into English like Ah Mu translate to Rivers, and they carry both names. You might want to look into that too. Yes, immigration and library for more inforamtion.
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This is an 18 page summary of the history of the Chinese in Samoa:
This book is hard to find:
Tom, Nancy Y. W.
The Chinese in Western Sāmoa 1875-1985 The Dragon Came From Afar, Western Sāmoa
Historical & Cultural Trust, Commercial Printers Ltd, Apia, Sāmoa (1986)
The book is in these libraries:
Henry
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Excellent! Thanks for sharing! I'm going to request that Family History Library in Salt Lake City purchase a copy.
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Here is an article you can download:
Chinese contract labour in the Pacific Islands during the nineteenth century
Here is a thesis you can download: catching the Dragon's Tail: The Impact of the Chinese in Samoa
https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/4257
Henry
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Thank you for sharing your insight. I’m from Hawaii but we have the same issues with making connections back to China. I have one of three Chinese family names characters, but no clue to where inChina any of my three Chinese great grandfathers came from.
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Thanks for your response. I've looked at mychineseroots.com but it's quite involved especially when you don't have much info/records to go on. My mum's still researching for these records in Samoa. Have you tried doing a DNA test?
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Thanks for your help. Will do.
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