Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa late 1930s, Vancouver. Hand colourized portrait of Janki Shori. The image of Janki was removed from a photo where she appears with her daughter Smitra. Janki Shori was married to Jogi Ram who, for a time, owned the New Delhi Cabaret in Vancouver. It was a challenging marriage. Janki went on to make her own mark entertainment helping to bring Bollywood to the Vancouver area. She had three children.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Early 1930s, Vancouver. Photo of Janki Shori, a South Asian woman of Hindu descent. Later in life, she would become instrumental in bringing Bollywood films to screen in the Vancouver region. She was married to Jogi Ram Shori who owned the New Delhi Cabaret during the 1960s.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1928, Vancouver. Photo of Soo Wing Chor who came to Canada in 1923 and paid the $500 head tax. About three months after he arrived, the Federal Government introduced the Chinese Exclusion Act, which essentially barred further immigration by Chinese. He was 17 at the time. He went on to operate the Golden Goose Restaurant in Campbell River from the 1950s until he sold it and passed away in 1976.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Early 1920s, Vancouver. Photo of an unidentified man dressed in a suit. The photo was found in the archives of the Ming Wo Cookware collection (formerly known as Ming Wo Hardware.). Likely the photo has been given to Wong Chew Lip, the original owner of the store. This same unidentified man appears in a slightly earlier family photo where his wife and child in China are superimposed into the photo.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1930s, Vancouver. Portrait of an unidentified Chinese man. The photo was discovered in the archives of the Wongs' Benevolent Association.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1940s, Vancouver. Cropped portrait photo of an unidentified man. Photo was found in a box of portraits at the Wongs' Benevolent Association.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Late 1920s, Vancouver. Portrait of a seated, unidentified young Chinese woman. She is dressed in a cheongsam. This photo was found in the archives of Ming Wo Cookware (formerly known as Ming Wo Hardware).”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1917, Vancouver. Shirt maker Wong Mow (seated) with his unnamed business partner. It is believed they pooled their money to open the Modern Silk Shirt Tailors on Main Street in Vancouver. Back of card reads: Postcard Yucho Chow, 23 Pender Street West.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa late 1920s, Vancouver. Photo of Kenneth Wu (Kien Yeh Wu), editor of the ‘The Chinese Voice’ newspaper. Born in 1906 in Anhwid, China, he spoke Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Portuguese. Besides being a newspaper editor he also worked for a time in South America as a diplomat on behalf of the Chinese Government. He married Mee Lai (Lila) Yip, who was one of the daughters of Yip Sang.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Late 1930s or early 1940s, Vancouver. Head and shoulders photo of a young teen-aged looking Asian girl posed with her arms on the back of a chair. The transcription reads: ‘To Great-aunt (sister of father’s mother). From Yuk Waan.’ This photo was found in the archives of Ming Wo Cookware (formerly known as Ming Wo Hardware).”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1948, Vancouver. Full portrait of Helen Zesko (nee Klimec). B: Nov. 12, 1912 [1922?], d: Nov. 3, 2012. In 1942 she married David Zesko.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1931, Vancouver. Portrait of Lowe Wong Shee. The photo appears to have been taken for use as a travel document. On the front of the frame is written Feb 3, 1931. Blue Funnel (last word not clear) but likely related to the Blue Funnel Line of ships.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1935, Vancouver. Photo of a young, unidentified Chinese man wearing a three-piece suit. The photo was found in the album owned by Lillian Sam (nee Lowe).
Collector/curator’s description reads: “August 24, 1950, Vancouver. Head and shoulders portrait of Douglas Jung in uniform. One two photos from the same session. Douglas Jung served with Force 136 during the Second World War. He would train as a lawyer and become the Chinese Canadian elected to be a member of parliament.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1944, Vancouver. Photo of the Ko Bong children (from Victoria) with their father. Left to right: Mary Ko Bong; Peter Ko Bong; Andrew Ko Bong and John Ko Bong. Seated: George Bong Simon.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1942, Vancouver. Head and shoulders portrait of soldier James Mah dressed in uniform. Born in 1921, he was the youngest in the Mah Noey family. Documentation on the back is a note ‘from James to Ming,’ dated 1942.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Early 1940s, Vancouver. Bill Wong (left) of Modernize Tailors stands next to an uncle from the U.S. Both are dressed in military uniforms.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1935, Vancouver. Hand colourized wedding photo of Shong Buck Chong with Fannie Lim. Song Buck Chong was the eldest son of Chong Fan Yow. Left to right: Allena Chong Chinn (November 8, 1918 - ); - Fannie Lim Chong (November 22, 1913 - August 30, 1967); Shong Buck Chong (July 27, 1911 - September 27, 1962); Unknown man; Lily Lim Chung (August 18, 1927 - ) - younger sister of Fannie. Lives in San Francisco California.”
Collector/curator’s description, prepared with donating family, reads: “1935, Vancouver. Wedding of 1935 wedding photo of CHU Dit Young ‘Harold’ and YOUNG Soo Hing ‘Leila.’ 1. What was Leila's maiden name? - Young; full name Young Soo Hing ‘Leila’
Were they both born in Canada? - Yes
What did Harold (or Leila) do for a living? - Harold Chu worked for his family's store, Wing Wah Co and eventually took over the ownership and management with 2 of his cousins; Wing Wah sold dry goods, grocery, tobacco products, ‘pat medicines,’ cigars, and wholesale, and eventually focused on tobacco; it was in business from ~1913-1990
How many children did they have? - 6 children
And did they settle outside of Vancouver? - No
Anything interesting about either of them that you would like to share? - When I was growing up, Harold and Leila were always going out to help someone. As a child, I did not pay much attention to the reasons why. It was only when our family arranged Leila's funeral service a few years ago that we realized what an impact Harold and Leila made on the Chinese community. Many people we didn't know came to the service to pay their respects, taking the time to tell us how Harold and/or Leila had taken them to doctor's appointments, translated for them with bureaucrats, helped them find houses, showed them the best places to find groceries, helped them find schools for their children, and the thousand other tasks that are so hard for new immigrants to the country.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “April 1946, Vancouver. On location photo of the wedding reception for John Dick (Scottish Canadian) and Katarina Rossi (Italian Canadian). Photo was taken at Hastings Auditorium and shows the bride and groom cutting the wedding cake.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1933, Vancouver. Wedding photo of Willie Fun and Dorothy (nee Quan). Willie was from Quesnel, B.C. Dorothy was the daughter of well-known Vancouver businessman Quan Gow. When the couple married, a newspaper reported that after the wedding the couple came back to Quesnel and found their three-room cottage completely furnished. A story in the Province newspaper (Oct. 2, 1933) noted ‘There were rugs on the floors, the kitchen range in place, and a twelve-tube radio adorned one corner of the living room. In fact, everything needed for housekeeping was supplied and everything was new and chosen with taste. All had been supplied by his Chinese friends.’”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “November 27, 1948, Vancouver. Wedding photo of Herbert Yee Mon Law to Jean Quon (nee Chu) Law. With the couple is their bestman Kee Mon Law and bridesmaid Helen Wong Lee.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1943, Vancouver. Wedding photo of Mae and Sun (surname unknown) along with their bridal party. Helena Wong is second from left. The frame contains handwriting that reads ‘To Mr. & Mrs. Wong and Helena’ which refers to Wong Chew Lip and his wife who were the owners of Ming Wo Cookware. Helena Wong was their daughter.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Late 1940s, Vancouver. Unidentified wedding photo of an unidentified mixed-race couple. Man on the far left is John Howard Fair who came from the U.S. In the U.S. his surname was Sargent. Names of bride and groom are unknown. As is the name of the woman on the far right.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “November 1943, Vancouver. Wedding photo of Armin Walter and Evelina Gilda Clozza. The couple met in Ocean Falls, British Columbia and married there. However, on a trip to Vancouver they decided to get dressed up in their wedding outfits and have an official wedding photo taken.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1944, Vancouver. Wedding photo of Hank Wong to Mae Chin. The bridesmaid is Jennie Chin. The best man is unidentified.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “November 8, 1942, Vancouver. Hand colourized wedding photo of David Zesko (32) and Helen Klimec (18) and their entire wedding party. L to R - Joe Gerczye; Jim Petruk; Pete Nikolayuk, (all friends of the groom David); David Zesko; Helen (Klimec) Zesko; Nellie Klimec (sister of bride); Mary Czepil (one of Helen's first friends in Richmond); Annie Bykus (Helen's friend from Poland).”
Collector/curator?s description reads: ?1940s, Vancouver (518 Main St). L to R: Howard Fair (full name John Howard Stillman Fair); Louis Sterling Lawrence (1927-2013), Edna Lillian Lawrence; and an unidentified woman. Louis Sterling Lawrence (June 21, 1927-October 18, 2013) was born in Fredericton, NB and came to Vancouver after WWII. A right-handed boxer, who liked to do battle from a deep crouch, he had a solid record in his five-year professional career. He won 20 fights, lost two, and had four draws. Half his victories came through knockouts. His career culminated in 1955 when he won Canada's middleweight boxing championship. After winning the title, the fighter never boxed again. He relinquished the title through inactivity after two years. Louis was employed by Canadian Pacific Railway/ Via Rail and retired after 38 years of service. Louis died in 2013 at the age of 86. Note: John Howard Fair (b: June 22 1928- died 1988).?
Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. early 1930s, Vancouver. Photograph of Howard Ng (born August 16, 1928), grandson of Yucho Chow. Howard’s mother was Mabel Chow (Yucho’s daughter b. 1901) who had also served as the photographer’s first assistant.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1934, Vancouver. Hand-painted photo of Jessie Chow, daughter of Yucho Chow. Jessie was Yucho's third and youngest daughter. She worked at Yucho Chow Studios for many years as the colourist: hand painting black and white photos. Another, larger version of this same photo was painted by hand.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “December 1945, Vancouver. Portrait photo of Jessie Chow, third and youngest daughter of Yucho Chow. Jessie worked for many years in Yucho Chow Studio as the colourist. This is a black and white photo that was colourized by hand by Jessie using oil paints.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1932, Vancouver. Postcard portrait of Jessie Chow, Yucho Chow’s daughter. Jessie became the main hand colourist at the studio - using oils to hand paint black and white photos.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1943, Vancouver. Leonard A Chow in front of Yucho Chow Studio at 518 Main Street. Leonard was the first male grandchild of photographer Yucho Chow.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1920, Vancouver. Mabel Chow (centre) oldest daughter of photographer Yucho Chow, poses with two other unidentified Chinese girls.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1920, Vancouver. Photo of Mabel Chow (later known as Mabel Ng), daughter of photographer Yucho Chow and his first studio assistant.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “October 1970, Vancouver. Photo of Philip Chow of Yucho Chow Studio. Photo was taken inside the 512 Main Street location.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1946 or 1947, Vancouver. Photo of extended Yucho Chow family taken on front steps of family home on Francis Street (Vancouver), likely during the celebration of a major anniversary believed to be Yucho Chow’s 70th birthday. Back row L tor R: Philip Chow, Samuel Chow; and Henry. Fourth row: Jack Chow holding Raymond; Ying; Helena (Wong) Chow; Peter Chow holding Ben. Third row: Charlie Chow (Yucho’s brother); Yucho Chow; Mrs. Chow (Yip Shee Quon); unknown man. Second Row: Leonard; Anna and Madeline First Row: Bill, Marion, Veronica, Vivian.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1921, Vancouver. Photo taken in a park of photographer Yucho Chow and his family. Left to right: Rose Chow; Jessie Chow (in front); Mabel Chow (later Mabel Ng); Jack; Mrs. Chow; Philip (baby); Peter Chow (in front); and Yucho Chow.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “1936, Vancouver. Exterior photograph of Yucho Chow standing in front of his studio at 518 Main Street, Vancouver.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1944, Vancouver. Photograph of a seated Yucho Chow framed against his famous Art Deco Circles backdrop. Likely taken by one of his sons.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1940, Vancouver. Photo of four women associated with the Yucho Chow family. From Left to right: Helen Chow (married Yucho's first son Peter); Jessie Chow (youngest daughter); Rose Chow (second daughter); and Ying Chow (who married 2nd son Jack).”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. late 1930s. Location unknown. Photographer Yucho Chow (holding cigar) with his two sons Peter (far right) and Jack (second from right) and three unidentified men.”
