Showing 295 results

Collector/curator's description reads: “1943, Vancouver. On location photo of the graduating class. The boy in front row, centre is Harvey Eng (son of Henry Eng). Back row (left to right): Miss Montgomery; Miss Lily McCarger; Mrs. Jack Chan; and Miss Esther Fung? Third Row: Unidentified; David Lim; Kong (Ken) Young; Unidentified; Unidentified. Middle Row: May Chu?: Valerie Lee; Audrey Yip: Jenny Jang; Unidentified. Front Row: Unidentified; Mary Phyllis Kett?; Harvey Eng, Mavis Yuen, Unidentified. This picture was taken at the Chinese United Church complex on Pender and Dunlevy Streets. These steps lead up to the men's dormitory where the church rented out rooms to single young men. The actual church was to the right of this building. The kindergarten classes were held in the basement of this building.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “March 1941, Vancouver. Portrait of Bow Gwun Ho in uniform (or Bao Junhao in Mandarin). He was the Chinese Consulate in Vancouver from 1935-1941.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “April 4, 1942, Vancouver. Full length-photo of a Chinese woman (believed to be Cantonese opera performer Shwu-Hoang Po Hing) wearing a cheongsam and holding five Canadian $100 bills. On the pedestal are the words "Please Keep." This is likely a publicity shot as the photo appears in a few family collections. This was taken during WWII and she may have been fundraising for China relief.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1948, Vancouver. Portrait of Mary Chan who was best known as a community activist in Vancouver's Chinatown and surrounding neigbhourhoods. She and her husband Walter founded SPOTA: the Strathcona Property Owners and Tenants Association. Along with her daughter Shirley, the Chan family organized the neighbourhood and stopped demolition and the building of a freeway through Vancouver's Chinatown.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1915, Vancouver. Photo of Chan Quay and his wife, Lam Shee, along with their children. Front row (left to right): Git Sen (Lillian) Chan; Lam Shee; Chan Quay; and Nai Wing Chan. Back row (left to right): Nai Quong Chan and Keng Sen (Mary) Chan. Chan Quay Family. Chan Quay, shown here with his family in 1915, decided not to stay in Canada. He paid the head tax and arrived in Victoria in 1896. For years he successfully operated [Wo] Sang Merchant Tailor shops first in Victoria and then in Vancouver. Quay also was very active in his clan society and led the efforts to construct the Chin Wing Chun Tong society building on Pender Street. However, something drew him back to China. In 1928, he sold the tailor shop and left for China with his wife and two youngest children. He died in China in 1940. Lillian Chan Mah Collection (99).”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1955, Vancouver. Head and shoulders portrait of Walter Wah Koh Chan. He was married to Strathcona community activist Mary Chan. Walter Chan was a leader in the fight to save Strathcona and Chinatown from urban renewal and the freeway. He wrote articles for the Chinese press rallying the Chinese community. Along with his wife, he made speeches and was one of the three initial Co-chairs of SPOTA. To earn a living, he worked as a Manager in Chinatown in the family store: Trans Nation Emporium which sold curio and antiques in the front (Pender Street side) and Chinese foods and herbal medicines in the back (Columbia Street). As Walter was educated and scholarly, he worked for the clan association Chin Wing Chun Tong as secretary treasurer. He wrote letters for illiterate members, he managed their books, he made speeches at gatherings etc. He had a chronic illness that was undiagnosed. He died 58. Hence, few people remember what he did for the community. His wife Mary Chan, carried on the community activism work for another 30 years.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1955. Location unknown. On location photo of Charles Soloman Chow (younger brother of Yucho Chow) and his wife Mary Chow (nee Feica) on the occasion of their 45th wedding anniversary. Mary (nee Feica) was of Romanian descent and the couple lived in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Charles died on June 27, 1957 at the age of 74 years.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa early 1920s, Vancouver. Head and shoulders studio portrait of Cheng Ging Butt. Butt came to Canada around 1880 to work on the railroad. But after an injury he decided to change occupations and became a businessman. He settled in the town of Yale and opened a dry goods store, a gambling parlour, an orchard, a temple and a still to make ‘beverages’ (i.e. liquor). He also served as a labour agent for new immigrants and purchased a few properties in the Fraser Valley.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1928, Vancouver. Family of CPR worker Cheng Ging Butt. Back row, L to R: William, Harry, Edward, Henry. Front row: L to R: imothy, Maurice, wife Lena Jang holding Cecil, Cheng Ging Butt holding Beatrice, Ellen and Bevan (Clarence). Cheng Ging Butt literally tried his hand at building the railway, but when he lost a finger under the weight of a steel rail, he gave it up for less dangerous work. ‘Conditions were really primitive, it was really cold, it was not safe and Grandpa decided that he was not going to do this anymore,’ said his grandson, Kevin Jangze. ‘He ended up with a grocery store, a temple, a cherry orchard, a still to make ‘beverages,' and some houses of gaming. And so Grandfather, being quite the entrepreneur, built up this little empire.’ Cheng Ging Butt, proprietor of Cheng Foo's in Yale, B.C., last stop on the steamship run, before the Cariboo, was a Chinese Canadian pioneer. His store provisioned the Chinese railway workers, who had to pay their own way while working for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Cheng landed in New Westminster, B.C., around 1871, at age 22, from Sun Hui village, early enough to avoid the head tax, but not the discrimination. He raised a family with Lena Jang, the wife he bought from the Leong family, who gave him eight boys and two girls. Cheng died in 1929, the year the Great Depression took away everything he'd earned.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “March 19, 1938, Vancouver. Wedding photo of Violet Jong (Lowe) to Jimmy Cheng.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1907, Vancouver. Photo of Cheng Won. Cheng Won was born April 28, 1858 in China (Kwai May, Sun Wui aka Guimei/Xinhui). He was also known as Jeng Tien Soon. Cheng Won arrived in Canada when the head tax was still $50. He owned Wo Hing General Store in Lillooet BC, until it burned down in 1948. He also had a pig farm, barber shop, dance hall, ‘moving picture room,’ and two restaurants. He was often called ‘Mr. Wo Hing’ because of this store. His son, Hing Dien Cheng was born in Lillooet/ North Bend, B.C., and also ran the store. As well, Hing Dien's cousin, Jim Cheng, was brought over from China to help work in the store, barber shop and other family businesses. Cheng Won died in Vancouver on February 3, 1953.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1944, Vancouver. Head and shoulder portrait of teenager Jennie Chin. Writing on the cardboard frame reads ‘To Mae and Hank, Love Jennie.’”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1944, Vancouver. Portrait of two sisters: Lily Chin (left) and Jennie Chin.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1920s, Vancouver. Photo of several men who were part of a Chinese business association. Wong Mow (owner Modern Silk Company; later called Modern Shirt Company) is second from left. Yucho Chow (studio photographer) is fifth from left.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1934, Vancouver. 572 East Georgia Street. Kindergarten class of Chinese Catholic Mission. Adult woman on left is Miss Sarah Chan. Nun on right is Sister Mary Gerlude (sp?).”

Collector/curator's description reads: “June 27, 1926, North Vancouver (Seymour Creek District). Vancouver's Chinese United Educational Picnic.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Sept. 9, 1939, Vancouver. Group photo of Ching Won Music Society. Taken to commemorate an award they won for their participation in the ‘One Bowl of Rice’ fundraising drive in September 1939 to aid Chinese war refugees. Held at the same time as the Moon Festival events, the ‘One Bowl of Rice Drive’ campaign was organized by Vancouver's Chinese community and collected $25,000 in funds. The festival included a bazaar, a Chinese opera performance, dance, and an art exhibition. The banner reads: ‘golden sound and jade vibration’ meaning resounding clarity, harmonious. ‘Golden sound’ represents kindness, and "jade vibration" represents sageness, so it can also be a metaphor for people's knowledge and ability to learn. Beatrice Jai (Lew Yew Wah) b. 1928 is the young girl seated at the front. Her future husband, Raymond Jai (Jai Yew Kwong) b. 1916, is seated directly in front of the banner on the left side.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1945, Vancouver. Edith Woo (born 1927). In 1948 married WWII veteran and commercial fisherman, Willie Chong. Together they had three children.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1943, Vancouver. Photo of Edith (Woo) Chong.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1920s, Vancouver. Photo of the Chong Fan Yow Family. This photo was discovered in an antique store and purchased by Mr. Arthur Close.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1920s, Vancouver. Mr. and Mrs. Chong Fan Yow are pictured with their young sons Chong Buck Sun (left) and Chong Buck Shong (right). This stunning 1920s family photo was discovered in a Value Village Thrift Store. The photo had gone silent: There was no information about the people in the picture. As well, part of the Yucho Chow logo had been cut off to make the picture fit into the frame. The photo with frame was purchased by Roma Kuzhler, a young Russian immigrant artist. In 2019, the image was printed in the Vancouver Sun newspaper as part of an article on Yucho Chow. Joyce Chong was sitting on the Langdale Ferry flipping through the newspaper and recognized the boy on the right as her father, Chong Buck Shong. She had not seen this photo before but knew father.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. early 1930s, Vancouver. Standing portrait of Fannie Lim likely taken before she was married to Shong Buck Chong. November 22, 1913 - August 30, 1967.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “July 9, 1950. Vancouver. Wedding photo of Ging Chong and May (nee Lee) Chong.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “October 28, 1947. Wedding photo (head and shoulders) of Irene and Harold Chong.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “October 28, 1947. Wedding of Harold and Irene Chong along with their wedding party. Left to Right: Ernest Lew; George Chong; Willie Chong; Violet Cahn (flowergirl); Harold Chong; Irene Chong; Violet (nee Chan) Chong; Elsie Lowe; Eva Lew and Florence Eng.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1944, Vancouver. Photo of Chong Sat Chong (seated) with his four sons (left to right): Harold; Jackie; George and Willie.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa early 1940s. Black and white portrait of Peggy Chong (who later married and became known as Peggy Lee.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. early 1930s. (Left) Shong Buck Chong (July 27, 1911- September 27, 1962). He was the oldest son of Chong Fan Yow. (Right) Dick Sam (originally a Wu). He was often referred to as the Beansprout Man. Photo was taken during the Great Depression when many Chinese lived in poverty. And to save money, people would sometimes pool their money to pay for the photographs. As well, it was common to borrow a suit from a friend. It would appear that Dick Sam's suit is too big for him and may be the reason why he is sitting, rather than standing.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1935, Vancouver. Black and white wedding photo of Shong Buck Chong and Fanny. Chong was an entrepreneur. Between the 1940s and 1960s, he owned a grocery storec alled Ah Kai Co. located at Granville and Davie Street. In the 1950s, he also owned a restaurant called The Horseshoe Restaurant located at Renfrew and Hastings Street. His wife was a homemaker and later had to look after the grocery store when Chong passed away.”

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 reads: “November 18, 1948, Vancouver. Black and white wedding photo of Willie Chong and Edith (nee Woo) Chong. The same photo was also hand colourized.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “November 18, 1948, Vancouver. Hand-coloured wedding photo of Willie Chong and Edith (nee Woo) Chong. Willie Chong served with Force 136 during the Second World War. He later became a fisherman. The couple had three daughters.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1940s, Vancouver. Chong Fan Yow Family. Back row left to right: Sally Chong Chew (October 20, 1926) (Lived in Oakland California); Pearl (Chong) Lee (October 3, 1938 - ); Jean (Chong) Mah (August 27, 1937 - ); Shong Sun Chong (November 5, 1916 - May 7, 2004). Front row from left to right: Gladys (Chong) Yip (Feb 18, 1940 - ); Mrs. Shong Buck Chong (nee Lim) (November 22, 1913- August 30, 1967); Mrs. Chong Fan Chow (December 2, 1884 - June 8, 1960); Stephen Chong (December 22, 1943 - December 31, 2007); Chong Fan Yow (May 6, 1879 - April 26, 1962); Diana Chong (August 27, 1942); Shong Buck Chong (eldest son) (July 17, 1911 - September 27, 1962); Leona (Chong) Quan (July 7, 1945 - ). Not born yet: Joyce Chong (December 27, 1950).”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Mid-1940s, Vancouver. Photo of Harold Chong.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1946, Vancouver. Hand colourized Portrait of Second World War veteran Willie Chong, in uniform. Chong served with Force 136 in Southeast Asia and was trained as a guerilla fighter.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1921, Vancouver. George Mook Chow, age 10, from Moose Jaw. His father was Charles Soloman Chow (Yucho's younger brother). George had travelled by train from Moose Jaw to Vancouver. His name was sewn into his coat so that he could easily be identified. The plan was for George to visit China along with his uncle Yucho Chow and his children. The trip was scheduled for March of 1921 on the ship the Empress of Russia. George stayed in China for approximately two years then came back to Moose Jaw. He left again for China as a teen when he became named in the divorce of a white couple. He only returned to Canada in 1943 after escaping a Japanese prisoner of war camp.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Late 1930s, Vancouver. Full-length studio portrait of Helena (Wong) Chow, who was married to Peter Chow. She was born in Banff, Alberta in 1917. Her husband, Peter Chow, was oldest son of commercial photographer Yucho Chow. Peter took over the running of the studio when he father died in November 1949. He operated the business with his brother Philip Chow, until they both retired in 1986. Helena and Peter had eight children.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa: early 1920s, Vancouver. Photo of two children: Kay and Bill Chow. These were the mixed-race children of Charles Soloman Chow (Yucho Chow's younger brother) and Mary Chow (nee Feica). The family lived in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1928, Vancouver. Photo of Chow King Tong family. Tong (1874-1932) worked on the railroad and later turned to farming. He lived with his wife #3, named Chow Wong Shee (1892-1942) and their family in Agassi but later moved to Ashcroft, following the CPR route. Tong was also from Hoy Ping and would stay at the back of Yucho Chow Studio when in Vancouver. ‘Chow King Tong, my Grandfather: 1874-1932; Chow Wong Shee, my Grandmother: 1892-1942. The family name is Chow.....some continued using Tong as a surname
But the males used Chow (my dad had it legally changed in the 1950's). My generation of my Chinese name has Tong on the end...my dad's was different. My grandmother's name was changed from her birth name to Wong Shee which meant that she was the wife of someone (this was apparently quite common). I hope this helps. Franklin.’”

Collector/curator’s original description reads: “C. 1911, Vancouver. Portrait of the children of CHOW Ten Lam. This photo was taken the same day as a family portrait which included the parents. (Left to Right) Henry; Lillian; Baby Victoria; and George. Their father, Chow Ten Lam, who arrived in Canada in 1897, earned a living doing many different things. Over his lifetime, he was as an accountant in his uncle’s store; he was a news correspondent for a Chinese newspaper; a partner in a wholesale grocery business and finally an interpreter and general insurance agent. Early on, he learned English from a Methodist Sunday school teacher. Their father was eventually baptized and the Chow family were one of the first Chinese Christian families in Canada.”

Collector/curator’s original description reads: “C. 1911, Vancouver. Portrait of the CHOW Ten Lam Family. Left to right: George; Chow Ten Lam; Henry standing in front; Lillian standing in back); Victoria (baby) and Mrs. Chow Ten Lam. Chow Ten Lam was born in China in 1877 and arrived in Vancouver on 21 July 1897. His father (whose name is not remembered) had arrived in Canada in the 1860s. The elder Chow made his way to Barkerville looking for gold and eventually returned to China with his fortune. Chow Ten Lam worked at many jobs over his lifetime. He was as an accountant in his uncle’s store; he was a news correspondent for a Chinese newspaper; a partner in a wholesale grocery business and finally an interpreter and general insurance agent. Early on, he learned English from a Methodist Sunday school teacher. He was eventually baptized and the Chow family were one of the first Chinese Christian families in Canada.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1930, Vancouver. Copy of a photo of the Chow Wone family who ran a successful business in Kaslo, British Columbia. The photo was believed to be taken before the family departed for a trip to Hoy Ping, China. All of the eight children were born in British Columbia. More children followed, and Chow Wone had other children from his other wives. Chow Wone's name was composed of his surname first, then his given name. However, since that was the opposite of British convention, all his children born in Canada were given the name Wone as their surname. Back row, left to right: Hell Lee (nee Wone) and Lily. Front, left to right: Mona (nee Wone) Wong; Moy Foon (wife #2) holding infant Diane; Bill Wone with brother Tommy in front; patriarch Chow Wone; unidentified toddler; and Irene Jung (nee Wone).”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Vancouver, 1939. Toy and Lily Choy with the newly-adopted son, Wayson. They were an older couple unable to have children. Toy was a cook with CPR ships, while Lily worked in a sausage shop in Chinatown. Years later, their son Wayson would become a celebrated Asian-Canadian writer who would author popular stories of growing up in Chinatown, including ‘The Jade Peony’ and ‘Paper Shadows.’ Only at age 56 did Wayson learn he was adopted and that his biological father had been a member of a Cantonese opera company.”

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’

2. Were they both born in Canada? - Yes
3. 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
4. How many children did they have? - 6 children
5. And did they settle outside of Vancouver? - No
6. 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: “C. 1920s, Vancouver. Full length portrait of Chu Kum Suey. Lived in Nanaimo, BC. Born in Bak Chun, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China May 12, 1885. Died in Vancouver, BC November 5, 1957.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1956, Vancouver. Photo of the 3 generations of the Chun family. (Left to right): Lynda Chui; Mary (Chun) Chui; April Chui (on lap); Eng Sim Low ‘Lily’ (mother to Mary); Bing (Lily's father whose full first name is not remembered); and Judy Chui.”

Collector/curator’s description, reads: “Late 1930s, Vancouver. Photo of Winnie Con as a bridesmaid in the wedding of Edward Wong and Adeline Mah. Winnie would later marry Quon Wong, a businessman based in Vancouver's Chinatown.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Early 1930s. Location: Vancouver. Portrait of Victor Cumyow. Victor was the son of Won Alexander Cumyow, believed to be the first Chinese person born on Canadian soil. Victor spent his early career working as an entertainer -- a singer -- and performed at the Paramount Club in Shanghai as well as in Vancouver clubs like the Manadarin Gardens. His stage name was Vic Won and he performed with a number of. His first wife, Anne May Wong, died in or around 1935. Later he married a Caucasian woman. Victor gave up his singing career and worked at a radio sales and repair store.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “C. 1920s, Vancouver. Photo of Won Alexander Cumyow and his wife, Eva Chan. Cumyow is believed to be the first Chinese person born on Canadian soil. He spoke several languages worked as a court interpreter for the Vancouver Police Dept.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1938, Vancouver. Photo of the Dang Yee Gee Family. Left to right: Soo Hoo (mother); Jean; Larry; Gilbert; Flo and Yee Gee.”