Showing 639 results

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: “Early 1900s, location unknown. On-location photo of an unidentified large group of people, mostly Caucasians, gathered on the steps of a building.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1910, Vancouver. Portrait of Ng Lin Kee. Came for the CPR and afterwards became the first Chinese merchant in Ashcroft operated a general store and market garden. Ng also created its first scandal. He had 9 wives: 3 of them Chinese, and the other 6 were local native [Indigenous] women. Altogether he had 40 children. It is rumoured that in one week he became a father three times. He did not live with his wives but provided for all of them and his children. He died July 17, 1923 and was buried in Kamloops Cemetery.”

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 description reads: “C. 1911, Vancouver. Photo of Wah Yip and his wife Emma (formerly known as Emma Haywood) and their two children, Mary (left) and Winnie. They are an example of an early and rare, mixed-race marriage. The couple married relatively late in life: Wah was 35 and Emma was 30 when they married in Vancouver in March, 1908. Wah was listed as born in Victoria and his occupation was listed as "store keeper". Emma had been born in Nashville, Tennessee and on the marriage certificate she is listed as a "widow." The identified their home as 102 East Pender St in Vancouver. Interestingly, the two witnesses to their marriage were not Chinese, but had the surnames Arnault and Barbour. This photo was found in the album owned by the Methodist Church.”

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 1912, Vancouver. Standing portrait of Samuel Jagat Singh, a Sikh who converted to Christianity and was taunted and beaten by his community. He became a pastoral assistant to a Christian missionary Kenneth James Grant.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “C. 1912, Vancouver. Photo five Chinese men and two Caucasian men all dressed in suits. Photo found in an album that is part of the Oriental Home and School fonds. Back row, left to right: Rev. Lee Ga Tong; Kev. Kwan Yu Nam; Rev. Cheung. Front row, left to right: Rev. Chan Yu Lan; Rev. Dr. Oserhout; Rev. Mr. Hartwell; Rev. Fong Dickman.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1913, Vancouver. Photo of Mabel Chow in the studio which may have been a 5 West Pender, Vancouver. Mabel was Yucho Chow’s oldest daughter and spent many years working with him as his main assistant.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1914, Vancouver. Wong Wing family standing on Keefer Street. Left to right: John Wong, Chan Dai Yuen, Wong Wing Fong, Ben Wong.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1914, Vancouver. Family standing on Keefer Street? Left to right: John Wong, Chan Dai Yuen, Wong Wing Fong, Ben Wong.
Wong Tan Soo was born on August 6, 1872 in Canton, China. In China he purchase fabric from the city and would make clothes for the village. Wong Tan Soo came to Canada in 1889, as a businessman for a better life. His two brothers came to Canada too but no idea when.
1889-1914. Victoria, BC. He owned a dry goods store and also did tailoring. The family home was located on the corner of Government Street and Fisgard, 1818 Government Street. 1914 -1949, Vancouver. Moved to Vancouver - the New City and used the name Wong Wing Fong. 1914- Lived at 316 Keefer. 2 treadle sewing machines and 2 commercial electric sewing machines were in the front room with chairs lining the walls for people to sit on. In 1943 he bought a home at 626 Keefer Street with his son John Wong. Other son Ben then moved into the house with his wife Pearl and 4 children.
Wong Wing Fong worked as a tailor for 50 years. Last worked as a tailor in 1933. He and his wife would make clothes for the family and did contract work to sew uniforms for Hotel Van and Hotel Georgia's bellboys and waiters. A contractor would show at the house and drop off bundles of fabric. The chairs that lined the walls were often filled with Chinese bachelors who come to Wong Wing Fong to have letters read and written for them. Wong Wing Fong could read and write in Chinese. Not sure if the bachelors paid him or not.
Wong Tan Soo was listed as Wong Tim Soo on Ben Wong's birth certificate (mistake?).
In Vancouver Wong Tan Soo went by the name of Wong Wing Fong a name given to him by a Chinese Astrologer in China to bring him better luck.
Died on June 9, 1949. Death certificate is under the name of Wong Tan Soo and the gravestone is Wong Wing Fong.

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1914, Vancouver. Photo of new immigrant, Ella Erickson, sitting on a chair. Ella Erickson immigrated to Canada from what is now Estonia or Finland (then part of the Russian Empire) in 1913 (according to census data) and settled in BC. The man who would later become her husband, Pete, came from the same area although he arrived in Canada earlier (1909). Family lore says that he was a merchant seaman who jumped ship and stayed on in Vancouver. So, he may have sent for Ella from Estonia/Finland to marry her. Pete Erickson became a commercial fisherman and the couple lived in various locations on the BC coast. They had no children. Eventually, they settled in Steveston where they made friends with the Rei family. This photo was given by Ella to her friend, Ms. Rei. Ella was remembered by one of Mrs. Rei[‘s] children, John Rei as ‘a nice old lady who was always cheerful and had cookies and milk to offer.’”

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: “C. 1915, Vancouver. Photo of (Left) Chin Shee (b. 1885-1948) was the wife of farmer Sam Hopp Eng (1860-1935) who owned a farm on Lulu Island. The other woman is believed to be a friend although she appears in a family photo showing Chin Shee, her husband and her children. Likely she was a relative of Chin Shee.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “C. 1915, Vancouver. An unidentified foursome posed for this unusual photo around 1915. The people may be related: perhaps parents with a daughter and a son-in-law or fiance? Or they may not be relatives. In any case, there are elements in this image not generally seen in other photos: the bottle and filled glasses on the table; a newspaper resting part way on the floor; and the older woman fixated on the younger woman. In early photography, every prop had meaning. However, all these odd pieces only add mystery to this photo.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1915, Vancouver. Unidentified Chinese man in a three-piece suit. Photo was found in a collection that once belonged to Wong Shih Park, who was based in Vancouver. The man's lip and the flowers have been hand-painted with red dabs of paint.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1915, Vancouver. Quong John Wong in a suit. Quong was a Vancouver businessman who ran a grocery store and invested in restaurants. It is believed that, for some period, he was a partner/owner in the W.K. Gardens Chop Suey restaurant, a popular banquet-style restaurant that operated in Vancouver's Chinatown from about 1917-1985.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1916, Vancouver. Left to right: James McNeilage; Jenny McNeilage (mother); Andrew McNeilage; Jenny's unidentified sister; and Dolly McNeilage. This photo was passed onto Jim, who in turn passes it on to his daughter Maureen McNeilage McGregor. Jenny's unidentified sister appears in another postcard photo likely taken the same day as she is dressed in the exact same coat and hat and appears with a WWI soldier. It is believed the sister was named Helen Marshall/Hatch (nee Galbraith) who was a widow that lived at and managed the Patricia Lodge at 83 West Pender Street.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “C. 1916, Vancouver. Photo of siblings (L to R): Michael Dragan (born 1909), James Dragan and Walter Dragan. A portrait studio photo taken about a year or two later, does not contain James. They were Ukrainian but in the 1911 Canada [census?], their parents, Alex and Oleni Dragan, would claim the family was from Galacia (then part of the Austria - Hungarian Empire) and that their ethnic group was Ruthenian and Greek Orthodox religion. Galacia covered an area of Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. Michael spend his whole life in the logging industry starting in a sawmill just after high school. He worked in various logging camps up the coast and later became a partner in a sawmill near Brandywine Falls (close to where Whistler is today). Michael later moved back to Vancouver and worked at Bay Forest Lumber for the rest of his working life. At Bay Forest he performed many duties such as timber cruising, road development and, during the winter months, did map work in the office. Walter held many jobs including chauffeur, truck driver, and longshoreman.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1917, Vancouver. Oleni and Alex Dragan. They were Ukrainian but in the 1911 Canada, they would claim the family was from Galacia (then part of the Austria - Hungarian Empire) and that their ethnic group was Ruthenian and Greek Orthodox religion. Galacia covered an area of Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. They would have three children: Michael, Walter and James. Although the photo records suggests that James died in childhood.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “C. 1917, Vancouver. Photo of brothers Walter (far left) and Michael Dragan (second from left) with their Uncle (Alex Pernerowska) and their cousin Pearl Pernerowska. This same day another photo was taken but just of the two Dragan brothers.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1917, Vancouver. Photo of unidentified woman sitting with an infant on her lap. This photo was found in the collection of Michael Dragan, who was from a Ukrainian Canadian family.”

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 1917, Vancouver. Portrait of a Chinese man whose last name was Lowe.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1917, Vancouver. Photo of Mabel Chow in the studio at 23 West Pender, Vancouver. Mabel was Yucho Chow’s oldest daughter and spent many years working with him as his main assistant.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “C. 1917, Vancouver. Photo of brothers Michael (b: 1909) and Walter Dragan. They were Ukrainian but in the 1911 Canada [census?], their parents, Alex and Oleni Dragan, would claim the family was from Galacia (then part of the Austria - Hungarian Empire) and that their ethnic group was Ruthenian and Greek Orthodox religion. Galacia covered an area of Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. Michael spend his whole life in the logging industry starting in a sawmill just after high school. He worked in various logging camps up the coast and later became a partner in a sawmill near Brandywine Falls (close to where Whistler is today). Michael later moved back to Vancouver and worked at Bay Forest Lumber for the rest of his working life. At Bay Forest he performed many duties such as timber cruising, road development and, during the winter months, did map work in the office. Walter, the younger brother, held done many jobs including chauffeur, truck driver, and longshoreman.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1918, Vancouver. Postcard showing two men dressed in an unidentified uniforms (perhaps police uniforms). Taken at: Yucho Chow Studio, 23 Pender St. W., Vancouver B.C.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1918, Vancouver. Photo of five young Chinese-Canadian men dressed in suits. It is uncertain what the relationship is among these men. The names are unknown with the exception of one: Henry Eng who is back row, right. He had worked as a houseboy.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1918, Vancouver. Photo of Ishar Singh Gill and his beloved dog, King. Ishar came to Canada in 1906 and eventually owned and operated Patterson Wood Yards, a company that delivered wood fuel to homes. When paying taxes or tarrifs, Ishar was simply recorded as Hindo [Hindu] #10. The dog accompanied him on his rounds delivering wood and the two developed a special bond. King was so loved that after he died, every other dog owned by the Gill family has been named King. Ishar Singh was known for being very stylish. He was the first among his community to buy a brass bed. Friends and neighbours came by his house just to see the fancy bed.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1918, Vancouver. Photo of Mabel Chow and an unidentified Chinese girl in the studio at 23 West Pender, Vancouver. Mabel was Yucho Chow’s oldest daughter and spent many years working with him as his main assistant.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1918, Vancouver. Wedding photo of an unidentified Italian bride and groom with extended family member.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1918, Vancouver. Head and shoulders portrait of Mabel Chow in the studio at 23 West Pender, Vancouver. Mabel was Yucho Chow’s oldest daughter and spent many years working with him as his main assistant.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1918, Vancouver. Photo of Mabel Chow in the studio at 23 West Pender, Vancouver. Mabel was Yucho Chow’s oldest daughter and spent many years working with him as his main assistant.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1919, Vancouver. Photo of businessman Quong Wong and his wife and children and other relatives. Back row standing (Left to right): Quong Wong and Nellie Wong. Middle row: Mary (standing); Hum Shee (spouse of Quong Wong) holding infant son Ted Wong; Grandfather Sam Leong; Grandmother Foong Heng holding Yuet Yuen; and Yet Yee. Front row: Dorothy; Kay/Kathleen and Leonard (children of Quong Wong and Hum Shee); Wing Gee; Gin Goong.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1919, Vancouver. Quong John Wong with his wife Hum Shee Wong and their children. Left to right: Mrs. Wong holding son Ted; Leonard (#1 son); Quong John Wong; and daughter Kathleen. Quong was a Vancouver businessman who ran a grocery store and invested in restaurants. It is believed that, for some period, he was a partner/owner in the W.K. Gardens Chop Suey restaurant, a popular banquet-style restaurant that operated in Vancouver's Chinatown from about 1917-1985.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1919, Vancouver. Jung Association medley of head and shoulder portraits of men who were members of the Jung/Jang Association. Photo was presented to ?????”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “April 11, 1920, Vancouver. Mabel Chow stands out front of Yucho Chow Studio at 23 West Pender Street, Vancouver. Mabel was the eldest daughter living in Canada of the photographer Yucho Chow and she worked for several years as his main assistant.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “November 13, 1920, Vancouver. Portrait of Jeu Gong Yick dressed in a suit and tie. The back of the photo is stamped: Yucho Chow Studio. 23 Pender St. W. Vancouver, B.C. November 13, 1920.

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: “C. 1920, Vancouver. Portrait photo of Yucho Chow which has been cropped from a poster he created to commemorate taking his family to China in 1921?”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1920s, Vancouver. Photo, taken from the street, of members and children of Wong Kung Har Tong Benevolent Society. The photo was taken on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the Mun Sing Reading Room.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Late 1910s or early 1920s, Vancouver. Unidentified Chinese family. The woman and child on the left have been superimposed into the photo. Whereas the man and young male were photographed at Yucho Chow Studio. Many early Chinese men living in Canada were separated for decades from their wives and young children. To bridge the distance, it was common to take two photos -- one taken in China, the other in Canada -- and merge them into one image. At last, the family was reunited, if only in a photograph. This photograph was found in the archives of Ming Wo Cookware (once known as Ming Wo Hardware).”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1920s, Vancouver. Full portrait of Bartol (Bert) Sulina, who was born in Vrbnik, Otok Krk, Croatia in 1904. He was 23 years old when he arrived in Canada in 1927. His mother and sister had died earlier of the Spanish Flu pandemic that swept through Europe in 1917. Bartol earned his living working in logging camps and then as a cook on fishing boats. While in Vancouver, he boarded with a Croatian family who lived on Union Street. They came from the same island and mentioned they had a younger sister named Jovana who was still living in Europe. Bartol decided to send for Jovana and in 1937 the coupled married. Bartol passed away at age 53 in 1958. His death certificate indicated he was a fisherman.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1920, Vancouver. Portrait of photographer Yucho Chow wearing a silk jacket.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1920s, Vancouver. Photo of the Hune family. Standing in Back: Left to Right - Tan On also known as Don (m. born 1912); Gun Mee aka Connie (f. 1916); Sun Gim (f. 1913); Dun Wah (m. 1910). Front Row: Left to right: Tan Yu (m. 1920); Chew Shee, mother (born 1881); Gim Pen aka Gloria (f. 1925); Hune Quon, father, (b (1869); Far Right - Tan Chew (m. 1915).”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1920s, Vancouver. Portrait of a Chinese man who surname was Lowe.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1920, Vancouver. Hand painted photo of Jakov & Marija (Prpich) Tomljenovich on their wedding day. Jakov arrived in Canada around 1926. Mary came later and the two married in Canada on May 16, 1929. Yucho Chow took their wedding photo. Over the course of his life, Jack worked in every resource sector: mining, sawmill, fishing, logging. Their greatest aspiration is that their children would get an education. And, indeed, three of their children went on to university.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1920, Vancouver. Full portrait of a young, unidentified Chinese woman wearing cheongsam. Behind her is a chair. The photo was found in the family album belonging to Lew Hoy Moy Sue (also known as Mrs. Ging Lew).”