Transcript of the original interview with Chin Bark See

Office of the Chinese Inspector, New York, NY, February 21, 1922

In the matter of CHIN BARK SEE, Son of a Native.

Q: Describe yourself?

A: I am 21 years old, born KS 26-9-9 in the Chuck Hom Village.

Q: Have you any brothers or sisters?

A: One older brother Bock Lun, 23, born KS 24-1-10 in the Chuck Hom Village, and one younger brother, Bock Fook, born CR 1-2-1.

Q: Did you ever have a sister?

A: No.

Q: What have you been doing in China?

A: Attending school in the Long Yee village, in the Goon Doo ancestral hall, at the head of the village, little over a mile away.

Q: Did your brothers all attend that same school?

A: Yes.

Q: Is your brother Bock Fook going to school?

A: Not yet.

Q: What was the name of your teacher?

A: Yee Dung.

Q: Did your brother have the same teacher?

A: Yes.

Q: Are you married?

A: No.

Q: Is your brother married?

A: Yes, he was married last year, 6th month 1st day to Louie She, no children.

Q: Did you ever have any brother by adoption?

A: No.

Q: Describe your father?

A: Chin Dean Sate, married name Chin Teung Jim.

Q: When did you last see your father?

A: Last year he was home, he was home for two years.

Q: Did he stay at home all the time?

A: Yes.

Q: Describe your paternal grandparents?

A: Chin Leong Tin, died a long time ago. Grandmother's name Lew She, dead.

Q: Has your father any brothers or sisters?

A: One younger brother, Chin Sing, he moved to the Ai Wong Village, SND. Has two boys, Bark Kee, 23, Bar Tai, 6 or 7, one daughter, Yuen Sun, 5.

Q: When did he move from your village?

A: About five years ago.

Q: Describe your mother?

A: Fong She, 46, natural feet, native of the Ong Young Lee Village.

Q: Describe her parents?

A: Fong Qing On, died a long time ago. Mother's name I don't know, she is dead also.

Q: Did your mother have any brothers or sisters?

A: I don't think so.

Q: Describe your village?

A: 12 houses, 3 rows; our house is located in the 1st row 4th house; regular five room house with a large and small door.

Q: Is there a wall around your village?

A: No.

Q: Any ancestral halls in your village or public buildings?

A: No.

Q: Where did you get your drinking water from?

A: A well in front of the village.

Q: Which way does your large door face?

A: East, or the vacant lot.

Q: Who lives opposite your small door?

A: Chin Yah No, single, lives there with his mother, over 20, his father is dead, died a long time ago.

Q: Does anyone else live in that house?

A: No.

Q: Who lives in the 3rd house in your row?

A: Chin Dock, lives there with his mother, father is dead.

Q: Who lives in the 2nd house in your row?

A: Chin Soon Yee, married has one boy, Lung So, over 20.