Contacts are always important in genealogical and family history research. However in Chinese research they are especially important, as most records of interest are in private hands or in distant places.
A significant cultural divide exists, which needs to be carefully bridged. Expectations and interpretations will differ, which require considerable sensitivity to negotiate. Never condescend. Never demand or expect. Never be flippant.
Professor Huang Kunzhang,
Institute of Overseas Chinese Studies,
Jinan University,
Guangzhou,
Guangdong Province,
China.
Professor Huang recently spent his sabbatical at the Australian National University, and has published a scholarly book in Chinese on Chinese emigration to Australia from Guangdong Province. His English is excellent and can correspond in both English, Cantonese and Mandarin. He is very busy, so be specific and patient.
Professor Mei Weiqiang,
Department of Propaganda,
Wuyi University,
Jiangmen City,
Guangdong Province,
China.
Professor Mei is Taishannese and studies overseas Taishanese history on which he has written many scholarly works, all in Chinese. He has no English, so any communication with him must be in Taishanese, Cantonese or Mandarin. He is very busy, so be specific and patient.
Danny Chin is the Asia Area Manager for the Genealogical Society of Utah, which is an off-shoot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), and now lives in Hong Kong. He has kindly agreed to field queries, provided they are specific. That doesn't mean he will do research for you, so don't expect it.
Jimmy Tsang has a share in a genealogical service run out of Taicheng, the capital of Taishan County. He now operates out of the USA, but can still arrange local transport, accommodation, advice, translators and introductions, for a price.
Taishan
Genealogy
Copyright: ©2001-7 Jon Kehrer,
Canberra