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Archiver > AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS > 1999-02 > 0919812145


From: "Tony Thio" <>
Subject: Re: Chinese golddiggers
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 10:22:25 +1100


Hi Richard and List,
The Bendigo Chinese Association is a very strong organisation and would be a
good starting point. The Golden Dragon Museum, located in Bridge Street,
Bendigo - (I'm not sure of this phone number, but you could try it - 03
5441 5044) has many photographs etc. of Chinese pioneers.
Researching in this area can be quite difficult. Translating Chinese names
into English allowed for wild variations of spelling. Also, Chinese
surnames are given first e.g. Chan Kim Ho. The surname is CHAN and the
given name Kim Ho. In Australia, what happened quite often is that this
poor chap would then be called Mr. Ho. Without enough English to correct
this mistake, and answering if someone called him Ho, it would stick. And
his wife would become Mrs. Ho and his children little Ho's - completely
upside down but already changed. I know for a fact that this happened.

Also the Chinese sections of cemeteries were often not treated with the same
respect given to others in our communities. Being "heathen" I suspect. I
know of a case in Bendigo where Chinese headstones were used as paving in a
private house. And only 4 or 5 years ago the powers-that-be were talking
about bulldozing the Chinese section at the Bairnsdale cemetery. They
apparently "didn't think anyone would care". Ha!

My husband is Chinese, but a recent arrival, not a pioneer, so I'm not
researching in this area. Hope this helps a little.

Regards,
JILL THIO - Bairnsdale, Vic.
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Pulley <>
To: <>
Date: Tuesday, 23 February 1999 9:43
Subject: Chinese golddiggers

>Hi! Could anyone tell me if there's any information available
>regarding Chinese who were in the goldfields in Victoria. Were
>any lists drawn up which might contain their names? Many thanks,
>
>Richard
>
>______________________________

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