AUDIO

Interview with Chung Leen Wong

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Date

21 January 2006 - 21 Jan 2006

By

Wong, Chung Leen, 1913-2015

Reference

OHInt-0804-07

Description

Oral history interview with Chung Leen Wong, born 1914 in Gong Narm, China. Talks about her family background - discusses growing up in China. Recalls her family moving to Guangzhou (Canton) - details her schooling there. Mentions living in Ngar Yeil (Yayao) with her cousin after finishing her schooling. Talks about the custom of arranged marriage - recalls her first meeting with her future husband. Discusses her father's reaction to her moving to New Zealand with her husband. Mentions her husband's work at the Wong Lowe Company in Wellington with Lowe Gum Chen, Wong Pang Gway and Wong Gar Soon. Recalls the Japanese invasion of China.

Details her arrival in New Zealand in 1940 - talks about their initial accomodation with the Gee Chu family. Discusses the decision to leave the Wong Lowe partnership and start up with Moy Fong Gee. Recalls her first experiences working in a shop. Recalls the market shop and house they purchased in Miramar - discusses how the business was run. Details how she taught herself English. Discusses the adoption of their daughter and son - talks about how she juggled running the shop with being a mother. Refers to the death of her husband - discusses her decision to sell their shop. Talks about working in a handkercheif factory and the Bond's Hoisery Factory. Discusses becoming a Christian - gives advice for future generations.

Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian

Interviewer(s) - Kitty Chang

Accompanying material - 2 colour photographs, 12 x 9 cm, January 2006, copies of 5 photographs taken around 1952; biographical information relating to Chung Leen Wong.

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014742, OHC-014743

Quantity: 2 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.49 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5337.

2 colour photographs, 12 x 9 cm, of Chung Leen Wong, January 2006; Copies of 5 photographs of Chung Leen Wong and her family, taken around 1952.

Search dates: 1914 - 2006

Additional description

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-008555 - OHLC-008556

Use/Reproduction

Public use requires the written permission of the interviewee's daughter and may require the written permission of the copyright holder Copyright: Copyright is held by Kitty Chang

Access restrictions

Partly restricted material

Part of

Oral history of Chinese women in New Zealand

Format

2 C90 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 1.49 Hours and minutes Duration, Oral histories, Illustration: 2 colour photographs, 12 x 9 cm, of Chung Leen Wong, January 2006; Copies of 5 photographs of Chung Leen Wong and her family, taken around 1952.

There are 3 items in total.

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