"Lee Why Pack", San Tong's Paper Identity

My grandfather immigrated to the United States as the son of a merchant in 1918 using his real name,  Jew Sun Tong, at the age of 13 and held a valid certificate of identity. Recently my Auntie Soo-Jan shared with me a curious identity certificate she found amongst my grandfather's papers.  It was a certificate of identity with my grandfather's picture but with a different name, " Lee Why Pack",  who was admitted  in July 25, of 1912 at the age of 14 as the " son of a native".  This certificate is a duplicate certificate issued in Washington D.C.  on March 25th, 1926.  This  certificate with my grandfather's picture but with a false identity certifies him as the son of a native born  American and thus a citizen of the United States.

Here is a picture of this  identity card as well as  a picture of  the rear of the certificate. (Click on pictures to enlarge)

Here is a copy of my grandfather's real certificate of identity issued to him after the family was admitted through Angel Island in 1918. Note that both the real and false identity certificates state that the recipient has pit above the right eyebrow.

Racist immigration laws during this period of time required that all ethnic Chinese in America whether citizen or legal immigrant  carry a valid certificate of identity to prove that they were legal residents of the United States.  My grandfather was a legal immigrant and carried a valid certificate of identity in his own name. Why did he also have a false identity certificate?  Did he actually use this identity?  If he did use this identity, how long did  he use it and why  did he stop using it ? In this post I will attempt to provide the answers.

At the time of the 1930 Census my grandfather , his wife Rose, and my father Jack were living at 841 East Adams Street in Los Angeles.  In this 1930 census  my grandfather uses his paper identity of "Lee, Why Pack.". Here is a picture of the 1930 Census information concerning my  grandfather's family.

According to my grandfather's paper identity, he should be 30 years old and not 25 ( his real age) and thus he uses that age on the census. He states that he was born in China. ( His paper identity says he was the son of an American citizen  and thus an American citizen himself  even though he was born in China.). His wife Rose is identified by a Chinese name " Hom Yok" (I am not sure if this was her real Chinese name). Her actual age is  used  (21 years old).   My father is identified as " Jue Jack"  first name, and  " Lee" last name. He is 1 year and 4 months old at the time of the census. My grandfather's occupation is "Produce trucking",  and his employer is" own fruit market."

On my father's birth certificate ( he was born in 1928) , the name listed is  Jue Jack Lee.
My aunt Joan , who was born just after the 1930 census was taken in September of 1930, has her name listed  as Jue Joan Lee on her birth certificate. 
My father and aunt have in their possession their real birth certificates. Interestingly , my Auntie Soo-Jan was able to locate bogus birth certificates amongst my grandfather's papers  for my Dad and my Auntie Joan which list their father as Why Pack Lee. There are some discrepancies in these birth certificates as to the name of the mother , and occupation of the father and there are no real physician signatures on them .

Here is my father's bogus birth certificate:

Here is my Auntie Joan's bogus birth certificate.

By 1937 when my grandfather travels to China to remarry after my grandmother  Rose's death, he is using  his real name as San Tong Jue on immigration documents. In the1940 census he uses his real name and all family members are listed  using their real names. Jue and not Lee is the surname used on all legal documents.

My grandfather explained later to both  my father and my Auntie Joan  that  their birth certificates had the  "Lee" name on them as well as the Jue name so that they could use either name as their  American surname depending on whether  my grandfather ultimately used Jue or Lee as his surname. Americans were aware of the Chinese practice of putting surnames first on legal documents as opposed to the American practice of listing surnames last.  Thus, depending on  which surname my grandfather ultimately used,  a birth certifcate written as Jue Jack Lee and Jue Joan Lee could be interpreted as meaning : first names:  "Jue Jack" and "Jue Joan"  and last name  " Lee".  or  alternately  first and middle names  "Jack Lee"  and "Joan Lee" and last name "Jue".  My grandfather explained to my father and my aunt that using the Lee name as a paper identity for him was arranged by Jue Joe as a potential means of  circumventing the California Alien Land Laws that at the time prevented Chinese born abroad from ever owning land.  The plan was ultimately abandoned as too risky and never actually carried out and my grandfather resumed using his real name.

The story of  Jue Joe's attempts at insuring that real estate purchased by him could be legally owned by the family during the time of the Alien Land laws is fascinating and the decisions made had huge repercussions for the  ultimate history of our extended family. I have discussed much of this in previous posts but  I will discuss some of the material again primarily as it applies to the story of my grandfather's paper identity.
The California Alien Land Law of 1913 prohibited "aliens ineligible for citizenship" (i.e., all Asian immigrants) from owning land or property, but permitted three year leases. It affected the Chinese, Indian, Japanese, and Korean immigrant farmers in California. Jue Joe and his two sons including my grandfather, San Tong, were born in China and under Exclusion era laws permanently ineligible for citizenship and unable to legally own land.  A common means of  circumventing this  prohibition against owning land was to buy land in the name of  American born children of immigrants who were by birth US citizens and eligible to own land. Immigrants or others could be appointed as guardians of the property owned by these minor children until they became of age. However, California law placed the burden of proof in these arrangements on the guardians that this was not an attempt to circumvent the Calfornia Alien Land Law and allow Asian immigrants born abroad to purchase and own land. If it was determined that such was the case, the land could be confiscated by the State of California. Much more detail about the California  Alien Land Law and it's effect on the Jue Family can be found here.

In 1919 about one year after his family immigrated from China, Jue Joe and Leong Shee had an American born daughter, Corrine.  That same year Jue Joe purchased land in Van Nuys  with the help of  his good friend Otto Brant, president of the Title Insurance  and Trust Company. Rather than purchasing land directly in the name of Corrine with him or Otto as designated guardian, Jue Joe and his friend Otto agreed on a different plan.
"With the help of his friend, O. F. Brant of the Title Insurance and Trust Company, Jue Joe bought Lot 690 from one Anderson in 1919, the year of Corinne's birth. Deed dated October 29, 1919, conveyed title in trust to Title Insurance and Trust Company, subject to Anderson's trust deed to Title Guarantee and Trust Company securing Anderson's indebtedness of $18,000. The declaration of trust dated November 1, 1919, recites that no part of the consideration was paid by Title Insurance and Trust Company and certifies that said property is held by it in trust for O. F. Brant, beneficiary. The specified purpose of the trust is to convey "upon written demand" to said "O. F. Brant or order." An assignment of beneficial interest to Corinne (referred to therein by her Chinese name "Ah How Jew"), was  signed by O. F. Brant and Sue E. Brant,on November 7, 1919." This document was signed shortly after the trust was created. This was an " informal and unrecorded assignment of beneficial interest to Corinne" and legally the beneficiary of the trust remained O.F. Brant.
Unfortunately,  Otto Brant died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1922.
In 1926 Jue Joe arranged for the purchase of paper identity for his son San Tong as "Lee Why Pack"  , an American citizen. Why was this done?
My own theory is that Jue Joe after the death of his long time friend , Otto Brant ,  began thinking about other ways to have legal ownership and control of his lands rather then to keep the land in a trust with the Otto Brant estate designated as the legal owner. Although the property was supposed to be conveyed to Corrine, his American born daughter when she reached maturity, and thus legally owned by the family at that time,  perhaps there was another way to immediately have direct legal ownership of the land. If  Jue Joe arranged for his second son to assume the paper identity of " Lee Why Pack" , an American citizen, then Jue Joe's property could be conveyed by the Brant estate outright to "Lee Why Pack" and the family would have immediate control and ownership of the land. The informal and unrecorded note assigning beneficial interest of the trust to Corrine,minor child, could be cancelled by Jue Joe as Corrine's guardian.

Also, the paper identity would allow  "Lee Why Pack" , an American citizen, to purchase additional lands for Jue Joe directly and without the need to purchase land through non family intermediaries.
As we have seen , this scheme was well underway at the time of the 1930 census with my grandfather establishing this false identity for him and his family. Soon after the  time of the 1930 census the scheme was abandoned by Jue Joe and my grandfather, San Tong, as too dangerous and fraught with serious risks of discovery.  If the subtrefuge was discovered by officials and interpreted as a way of getting around the alien land law , all the Jue Joe property would be in danger of being confiscated by the state! My grandfather resumed using his real name and the paper identity was abandoned and never used in real estate transactions or other documents ever again.

Edited 8/31/2012  I have been able to obtain the original immigration files of "Lee Why Pack" and some other documents with respect to my grandfather's paper identity. ( Click on documents to enlarge and review)
Lee Why Pack and his father Lee Shew immigrated through San Francisco on July 28th 1912.
Lee Shew alleged he was an American born citizen who had travelled back and forth to China three times and was finally returning with his two sons who had been born over seas. Documentation of his American birth in San Francisco is sketchy and there is no picture documentation but he is admitted anyway. His son Lee Why Pack having been born of an American citizen abroad is by American law an American citizen by birth.   Lee Why Pack  has an identifying mark of a pit above his right eyebrow.
Here is Lee Why Pack's and Lee Shew's sworn statement concerning their citizenship status with pictures.

Lee Shew and his two sons are admitted to the United States as citizens in 1912.
It is unknown what happened to the original  "Lee Why Pack ",  but after being admitted in 1912 there is no further record of him . Did he die?  Was "Lee Why Pack " a paper identity that  the young man stopped using once he was admitted ?
In any event,  when  Jue Joe and San Tong Jue began looking for an American citizen paper identity to assume , they were apparently told that the identity of " Lee Why Pack" was available and for sale.  This person was about 6 years older then my grandfather but age was close enough and he also had an identifying mark of a pit above his right eyebrow as did my grandfather ( see my grandfather's true identity card as a young boy earlier in this post).

In  December of 1925, my grandfather posing as "Lee Why Pack" travels to Walla, Walla , Washington state and applies for a duplicate certificate of identity (Form 430)  , claiming to have lost his original identity certificate . Why Walla, Walla? Did the original "Lee Why Pack" live there at one time or was there some other reason for Walla Walla?
The immigrant investigator in charge writes to the San Franciso office requesting the original immigration file to verify his  claim.
" A Chinese named Lee Why Pack has filed application for return certificate as a citizen with this office. He claims to have been admitted  at your port on August 15,1912 from the SS" Siberia", and to have been given certificate of identity  #8344, as the son of an American born citizen, but to have lost said certificate of  identity. To assist in the pending investigation, kindly have your  records searched for landing of this Chinese , and if  found, forward same to this office."

The inspector completes his investigation and forwards his findings and the files back to the main office in Seattle, apparently verifying that my grandfather is indeed "Lee Why Pack" and an American citizen. ( Unfortunately the  transcript of the investigation and testimony of my grandfather in Walla ,Walla  has not been archived and is not available) .

The Seattle commissioner approves the application for the certificate on January 6th , and returns the original immigration file to San Francisco

Interestingly , my grandfather after having his application for a return identity certificate approved, travels to Vancouver Canada from Walla ,Walla . I have no idea what the reason for that trip was.  He carries with him his "Form 430" application for a return identity certificate verifying he is a US Citizen although he has not yet received his official duplicate identity certificate.  From Vancouver he travels back to Seattle aboard the S.S. Princess Victoria and  arrives in Seattle on January 21, 1926.  Strict immigration laws then in effect require verification of  the legal status of any Chinese returning to the United States from Canada.  He is listed  on the ship's manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States as a US citizen carrying a Form 430 application for a duplicate identity certificate in lieu of an actual certificate.   Although born in China, he is listed as a US citizen and a resident of Walla , Walla Washington to which he is returning. His occupation is " Merchant"   He is  listed as 27 years old.
Here is the Seattle ship manifest of his arrival in Seattle:

In March, my grandfather gets his bogus duplicate identity card as "Lee Why Pack ".

The complicated ruse has been successful. Here is the  March 26th, 1926 letter verifying that the duplicate certificate of identity has been issued.

Interestingly by  1930, the Immigration service has begun to suspect that "Lee Why Pack" and his father  " Lee Shew" and  some 37 other Lee family members have all  immigrated fraudulently and claimed all to be from the same village which was in fact a fictious village.  There is a letter in the front of  "Lee Why Pack's " San Francisco immigration file that should he or any other persons listed come before the immigration service again they should be questioned.  I wonder if my grandfather and great grandfather got wind of the fact that the immigration service was suspecting that " Lee Why Pack " was in fact a paper identity and for that reason my grandfather stopped using that identity?  What is clear  is that shortly after 1930 , my grandfather no longer used his  paper identity and resumed using his real identity of San Tong Jue.

Post Script:
The strange story of my grandfather's  paper identity is an interesting example of the complicated ways in which Chinese during the exclusion era circumvented strict immigration regulations. What is interesting in  our family's case was that the paper identity that was obtained was not used to effect entry into the United States but rather used in an attempt to claim citizenship status for my grandfather in order circumvent the discriminatory California Alien Land Law which barred Chinese born abroad from owning land.
If you are interested in learning more about this period , Estelle Lau's book " Paper Identities" is an excellent source of  information about how the racist immigration laws  and policies of the Chinese Exclusion Era shaped an increasingly sophisticated Chinese community response to circumvent the laws and also how these laws also shaped the Immigration service itself that was charged with enforcing them.

Immigration Service Decision- Jue Family on Angel Island 1918

In previous posts, I have given an overview of the immigration process for the Jue family on Angel Island in 1918.  Transcripts of the investigation of Jue Joe's status as a merchant,  testimony  of Jue Joe, Lee Bing, Leong Shee , Sun Yeaw, and Sun Tong as well as their reexamination interviews have been presented in this blog. After all the testimony was given , a decision was made to allow the family to land. After 12 long years wife and sons were finally able to reunite with Jue Joe.  A  few words about our family name: In original immigration documents the family Chinese  surname is always translated into English as Jew. Shortly after the family is allowed entry from Angel Island, Jew Joe changes the English version of the family name to Jue and he refers to himself as Jue Joe thereafter. In a Los Angeles Times article later in 1918 about the reunification of his family the family surname is Jue.
The Angel Island detention and investigation of the Jue family was relatively swift compared to some Chinese detainees who were kept on the island much longer.  The Jue family arrived on Angel Island on April 24,1918 and were admitted to the United States on May 2, 1918, after a 9 day period of detention and investigation.

U.S. Department of Labor
Immigration Service
May 1st 1918

Commissioner of Immigration,
Thru Inspector in Charge, Chinese Division,
Angel Island, California.

In re:
17119/10-2, Leong Shee, wife of Mer.
17119/10-3 ,Jew Sun Yeaw, Son of Mer.
17119/10-4, Jew Sun Tong, Son of Mer.

Ex. SS Columbia  , April 24 , 1918

The alleged husband of applicant 10-2 and father of applicants 10-3 and 10-4  is the holder of a certificate of residence which shows his lawful residence. He has made one trip to China from 1902 to 1906, during which period his marriage to applicant 10-2 and the births of applicant 10-3 and 10-4 took place. The alleged father's mercantile status has been investigated by the Los Angeles office and is favorably reported upon by Inspector Brazie, of our Los Angeles office.

The evidence regarding the alleged relationship consists of the testimony of the alleged father, and the three applicants, and one identifying witness named Lee Bing. A comparison of the testimony of the alleged father, mother and two boys reveals no discrepancies which I consider of any significance.

The identifying witness states that the home of the applicants is the first house in the fourth row, and that it is one of the front houses in the village, whereas all the other witnesses agree that their home is the fourth house fourth row.

The identifying witness states that he took $50 from the alleged father to his family in China on each of the two occasions when he visited their home, namely on the last two trips, the first time from 1906 to 1907, and the second time from 1914 to 1915.  Reference to the record of his return in 1915 shows that he was then asked if he had taken any money, letters or anything else from the United States  to anyone in China and he answered : "$50 to Lee Lock's family" and that he did not mention taking any money to anyone else.

The identifying witness states that he visited the home of the applicants on only two occasions , once on his last trip and once on a previous trip.  All three applicants state consistently that the  identifying witness visited their home two or three times on each of the two trips.

I have noted a good family resemblance between the alleged father and applicant 10-3 and a fair family resemblance between alleged father and applicant 10-4. The appearance of the family as a whole is very satisfactory as also was their demeanor throughout the examination.

In view of the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the testimony of the identifying witness is entitled to acceptance as truthful. Notwithstanding this fact, I am of the opinion that the testimony of the four members of this family is so circumstantial and in such close agreement that it must be held that their alleged relationship to one another is established.

Landing of all three applicants is recommended.

signed,
J.B. Sawyer
Immigrant Inspector.

Reexamination Interviews-Jue Family Angel Island 1918

In previous posts, I have provided an overview of the Angel Island investigation of the Jue Family in 1918.  Other posts have provided transcripts of the initial testimony of Jew Joe, Lee Bing (identifying witness), Leong Shee , Sun Yew, and Sun Tong.
The re-examination phase of an Angel Island Immigration investigation was often quite intimidating for applicants for entry .  During this phase, inconsistencies between testimonies between alleged family members were highlighted and the applicants were aggressively questioned.  Note the aggressive manner  the inspector grills Jew Joe about his lack of knowledge about the families of his brother Jew Shee and his nephew Jew Mun Jew. P.S. The son of Jew Mun Jew discussed in this interview, Chan Lum, later emigrated to the United States as a "paper son." The immigration was arranged by Jew Joe. Chan Lum was known as "Loon" and was the father of my cousins  Jimmy and Ming Loon.


UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION SERVICE
CHINESE DIVISION
ANGEL ISLAND, CAL MAY 1ST , 1918

17119/10-2, Leong Shee, Wife of Mer.
17119/10-3, Jew Sun Yeaw, Son of Mer.
17119/10-4, Jew Sun Tong, Son of Mer.
Ex  SS "Columbia", April 24, 1918

Inspr: J.B. Sawyer
Inspr: Mr. Wisner
Steno: D. Clement

Reexamination of Applicant 10-3, Sworn and admonished, Speaks See Yip dialect, Intpr. Qualifies.

 Q What is your name ?
A Jew Sun Yeaw.
Q  Do you identify these photographs (showing photographs on identification papers in present case) ?
A I don't know this one ( indicating  photo of manager).  This is my father Jew Joe, this is my mother and myself, my  younger brother, and Lee Bing , my uncle. ( Identification correct).
Q How long have you known Lee Bing?
A  About  three years.
Q Where did  you first meet him?
A In the Dai Hong Lee village of the Sam Gong section, Sun Wuey District.
Q Tell me the circumstances under which you have known him?
A He came to visit our place.
Q Did you ever see him anywhere else than at your home village?
A No. no other place, but I saw him once when I was small at home.
Q How many times have you seen him in all ?
A  Five or six times I should say.
Q You say that you saw him when you were small.  Do you remember anything about that visit?
A Yes.
Q How old were you at that time?
A No , I don't remember , I was only one or two years old.
Q When was the first time that you remember him coming to your home?
A In KS 32 (1906)
Q How old were you then?
A Two or three years old .
Q How can you remember that visit if you were only two or three years old?
A Yes , I can remember.
Q When was the next time that he visited your home?
A In CR 3(1914)
Q When he came to your house in KS 32 (1906) was he in China on a visit or had he never been away from China?
A He had been to America and returned to China.
Q How many times did he visit your home on the trip he made to China at that time?
A Two or three times.
Q When he visited your home in CR 3 , was he also on a trip from the U.S.A.
A Yes.
Q How many visits did he make to your home on that trip?
A Two or three times.
Q Has he made any other trips to China that you remember besides the one in KS32 and  CR 3?
A I only know of these two trips.
Q What was the purpose of his visits  to your home on this last trip?
A Just the visit , as far as I know.
Q Did you ever know him to bring anything to your home?
A I don't know of anything of that sort.
Q Did you ever hear that he had brought any money or letter or gift from your father in the United States?
A No.
Q Do you remember regarding any of his visits, how long he stayed and whether he took any meals at your home and whether he spent any nights at your home ?
A Yes , he ate rice and stayed all night .
Q Have you anything further to state .
A No
Q Have you understood the interpreter?
A Yes ( thru Ins. Sawyer)

signed in Chinese

Re-examination of Applicant 10-4 ,Sworn and admonished
Interpreter H.K. Tang, qualifies. Applicant speaks See Yip, Sun Wuey District dialect.

Q What is your name?
A Jew Sun Tong
Q  Did you identify a photograph of Lee Bing yesterday?
A Yes
Q How long have you known that man?
A I saw him three years ago.
Q Where is he now?
A Now in Los Angeles, Cal.
Q Had he been in the United States before you saw him three years ago?
A Yes.
Q How long was he in China on that trip when you saw him three years ago?
A I don't know how long he stayed in China that time but he had been in our house two or three times.
Q Do you mean that he visited your home three times on  his trip to China about three years ago?
A Two or three times .
Q What was the purpose of those visits?
A He came to visit us because he is a relative of ours by marriage.
Q  Did he bring any letter,money or gifts or anything to your home?
A I don't know because I was at school.  I just saw him there when he came.
Q Did he take any meals at your home or stay over night at that time.
A Yes he ate with us and stayed over night.
Q Do you remember whether he was ever in China earlier than that trip that have told me about ?
A Yes.
Q How old were you then?
A I was only a small boy but I cannot remember how old I was , my mother told me that he had been there.
Q Have you anything further to state?
A No .
Q Have you understood the interpreter?
A Yes (Thru Ins .Sawyer).

signed in Chinese

Reexamination of Alleged Father
Sworn and Admonished, Speaks See Yip Dialect
Intpr. Pon Fang., qualifies
(Statement taken in presence of Acting Inspector in Charge, Lorensen).
[transcription note .. in the original document the inspector incorrectly refers to Jew See as Jew Joe's aka Jew Soong's uncle,  and Jew Mun Jew as his uncle as well, I have changed the transcribed interview to read "brother" and "nephew" so that the testimony makes more sense ]
Q What is your name?
A Jew Soong.
Q Do you remember testifying that your brother Jew See has no family so far as you know?
A When I was in China he was here.
Q Do you remember testifying yesterday that he had no family so far as you know?
A When  I was home he wasn't married but he was over here.
(Acting Inspector in Charge,  Lorenson is called from the room).
Q I want you to tell me frankly all that you about your brother, Jew See's marriage and his family?
A As far as I know  my son sent me a letter telling me that uncle came back from Paris and got married.
Q Was that his first marriage  or had he been married before that?
A  The first marriage
Q You are sure he never had two wives?
A I don't know whether he has one or two but I know he has one.
(Acting Inspector in Charge Lorenson returns).
Q It is important that you should tell me all that you know about this brother's family affairs and if he has been married twice you should tell me about his first marriage and his children by either wife?
A We have been parted over ten years and as far as I know he has married only once, maybe he has married other places, I know know, and if he has any children I  don't know.
Q Your alleged wife and your two alleged sons have given me full particulars regarding the family of your brother Jew See , and as this family live in your house in China it seems reasonable to expect you to be familiar with the family.  Are you sure that you have been perfectly frank with me and have told me all you know about Jew See's family?
A I left China over ten years ago and as far as I know I only know thru letters from my wife and children, they state that uncle came back and got married and that is all I know of his family.
Q Is it possible that your brother, Jew See, had a son several years old in China at the time you were last at home in China?
A No.
Q When you testified yesterday  you also stated that your nephewJew Mun Jew never had any children so far as you knew. Is that right?
A I stated that he had children.
Q Tell me all you know about his family.
A When I was home he had one son and after that I don't know whether he had any more .
Q Did he have any daughter at that time?
A No.
Q What was the son's name?
A Jew Chun Lam.
Q How old was he at that time?
A Two or three years old when I was home.
Q Yesterday you said that your nephew, Jew Mun Jew, never had any children so far as you knew.  Today you recall one son ,don't you think that if you think carefully that you can remember some other children in his family?
A I stated yesterday that he has one son but any more  or not I don't know.
Q Your alleged wife and your two sons have all testified to facts regarding Jew See's family and Jew Mun Jew's family, which you have not told me, and which you certainly would be in a position to know about.  Are you sure that you have nothing further to say about this?
A Jew See has been living in the U.S. all the time, but my wife knows about his family. I only know from their letter telling me that he went back and got married.
Q As I said before, your family have given me information with which you should reasonably be familiar regarding the family of Jew See and Jew Mun Jew. Are you certain that you have nothing to add to your statement?
A No nothing to add.
Q  Have you ever heard of Jew Tuey Sew?
A No.
Q Have you ever heard of Jew Sin Nam?
A No
Q Have you ever heard of Jew Ah Gum?
A No.
Q Have you anything further to state?
A No.
Q Have you understood the interpreter.
A Yes ( In English)

signed in Chinese characters.

Re-examination of alleged wife, sworn and admonished,
Speaks See Yip Dialect, Interpreter H.K. Tang , qualifies
(Statement taken in the presence of Acting Inspector in Charge, Lorensen)

Q What is your name?
A Leong Shee,  or  Leong Ah Ho.
Q You testified yesterday that  Jew Mun Jew has one son and two daughters. Is that right ?
A Yes, two daughters and one son.
Q And you stated that your husband knew the two oldest.  Is that right ?
A Yes , one son and one daughter.
Q What are the names of the two your husband knew?
A Jew Chun Lam  and the daughter Jew Ah Gum.
Q How old were they when your husband was last in China?
A  They were only  small children. Ah Gum  was about three and Chun Lam about two.
Q You testified yesterday that Jew See had one son  , Jew Sin Nam , now 16 or 17 years old . Is that right?
A Yes.
Q How old was Jew Sin Nam when your husband was last in China?
A I don't know, my husband never knew this boy, the boy was brought from  somewhere else.
Q Do you mean that he was not a natural  son?
A I don't know, but his father, Ah See, said that Sin Nam was his own son that he brought home  from a distant land.
Q Did you ever see Jew Sin Nam's mother?
A No.
Q Do you know if  Jew Sin Nam's mother was in a distant land?
A Yes.
Q Do you know if she was ever in China?
A No , she lived in a foreign country.
Q Have you anything further to state?
A No
Q Have you understood the  interpreter?
A Yes (thru Ins . Sawyer).

signed with an X  by English name.

Immigration Interview Sun Tong/Jue Family on Angel Island 1918

Jue San Tong was my paternal grandfather. (His Chinese name is spelled Jew SunTeong in this interview) . Although he seems like a very cool headed 13 year old boy in this transcribed interview, my grandfather always remembered the Angel Island interrogation as very frightening when asked about this experience later in life!

Statement of Applicant 10-4    Interpreter  Pon Fang.
Sworn
Speaks See Yip, Interpreter qualified.
Admonished if you do not understand the interpreter to immediately so state.

Q What is your name?
A Jew Sun Teong.
Q How old are you ?
A 13 years.
Q Date of birth?
A K.S. 31-7-17 (Aug. 17, 1905)
Q What is your father's name?
A Jew Joe, Jew Soong.  I only know  two names.
Q How old is he ?
A 62.
Q Did you ever see your father?
A I saw him when I was a little boy and we have a big picture of him at the home.
Q What is your mother's name?
A  Leong Shee.
Q  How old is she?
A 35
Q Any  brothers or sisters?
A Have one brother, no sisters.
Q  Give the name , age and date of birth of your brother?
A Jew Sun Yew. 15 years.  I  don't know date of birth.
Q Did you are ever see your paternal grandfathers?
A No , neither of them. They died a long time ago.
Q Did your father have any brothers or sisters?
A Yes, four brothers including my father and one sister.
Q How many of those are living?
A Two living and two dead.
Q What are the names of the two living?
A Jew See and my father.
Q Where is Jew See living?
A Living in Sam Goong, Dai Hai Lee.
Q In what house?
A The same house with us.
Q What is the location  of your house?
A 4th row 4th house.
Q Has Jew See a family?
A Yes.
Q Is his wife living?
A Yes.
Q How many children has she?
A One boy and one girl.
Q What  are their names and ages?
A Jew Sin Nam, 14 years or 15. Jew Mun Sui, 3 or 4 years old.
Q Did they all live in your house?
A Yes.
Q Do you know Jew Mun Jew?
A Yes, my uncle's son.
Q Which uncle's son?
A My oldest uncle's son.
Q Where does Jew Mun Jew live?
A Not far from our house.
Q Same row with your house.
A No , not on the same row.
Q Toward the tail of the village?
A  Near the tail of the village.
Q Do you know Jew Fook?
A Yes.
Q How is he related to you?
A He is the son of my  4th uncle.
Q Where does he live?
A He lives with us and sleeps with the boys outside.
Q Does Jew Mun Jew have a family?
A He has a son but his wife died.
Q What is the son's name?
A Chu Lam
Q What is his age?
A About my size.
Q  Doesn't Chin Lan have a brother or sister?
A He has an older sister and younger sister, but no brother.
Q  When did Jew Mun Jew's wife die?
A She died 3 or 4 years ago.
Q Did Jew Fook ever sleep in a house near you?
A Yes , a long time ago.
Q Where was that house located?
A  The 4th house on the 4th row.
Q That is the same location given for your house, isn't it?
A Yes.
Q What part of the house does he sleep in?
A On the lower part of the house.
Q What do you mean by the lower part of the house?
A It was in a small house right close to our house, but  when his mother died he came to sleep in our house.
Q Did that small house touch your house?
A  Yes, close together.
Q On which side of your house was it?
A On the west side.
Q Is there any alley that runs between that house and the small house.
A No.
Q Do you identify these photographs ( applicant shown photographs in the present case)?
A  My father,  I don't know this man ( indicating manager of alleged father's firm).
My mother, my brother , myself and Lee Bing.  Identifcation of all photographs correct.
Q Have you anything  further to state?
A No.
Q Have you understood the Interpreter (by Inspector Sawyer in Chinese)?
A Yes.

Inspector's note-  The three applicants and the alleged father are brought into my presence and a careful comparison is made for resemblance.  In my opinion, applicant 10-3 bears a close family resemblance to the father and in my opinion applicant 10-4 bears some family resemblance to his alleged father although not as distinctly a resemblance as borne by the applicant 10-3.  In my opinion  the two boys  bear a good general appearance to one another.  I see no special resemblance between the alleged mother and two boys.  In my opinion, the appearance of the family in a whole is satisfactory and there is nothing to suggest that either boy is an outsider.

May 2, 1918.

Immigration Interview of Sun Yew/ Jue Family on Angel Island 1918

Both the sons of Jew Joe did an excellent job in their immigration interviews. Despite their young age and being interviewed by strange foreign men in an intimidating setting they remained cool and collected and did their father proud!  Here is a picture of a typical Angel Island Immigration interview that illustrates what these boys needed to face.

Here is a picture of my great uncle, Sun Yeaw (San You) on Angel Island.

Statement of Applicant 10-3    Interpreter Louie Fon.
Sworn
Speaks See Yip dialect, Interpreter qualifed.
Admonished, if  you do not understand the interpreter to immediately so state.

Q What is your name ?
A Sun Yew.
Q No other names?
A No other.
Q How old are you ?
A 15 years ( Inspector's note, Applicant appears to  be about the age claimed.)
Q Date of birth?
A  K.S. 29 ( October 1903) Sam Goong village, Dai Hai Gong.
Q What is your father's name?
A Jew Soong and Jew Pan Joong.
Q Where is your father?
A He is now in Los Angeles?
Q How old is he ?
A 62
Q When did you see him last?
A When I was about 2 years old.
Q What is your mother's name?
A Leong Shee.
Q How old is she?
A 35, natural feet.
Q Of what village is she a native?
A Ma Choong village, S.W. district.
Q Have you any brothers or sisters?
A One brother, no sister
Q Give me the name and date of birth of your brother?
A Jew Sun Teong (Choong). 13 years, born K.S.32(1906) 7-17.
Q Are you sure of the year?
A No , I am not sure , it is  K.S. 31 or 32.
Q How much younger is he than you?
A I am two years older than he.
Q Therefore he must have been  born in K.S.31 not in  K.S. 32.
     Inspector's note, the date of birth is Aug .17, 1905.
Q What is your paternal granfather's name?
A Jew Leung Kow.  He is dead.
Q Have you ever seen him?
A No
Q What is your paternal grandmother's name?
A  Lee Shee.
Q She living?
A No.
Q Ever seen her?
A  No. she is dead.
Q Has your father any brothers or sisters?
A  Three brothers and one sister.
Q  Name of your father's oldest brother?
A  He had an older brother that died many years ago, I never saw him.
Q Did he have any children?
A One son
Q What is  his name?
A  Jew Jeung.
Q Did  he have another name?
A Jew Mun Jew, he is married.
Q Has he any children?
A Three brothers and one sister.
Q What are their names and ages?
A  Jew Shun Lam about 14 years . Ah Gum , don't know her age, she is married. Tuey Sew, about so big,  indicating with his hand, about 3 ft. high 
Q Name of your father's next brother?
A  Jew See, 51 or 52 years.
Q Where is he?
A At home in China.
Q Does he have any children?
A  One boy and one girl.
Q What are their names and ages?
A Jew Sin Nam 17 years.   Jew Mun Sui , a baby.
Q What is the name of your father's next brother?
A He is dead, I don't know his name . I never saw him.
Q Did he have any children?
A Son.
Q What is his name?
A Jew Fook . He is older than myself but I don't know his age and he is now at home.
Q What is your father's sister's name?
A  I don't know her name.  She is married.
Q She is living?
A She is living.
Q Where is she?
A Nam Loong, S.W. District
Q What is the location of your house in  your village?
A 4th house 4th row from the head of the village.
Q Where does Jew Jeung alias Jew Mun Jew live?
A Lives in the same village.
Q Do they live in your row?
A No.
Q Toward the head or tail of your house?
A Toward the head.
Q First row in the head of the village.
A I can't say which row.
Q You don't know  which row in the village?
A I can't say  whetheer he lived in the 1st row or not.
Q Where did Jew See and his family live?
A Live in our house.
Q Which side of the house?
A They live in the right  hand side of the house.
Q Where does Jew Fook live?
A He takes his meals at our house but sleeps anywhere, sometimes Ancestral hall and sometimes in club rooms.
Q Did he ever live in  your house?
A  No.
Q Did he ever live near your house ?
A Yes, he lives in a little house directly from my house.
Q Does it touch your house?
A  No.
Q How much space divides them?
A About as far as  that corner to that corner ( indicating distance of 12 feet).
Q Is it across the alley from your house?
A Yes.
Q Have you anything further to state?
A No.
Q Have you understood the Interpreter( thru Inspector Sawyer in Chinese).
A Yes.

Immigration Interview of Leong Shee/Jue Family on Angel Island 1918

My paternal great grandmother, Leong Shee, has raised her two boys all by herself for the last 12 years. She has not seen her husband for 12 long years. Finally, he has sent for her and the boys, but first she must past this interview given by strange foreigners in a foreign land.
Note in this testimony Jew Joe's brother, Jew See, is called  Jew Ah Sui by Leong Shee.

Statement of Applicant 10-2
Interpeter: Harry K. Tang
Sworn
Speaks See Yip dialect, Interpreter qualified.
Admonished if you do not understand the Interpreter to immediately so state.

Q What is your name?
A Leong Shee
Q What is your given name?
A  Ah Ho.
Q How old are you?
A  35.
Q Have your feet ever been bound?
A No.
Q Where were you born?
A Hoong Ma Choong village, S.W. District
Q Is that the Ma Choong village?
A Yes.
Q What is the difference between that and Hoong Ma Choong?
A There is no village named Hoong Ma  Choong and the village in which I was born is Ma Choong.
Q Didn't you say Hoong Ma Choong at first?
A I meant Ma Choong village.
Q What is your husband's name?
A Jew Joe alias Jew Soong.
Q Has he any other name?
A Jew Pan Soong
Q Has he or yourself ever been married before?
A No , both of us were married for the first time.
Q When did you marry him?
A I was married when I was 19 years old , K.S. 28-10-4 (Nov. 13, 1902)
Q  Where  have you lived since your marriage?
A In Sun Way , Sam Goong, Dai Hong Lee village.
Q Had your husband ever been in the United States before you  married him?
A Yes, I married him when he came back to China.
Q How long was he in China on that visit?
A He came home in K.S. 28 and returned to the United States in K.S. 32.
Q How many children have you had in all, living and dead?
A Two boys only.
Q What are their names, ages, date of birth and whereabouts?
A JewSun Yew, 15 years, born K.S. 29(  Oct 7,1903) 8-17, applicant here. Jew Sun Tong, 13 years old , born K.S. 31-7-17 (Aug. 17,1905), he also is an applicant here
Q What is your husband's father's name?
A  Jew Leung Kow, who died long ago.
Q Did you ever see him?
A No.
Q What is your husband's  mother's name?
A Lee Shee , she also died long ago
Q  Have you seen her?
A Yes.
Q When did she die ?
A She died in  K.S. 29.
Q Where did she die?
A In Sam Goong, Dai Hong Lee.
Q Did she die in your house?
A Yes.
Q  How many brothers and sisters has your husband?
A He has three brothers and one sister.
Q What is the oldest brother's name?
A I don't know his oldest brother's name because he died before we married.
Q Do you know where he died?
A No.
Q Did you ever hear the circumstances under which he died?
A No.
Q Did he have a wife?
A  Yes,  but she is dead also.
Q Did he have any  children?
A He had a son but no daughters.
Q What is the  son's name, age and present whereabouts.
A  Jew Ser Jeung.39 or 40 , now living in my home village  in China.
Q Did Jew Ser Jeung have  any other name?
A  His marriage name is Jew Mun Jew.
Q Does  Jew Mun Jew have a family?
A Yes , he has a wife and 2 daughters and one son.
Q Give their ages and names.
A The son Jew Chan Lam is 14 years . The older daughter Ah Gum is 18 years, she was married last year. Jew Tuey See, 5 years old.
 Q What is the name of your husband's next brother?
A Jew Ah Sui.
Q How old is he ?
A 50
Q Where is he?
A In our home village in China.
Q Was he ever in the United States.
A Yes. 
Q Ever in any other country?
A  I don't know.
Q  How long has he been home in the village?
A  4-5 years.
Q  Has he a family?
A Yes.
Q  What is his wife's name?
A Mook Shee
Q Has he any children?
A Yes, one son and one daughter.
Q What is the son's name and age?
A Jew Sin Nam 16 or 17 years old.
Q What is the  daughter's name and age?
A Jew Mun Sui, 3 years old.
Q What is your husband's third brother's name?
A Jew Ah You , who is dead now.
Q When did he die?
A I don't know, he died before I married  my husband.
Q Did he have a family?
A Yes, a wife and she died and he has one son.
Q What is the son's name?
A Jew Ah Fook
Q  How old is he?
A Over 20
Q Is Jew Ah Fook married?
A No.
Q When did Jew Ah You's wife die?
A She died 8 or 9 years ago.
Q  What is your husband's sister's name?
A Jew Ah Ho
Q How old is she ?
A  60 or 70.
Q Where is she?
A She married across the  river in Nom Loong village.  I suppose S.W. district but it is on the other side of the river.
Q Have  you  ever seen  her or her husband?
A  I have seen her but not her husband.
Q Has she any children?
A One son, no daughters.
Q What is the son's name?
A  Leung Poy Young.
Q How old is he?
A Over 30.
Q Have you ever seen him ?
A Yes.
Q  Where did you see him?
A In my home when he came to visit us.
Q When was he last at your house?
A When we bought our house in K.S. 29 (1903).
Q Which way does Dai Hong Lee face?
A It faces south.
Q What is the location of your house?
A 4th row, 4th house counting from the head of the village.
Q Which is the head of the village .
A West.
Q Is that the house that was bought in K.S. 29 (1903).
A Yes.
Q Have you ever lived in any house since that house was built.
A  No.
Q Is there any stone road that leads to your village?
A Yes .
Q At what side of the village?
A At the head of the village.
Q What direction does it lead?
A This stone road runs right through the village from head to tail .
Q Does it run through near the front of the village  or near the rear of the village?
A  Near the rear of the village or at the foot ot the hill.
Q Who has resided in your house with you?
A Jew Ah Sui's wife and children .
Q  Has Jew Sui himself lived in the house?
A Yes
Q  What part of the house does he occupy?
A The small door side.
Q Is that the left or right side of the house?
A We occupy the East side and they the West side. We are on the left and they are on the right.
Q Is the big door to the tail of the village?
A Yes
Q How long have they been living with you?
A Since they were married 4 or 5 years ago.
Q Did you say that Jew Sin Nam , the oldest son is 16 or 17 years old?
A Yes. This is his 2nd wife, for the first wife dies and he brought the son back from a far country, I don't know where.
Q Where is the residence of Jew Seu Jeung alias Jew Mun Jew?
A He lives also at Dai Hong Lee last house 2nd or 3rd row from the head of the village.
Q Is he in the row next to your row or is there a row between?
A  There is one row between.
Q Did he have a  family when your husband was last in China?
A Yes, he was married before my husband came home.
Q Does your husband know his children?
A Yes, he knows the two oldest.
Q Where does Jew Fook live, that is , the son of your husband's brother, Jew Yow?
A In my house.
Q Why didn't you mention him when I asked you to name all the occupants of your house?
A He is a boy, he does not sleep in the house but comes home to eat.
Q Where does he sleep?
A He sleeps outside in some Ancestral home.
Q Don't you know where he sleeps?
A No , I don't .
Q Has he ever slept in your house?
A Yes, when he was a small boy.
Q Where did he sleep at the time when your husband was home?
A In a small house a short distance away from our house.
Q Was  there a space between that small house and your house?
A No.
Q Did the two houses join each other?
A Yes
Q  Where did you get your water for household purposes?
A From the well located at the foot of the hill.
Q Near the head or tail of the village?
A Near the tail.
Q Any protection around the well?
A No, but it is surrounded by stone platform a little higher then the surrounding ground.
Q Is it circular or square ?
A It is square, 4 stones making the four sides and slightly raised from the ground.
Q Do you identify these photographs ( indicating photographs on the papers)?
A I do not know him (indicating the photograph of the manager of alleged husband's firm). This is my husband (identification is correct). This is myself. This is my son Jew Sun Yew.  This is my 2nd son , Jew Sun Teong. This is Lee Bing.  Identifications correct.
Q How long have you known Lee Bing?
A I saw him when he came to our house in K.S. 32
Q How many times has he visited your home?
A 6 or 7 times.
Q When was those 6 or 7 times?
A He visited us 2 or 3 times in K.S. 32 (1906) when he came to China and in C.R. 3 (1914) when he was in China  he visited us 2 or 3 times again.  He is a relative of my mother in law.
Q  What was the purpose of those visits?
A He brought us some money from my husband.
Q How much money?
A $50.00 in K.S. 32 (1906) and C.R. 3 (1914) $50.00.
Q If he made 6 or 7 visits what was the purpose of the other visits?
A Just to visit us because he is  our relative by marriage.
Q Have you anything further to state?
A No.
Q Have you understood the Interpreter (by Inspector Sawyer in Chinese)?
A  Yes.

Immigration Interview of Lee Bing/Jue Family on Angel Island 1918

See this previous post for an overview of the 1918 Angel Island immigration investigation of the Jue Family.
Lee Bing, is Jew Joe's first cousin. He is at the hearing at the request of Jew Joe as an  identifying witness  who can identify both Jew Joe and his family. An explanation is in order about his three trips to China.
Exclusion era laws allow merchants to come and go at will from the United States to China. They can stay as long as they want and then return to the United States without hinderance as  member of the exempt merchant class.  Chinese in the laborer class cannot travel to and from the United States and China at all unless they belong to a special class of laborers who have a parent, spouse or child who is a legal resident of the United States or if they have $1000 in property or owed debts. If they fit this special category, they may apply for a special return certificate at their port of departure. This is a special certificate, separate from the certificate of identity required of all Chinese in the United States.  Returning laborers are required to present this special certifcate on their return to the United States or they are denied reentry. Also this special return certificate only allows them to stay abroad for a maximum of one year.  Lee Bing travels to China the first time and stays for two years as a merchant . In his second and third trips he stays for one year only and returns as a laborer holding the proper return certificate.

Statement of Identifying Witness.  Interpreter  Chin Jack.
Sworn
Speaks See Yim dialect; Intepreter qualified
Admonished if you do not understand the Interpeter to immediately so state.

Q What is your name?
A Lee Bing, and Lee Him Way
Q How old are you?
A 52
Q Where were you born?
A Lin Hong Village, S.W. District
Q When did you first come to the United States?
A K.S. 8 (1882)
Q How many trips to China ?
A three trips
Q When did you first make the first trip?
A  K.S. 24 (1898) returned K.S 26 (1900)
Q When did you make the 2nd trip?
A K.S. 32 (1906) returning in K.S. 33 (1907)
Q Whenn did you make the 3rd trip?
A  C.R. 3 (1914) returning C.R 3 (1914)
Q Give me full particulars of your last  admission?
A Departed C.R. 3-2-10 (March 6,1914) on the S.S. Mongolia, returning the 12th month 27th day(February 10,1915) on the S.S. China as a laborer of Los Angeles, under the name of Lee Bing
Q Have you any indentifying papers?
A Applicannt presents certificate of residence 113656, issued at Sacramento, California, April 17, 1894 to Loy Bing, laborer; occupation , gardener,age 29 years, height 5 ft 3 in., mole on chin.   The photograph is faded but resembles the witness and he bears the mole on the chin mentioned on the certificate.  I am satisfied that he is the proper holder of the certificate.  The certificate is endorsed and returned.
Q Is your name Loy Bing or Lee Bing?
A Lee Bing. The Internal Revenue office made a mistake in writing the name Loy Bing.
Q For whom are you appearing today?
A Leong Shee.
Q Any one else?
A Two sons.
Q What are their names ?
A Jew Yew and Jew Sun Tong
Q Has Jew Yew another character to his name?
A Jew Sun Yew, but these names are pronounced  Jew Sun Yew and Jew Sun Choong.
Q On what grounds do you seek to have these three persons admitted to this country?
A As a wife of a merchant, and sons of a merchant.
Q Do you identify these photographs ( indicating photographs in present case)?
A Wong Gage,  Jew Soong, he is called Jew Joe,   Leong Shee,  Jew Sun Yew, and Jew Sun Toong, this is myself. ( Identification of photographs is correct).
Q Have you an extra photograph of yourself?
A Witness submits loose photograph which is endorsed and handed to stenographer for indexing.
Q How long have you known Jew Soong , the father.
A Over 10 years.
Q How much over 10 years.
A About 12 or 13 years altogether.
Q Where did you first meet him?
A He is a first cousin of mine.  I met him  in K.S. 29 at Los Angeles, California (1903)
Q Did you ever know him in China?
A No, maybe when I was a child , I don't remember.  The first time at Los Angeles.
Q When did he first come to this country?
A I don't know. He came before me.
Q If he came before you and you came in 1882 K.S. 8 and you are first cousins, how do you account for the fact that you have never met until K.S. 29.
A Because I was in Chico, California for many years.
Q Was K..S. 29 the year when you first went to Los Angeles?
A Yes .
Q How are you first cousin of Jew Soong?
A His mother is a sister of my  father.
Q What is your father's name?
A Lee Yick Nging.
Q  Was his mother your father's youngest sister or oldest?
A  Eldest sister of my  father.
Q What village does Jew Soong belong to?
A Dai Hong Lee village, portion of Sam Goong S.W. district.
Q How far is that village from your home village?
A Over 10 leas before traveling on water and about 30 leas on water.
Q Have you ever been in his home village?
A Yes.
Q Where did you see Jew Soong's wife and two sons whose photographs you have identified?
A At his house in Dai Hong Lee.
Q Have you ever seen them anywhere else?
A No.
Q How many times  have you visited them?
A Twice
Q Can you tell me the dates of those visits?
A K.S. 32-12th or 13th month ( January or  February 1907) and C.R. 3-4th or 5th month (April to June 1914)  That is as near as I can tell. I am not positive.
Q What was the purpose of those two visits?
A I was to deliver $50.00 on each visit I made.
Q Who sent the $50.00?
A Jew Soong
Q Where did he hand the money to you ?
A In Los Angeles
Q How long did you stay at the time of the two visits?
A On my second visit  I sayed over night, because I could not make the trip to my home the same day.
Q What time did you arrive at Jew Soong's house?
A I did not have my watch with me at that time but it was very dark.
Q Did you have supper with the family that evening?
A I ate with the two sons.
Q Any one else?
A No other.
Q Where was the mother?
A She ate after I did.
Q Did you see anyone else in the house?
A No , only the family.
Q Did you know if anyone else was living  in the same house?
A I did not notice.
Q What time did you leave the next day?
A Pretty early that morning.
Q Did you have anything to eat that morning before leavving?
A Yes.
Q What is the location  of their home in the village?
A 1st house on the 4th row.
Q  Which way did the village face?
A Faces the south.
Q Where was the head of the village?
A To the west.
Q How many rows of houses are there?
A I don't know., I never counted. them.
Q More than four rows?
A A frontage of about 9 houses..
Q There were about 9 rows of houses?
A Yes.
Q Was the applicants house one of the front houses?
A Yes.
Q How many houses were there in their row?
A  4 or 5, I didn't count them. If  more houses have been built recently , I cannott tell you and if the village has been improvved I could not tell you.
Q Are you sure that there is no vacant house or lot in front of the applicants?
A  No house or vacant bulding or lot in front of their house.
Q Was their house in the same position at the time of both of yoour visits?
A  Yes.
Q There is no question at all in your mind as to the position of their home.?
A No
Q Do you know any other building in the village ?
A No.

Inspector's note: Our record No. 14122/10-11 shows that Loy(Lee) Bing was admitted S.S.China, February 8, 1915 as a  returning laborer having departed in March 5,1914. The photograph of the person to whom said record refers is a good likeness of the present witness.  This record does not show his earlier trips.
Q Give me the full particulars of your previous trips to China in K.S. 32 (1906)? .
A Departed K.S. 32-8 (Sept or Oct. 1906) S.S. Nippon Maru and returned K.S. 33-8 (Sept, or Oct. 1907) S.S. Siberia
Q Under what classification did you make that trip?
A Laborer.
Q Did you ever make a trip to China as a merchant?
A Yes, my first trip.
Q Has anyone of the three applicants ever been to your home?
A No.
Q Do  they know any member of your family?
A No.
Q When you went to China last time did you take any money to anyone else?
A Yes
Q To whom?
A Lee Look in my home village.
Q How much?
A $50.00
Q Did you take money  to  anyone else?
A Lee Look and Jew Soong.
Q How does it happen that when you came back from China by the S.S. China  Februrary 8, 1915, when you were asked if you had taken any money or anything else to anyone in China ,you mentioned that you had  taken $50.00 to Lee Look's family but did not mention that you had taken money to anyone else?
A I did not mention Jew Soong because he was my 1st cousin.
Q  I do not see as that is any explanation. Have you anything else to say about this?
A I may have forgotten it.
Q Have you anything further to state?
A Nothing
Q  Have you understood the Interpreter ( thru Inspector Sawyer in Chinese)?
A Yes.
Signed
Description  Height 5-ft 2 in. and person has mole on right side of chin.
(see question re witness submits photograph)

Immigration Interview of Jew Joe/Jue Family on Angel Island 1918

Previously,  I have provided an overview of the United States Immigration Service  investigation of Jue Family on Angel Island in 1918. The following is the full transcript of  my great grandfather Jew Joe's initial interview in support of his application for his family to be allowed entry into the United States.

United States Immigration Service , Chinese Division
April 30,1918
17110/10-2,10-3,10-4
Leong Shee, Jew Sun Yew and Jew Sun Teong
Inspector: J.B. Sawyer
Interpreter: C.Richards
Stenographer: E.C. Benson

Statement of alleged husband and father, Sworn
Speaks See Yip dialect: Interpreter qualified
Admonished if you do not understand the Interpreter to immediately so state.

Q What is your name?
A  Jew Joe by which I am known among the Americans. Jew Soong is my boy-hood name, and my marriage name is Jew Pan Jeong. No other names.
Q How old are you?
A 62 years and a few months.
Q Have you an extra photograph of yourself?
A No, I didn't bring any.
Q  Under the rules it is necessary to submit an extra photograph for all the records before proceeding with the case, if we proceed with the case at this time will you agree to submit a photograph as soon as possible?
A  Yes.
Witness is measured. Height 5ft, 6-1/4 inches without shoes; marks of identification; little finger of left hand crooked, small scar end of right eye brow.
Q Have you any identification papers?
A  Witness presents certificate of residence No. 143657, issued in lieu of certificate No. 130256 and signed F.F. Sargent, Commissioner General of Immigration, Washington D.C. This certificate issued in the name of Jew Joe, age 39, residence,St.Helena, California, occupation, farmhand; height 5ft-7 1/2 inches; no marks of identification; dated Sacramento, California, May 3,1894.

Inspector's note: After careful comparison of witness withh the photograph on this certificate I am inclined to believe that the witness is the rightful holder although the difference in their appearance indicates that he has changed considerably in apperance since the photograph was taken.
Q When was this photograph taken?
A  1st month of K. S. 32 (February 1906)
Q Isn't it remarkable for you to have changed in appearance in those years?
A  I am stouter now.
Q Where were you born?
A In the Sam Goong village in the Sun Woey district
Q When did you first come to this country?
A When I was 18 years old. I don't remember in what year I came, I was 18 years old.
Q How many trips to China have you made since then?
A  One trip.
Q Give me the full particulars of that trip?
A Departed K.S. 28-4-2 or 3 (May 9 or 10,1902) S.S. Nippon Maru, and returned K.S. 32-1-10 (February 3,1906)  S.S. Mongolia, and I made the trip under the name of Jew Joe. I went as a laborer.
Q Have you secured the admission of any members of your family before?
A  No
Q  Do you identify these photographs (showing photographs in the present case)
A This is Gage Wong, my partner.  This is my picture.  This is my wife. This is my youngest son, Jew Sun Teong (Sin Chong). This is Jew Sun Yeaw (Sin Yew) my eldest son. This is my cousin, Lee Bing.
Inspector's note: Identification of photographs correct.
Q For whom are you appearing today.
A  I am a witness for my wife and two sons whose photographs I have identified.

Inspector's note: Certificate of residence presented by  the witness and indorsed with reference to the present case and returned to the witness. It bears no indorsement referring to any other case.

Q You are advised that we should have a duplicate set of the affidavit offered in these cases and we now have only one complete set, will you see to it that a second set is furnished?
A   I will
Q  Has your mercantile status been investigated in connection with these cases ?
A   It has.
Q How many times have you been married?
A  Once
Q What is your wife's name?
A Leong Ho.
Q How old is she?
A 35 years
Q What kind of feet?
A  Natural feet.
Q When did you marry her?
A In K.S. 28-9 or 10 (October or November 1902)
Q Of what village is she a native?
A Ma Choong village, Sun Woey district.
Q  How many children have you had by her?
A Two.
Q Give me their ages, date of birth and whereabouts?
A  Jew Sun Yew (Sin Yew) 15 years old, born K.S 29-8-17 (Octobert 7,1903) in Sam Gong Village.  He is at the station now.  Jew Sun Teong (Sin Choong) born K.S. 31-7-17(August 17, 1905) age 13 years old: born in Sam Gong village and now at this station appearing for admission.
Q  Have you ever had any other children?
A No
Q How old were these children when you saw them last?
A The eldest child was about 2  1/2 years old and the youngest child was about 4  1/2 months old.
Q What is your father's name?
A  Jee Leung Kow.
Q Is he living ?
A  He has been dead a long  time.
Q  When  did he die?  I don't remember, I was in California then.
Q Was it before you were married?
A  My father died before my marriage.
Q  What is your mother's name.
A   Lee Shee.
Q  Is she living?
A   She is dead.
Q  When did she die?
A In K.S. 20-1-20 (February 17,1903)  She died at the Sam Gong village.
Q Have you any  brothers or sisters?
A  There were four boys and one girl in our family.
Q Give me their names, ages, and whereabouts and particulars regarding their families if any?
A  Jew Niu, he is dead, he died in Alaska. I don't remember in what year. He was drowned on a vessel which was going to the canneries to Alaska about 20 years ago.
He was married and had one son and no daughters; son's name is Jew Mun Jew. I don't know his age exactly; he is in China; he is about 40 years of age.  I am the 2nd son. The third, Jew See, brother, he is 53 or 54 years of age, I don't know exactly.  he is in China; his family lives in the Sam Gong village.  I don't know his wife's name; I don't know whether he has any children; since he went to China  I have not heard from him.
Q When did he go to China?
A   I don't remember the year he went. He went to China from Paris, France.
Q  Was he ever in this country?
A Yes,  he studied  English in this country about 20 years.
Q Where did he study English?
A  At Los Angeles, Pasadena and Pomona.
Q  When you were last in China was he married?
A No, he was not in China then.
Q  Proceed with your next brother or sister?
A  Jew Yow brother; he is dead; he died more than 20 years ago .
Q  Was he ever in this country?
A No.
Q Where did he die?
A In China, Sam Gong village.
Q Did he have a family?
A Yes, he had one son.
Q What was his son's name?
A   Jew Fook
Q How old is Jew Fook?
A I  don't remember,  I was not at home when he was born.
Q Did you ever see him?
A Yes
Q When did you see him?
A I saw him at my village.
Q How old was he then?
A 6 or 7 years old.
Q  Was that at the time of our last trip (1902 to 1906)?
A Yes
Q Do you mean to say he was 6 or 7 at the time you arrived in 1902 or the time you arrived in this country 1906?
A He was about 6 or 7 years old the year I arrived in China.
Q Then he would be about 22 or 23 now, would he not?
A Yes, I thiink more than that .
Q  Is he married?
A I don't know, I have been in this country more than 10 years.
Q Proceed with  your next brother or sister?
A  My sister is older than me; her name is Jew Ho and she is about 65 years old; she is now in Nam Noong village, Sun Woey district; she is married' I don't know her husband's name, he is dead.
they have one son Leung(something.) I don't know his given name; I don't know how old the child is. Just they have one son.
Q Have you ever seen the son?
A No.
Q How far is your sister's place(Nam Noong village) from your village?
A About 2 or 3 poles (20 or 30 leas).
Q How many houses are there in Sam Goong village? 
A I don't know how many houses; it is a very large village and there are more than 10,000 people there.
Q What is the name of local division of the Sam Goong village in which you  live?
A  Dai Hoong Lee.
Q How large is Dai Hoong Lee?
A About 200 people there.
Q How many houses?
A I could not tell you how many houses.
Q In which way does Dai Hong Lee face?
A It faces south.
Q How many rows of houses are there?
A There are about 7 or 8 rows.
Q What is the location of your house?
A It is the 4th house, 4th row, counting from the stone road at the head of the village.
Q Which end of the village is the head?
A The head of the village is to the West.
Q Where does the stone road lead to?
A It goes to the farms to the east.
Q Did you state that the stone road is at the west of the village ?
A It runs East and West.
Q Does it pass your village in front or  rear?
A In the rear.
Q Can you get onto the road  at the east end or tail off your village?
A No
Q Who else lives at your home. 4 th house, 4th row?
A My house stands on the 4th block; the first lot is vacant and the second lot has a house; there is no house on the 3rd lot; the 4th lot contains my house.
Q Who occupies your house?
A My wife and sons live there.
Q  Has  anyone else lived there since your marriage?
A  No,  I heard that my brother , Jew See lived there after he went to China.
Q Do you understand that that has been his only home since you went to China?
A I don't know .  I heard that Jew Yow was living in my house.
Q If  Jew See has made his  home in the same house as your family  don't you know whether he has a family
  and who composes that family?
A My wife and sons wrote a letter saything that my brother Jew See and his wife were living in my house; they did not say whether they had any children.
Q How long has Jew See been making his home in your house?
A 3 or 4 years according to their letter.
Q Which part of the house do they occupy?
A I don't know.
Q Where is the home of your nephew Jew Mun Jew, the son of your brother Jew Nui?
A He lives at Dai Hoong Lee in the 2nd row in the 5th house. When I came to this country there was vacant lot in the 2nd row that  may have been a house built there since.
Q Who is living with Jew Mun Jew in the 2nd row of the 5th house?
A He and his wife are living there.
Q Wasn't his mother living with them?
A Mother was dead .
Q How long has he been marrried?
A I don't know how long.
Q Have you ever heard of him having a child.
A No.
Q Has Jew Mun Jew ever been in this country?
A  No
Q. What is his occupation?
A He is a farmer.
Q  Where is Jew Fook, the son of your brother Jew Yow?
A  He lives in the next house to mine.  I occupy 2/3rds of the lot and they occupy the other 3rd.
Q Which 3rd does Jew Fook occupy, the west 3rd or east 3rd.?
A The west 3rd.
Q Who lives with him?
A He lived there alone when I came away; his parents were dead.
Q According to your testimony he was only 11 years old when you came away?
A He was about that age.
Q Did he occupy a house all alone at that age ?
A He occupied the house but ate his meals at my house.
Q  Are the two houses both together as one house with no space between?
A No space between
Q Where did you get water for household purposes?
A From the well
Q What was the position of the well in the village?
A It was at the tail of the village.
Q Was the well surrounded by any  wall or other protection?
A There was tone built up around it.
Q How high did the stone stand from the ground?
A The stone was about 10 inch high.
Q Was this stone construction circular or square?
A It was square.
Q Who is the identifying witness in this case?
A  Lee Bing.
Q How long have you known Lee Bing?
A  I have known him since he was a boy.
Q  How long has he been in this country?
A 20 or 30 years.
Q What does he know about your family?
A My mother is Lee Bing's aunt.
Q Then you and Lee Bing are first cousins?
A Yes
Q  What was his mother's name?
A  I don't know.
Q Know what family she belonged to ?
A I don't know her family name.
Q What was his father's name?
A Lee Yick Ngng
Q How is Lee Yick Nng related to you?
A He is my maternal uncle, my  mother's youngest brother.
Q Is he living?
A Dead.
Q How long has he been dead?
A I don't know.
Q  Very long?
A A long time; I don't know how long.
Q Where is Lee Bing's home in China?
A Lin Hong, Sun Way district.
Q How far  is that from your village?
A About 3 poles.
Q How does he know the members of your family?
A He visited my home since I was in China.
Q When was that?
A  About C.R. 3rd year (1914).
Q  Give me full particulars of his trip to China (1915)?
A He went to China C.R. 2nd or 3rd Year (1913 or 1914), I don't remember what month or vessel. He returned in C.R. 3rd year and did not remain in China quite a year.
Q How many visits has he made to your home ?
A He vistited there when I was a boy and visited several times after he went to China?
Q When he visited there when he was a boy did you have a family?
A No
Q How many times has he visited your home since you have been married?
A He has been there several times.  I was not in China when he was there.
Q  How many trips to China has he made since you were married?
A Two trips
Q  Give full particulars of previous trip?
A Departed in K.S 32 (1906) I don't remember the month nor what vessel he went on. He returned K.S.32 (1907). I don't know what month or what vessel he returned on.
Q Then the only times he has seen members of your family is on the two trips you have mentioned.
A Yes.
Q Do yout know how many times he visited your family on the first trip?
A I do nott know,  I was not home.
Q Do you  know whether he visited your home at all on that trip?
A I asked him to take some money to China to my family.
Q How much money?
A $50.00
Q Anything else?
A No.
Q Do you know whether or not he did take the $50.00 to your family?
A Yes.
Q Do you know whether he made  more than that one visit to your family on that trip?
A I don't know that.
Q What do you know about his visits to your family on the 2nd trip?
A I asked him to take $50.00 for me on the 2nd trip.
Q  Did you know whether he made more than one vissit to your family on the 2nd trip?
A I don't know.
Q Have you anything further to state?
A Nothing more.

Inspector's note:  Our record No. 10093/29 shows the landing of Jew Joe as an overtime laborer of Los Angeles, ex. S. S. Mongolia, January 26, 1906, landed on instructions in Departmental telegram of February 6,1906. The record shows that Jew Joe departed for China, May 9,1902, by S.S. Nippon Maru.  This record contains no photograph of the person to whom it refers, but the records identifies said person with certificate of residence 143557 which has already been identified with the witness.  Consequently, I am of the opinion the record under consideration is that of the present witness.

Q. Have you the papers upon you showing your landing as a laborer in 1906?
A No; it was taken from me by Government authorities.
Q  Anything further to state .
A No.
Q Have you understood the Interpreter(thru Inspector Sawyer in Chinese)?
A I have .

Signed,

Jew Joe  ( Original Signature in Chinese and English)

"Excludable until proven otherwise"- The Investigation of the Jue Family, Angel Island 1918

Recently I was able to obtain the copies of the original Angel Island immigration investigation of the Jue Family in 1918. These documents are a treasure trove of information and provide a complete and dramatic picture of how one particular family navigated successfully the difficult interrogations of the  Exclusion era and were allowed entry into the United States.

At the time of  the arrival of Jue Joe's wife and sons at Angel Island,  the  Immigration service's policy stated that the Chinese were to be judged , "excludable until they could be proven otherwise."  It was assumed that Chinese were trying to deceive  immigration officials as to their identities and family relationships. Exclusion era policies had divided the Chinese community  into two separate and unequal groups. Merchants could travel freely between China and the United States and marry , have children and then bring those familes to the United States.  Laborers and farmers such as Jue Joe were not allowed to travel as freely and they were not able to bring their familes into the United States.  Immigration officials were well aware of the process of paper sons and paper wives  where men were posing as sons and women as wives of  merchants when in fact they were not related at all to the merchants applying  for their entry. They were well aware of the process whereby Chinese of the restricted laborer class would pay Chinese merchants to falsely apply for the immigration of these individuals as their own family members. Immigration officials were also well aware that many laborers would buy into merchant firms and falsely claim merchant status in order to bring their families to the United States. By 1918 when the Jue family arrived at Angel Island, immigration procedures had become standardized and quite rigorous in order to detect "paper sons" and false merchants.

In the case of  immigration of merchant's family members, the first phase of the investigation was an investigation of the validty of the applicant's merchant status. We have discussed  this phase of the investigation of Jue Joe's  application in the preceding post.  Jew Joe, a farmer and not in the merchant class, had bought into the Thomas C. Chung company in order to acheive merchant status. The immigration service determined that Jew Joe was indeed a bona fide merchant and thus allowed to apply for immigration of his family members.

The next phase was the interrogation of the merchant applicant. The applicant was questioned closely as to his birth , birthplace, how long he has been in America, his visits to China,  his relatives, their relationships with each other, their whereabouts , and specific physical details of their home village in minute detail. This information was detailed and was used to cross check against the testimony of alleged family members and the testimony of any witnesses. One of the main reasons for exclusion of  family members would be if the testimony of alleged family members did not match the testimony of  the applicant. Unfortunately , the questions were so difficult and detailed that  often inconsistencies arose even in the testimony of real family members. Young children were also asked detailed  questions separated from their parents. This was often the first time these children had faced a white adult and it was often a frightening experience. 

Witnesses who knew the applicant as well as the alleged family members were important and crucial to the investigation. These witnesses would also be subject to detailed and probing questions as to their knowlege of the family relationships  and home villages and the truthfulness of their answers was evaluated by how well they were consistent with the answers of the  applicant and his alleged family. Finally, inspectors would also comment on whether alleged children of the applicant matched his appearance.

After the initial  interviews were accomplished , the inspectors would then reexamine alleged family members and the applicant with probing questions if inconsistencies in their inital interviews were identified.
Finally a determination was made as to whether the alleged family were truly related to the applicant and decision for or against entry of family members would be made.  The decision could be to allow the whole family to enter or only certain individuals with other individuals deported back to China.

Interrogations were intimidating both on a verbal level and also in the physical layout of the interrogation environment.  Here is a picture of a typical Angel Island immigration interrogation:

In  April of 1918 Jue Joe's family finally arrives in the San Francisco bay via steamer from Hong Kong. The family is headed  for detention on Angel Island until their immigration status is settled. Jue Joe has hired  a Caucasian immigration attorney.  He has proven his merchant status through an immigration investigation in Los Angeles.  He has provided the authorities with this sworn affadavit requesting admission of his  family with photos of himself and his family. He has not seen his family for 12 long years. (Click on image to enlarge and read) .

He is in San Francisco  with his witness Lee Bing , his cousin.  Lee Bing has travelled between the United States and China twice bringing money home to Jue Joe's family in China and can identify Jue Joe and the family. The two men are prepared to testify to immigration authorites.   Jue  has provided instructions for his sons to dress in western clothing and his wife to dress in Chinese clothing appropriate to the wife of a merchant. He has sent  90 pages of coaching instructions to his wife, and sons as to the probable questions that they will be asked and how they should be answered.  My grandfather, Jew Sun Tong is 13 years old.  He sees Angel Island looming ahead and as instructed by his father he throws the coaching papers over the rail of the ship. He is frightened but his father, who left the family when he was a baby and who he does not remember, has instructed him that he must be strong. He must answer the questions confidently and calmly and only give the information requested and no more. He has memorized the answers he must give. He wonders what this strange new land will be like , and what his father will be like.  The island draws closer.

In succeeding posts I will  provide the full transcripts of the testimony of  Jew Joe, Lee Bing, Leong Shee, Jew Sun Yeaw , and Jew Sun Tong ( the youngest son of Jew Joe and my grandfather),as well as a full text of the final United States Immigration Service analysis of the testimony .