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CALL NUMBER: T3715:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Rev. Yee Jing Chow : Chinese Christian missionary PERIOD COVERED: 1899-1980 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-06-27 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Discusses background: born in Hoiping, Kwantang, China on Aug.12, 1899; immigrated to Vancouver, B.C. 1912 to teach Chinese; early education; father immigrated to Ashcroft, B.C.; no contact with father; immigration would not exempt him from $500 head tax without his teacher's certificate; the Christian mission was able to obtain a refund. Stayed in Vancouver and worked for the mission teaching Chinese and playing the piano for almost 2 years. Dr. Osterhout head of mission: asked him to work in Nelson. Stayed in Nelson and travelled for the mission around the area, Rossland and Grand Forks. Tells of the many types of occupations the Chinese did in area (i.e., laundries, building the road, chopping wood). Travelled on paddlewheel boat on the Okanagan lakes. Talks of the good Chinese/white relations in the area and the kindness of the Chinese people who received him in every town. The United Church in Vancouver sponsor his return to China for four years to study theology. Returns to Vancouver in 1924 with wife and daughter to work in missions in interior of province. Talks of his work in the missions and the small towns. TRACK 2: Discusses the Depression: the Chinese mission; was not directly involved with the soup kitchens, so he helped in the Salvation Army storefronts. Tells a story of a Chinese man who donates to the church though he could not afford to. Relates Chinese social life and celebrations in B.C. interior towns: opium, Chinese women, meeting place. Moved to Victoria in 1946: description of Chinese United Church in Victoria; talks of woman missionary Miss Peters and her dedicated work in the church. Daily routines for the past 22 years of retirement. Refers to his present home which is the original building of the Oriental Girls' Home. CALL NUMBER: T3715:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Rev. Yee Jing Chow : Chinese Christian missionary PERIOD COVERED: 1920-1960 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-07-08 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Son born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Work as a missionary in Moose Jaw for 10 years and then moved to Kamloops, B.C. In Moose Jaw, he ministered the whole area up to Winnipeg. When he arrived in Victoria, the Oriental Girls' Home was already disbanded and the Home was administered by white folks (with Chinese aid). When first arrived in Canada, Rev. Chow learned to play the piano, and sang and preached outside in Vancouver streets. Some Chinese men in Victoria went back to China to fight the Japanese in WW II, but never saw action and returned to Canada. In Vancouver, Rev. Chow taught Chinese to about 10 students; taught some English to students at night school. He taught English by first learning and then re-teaching. Talks of the many shops in Vancouver Chinatown. Talks of his missionary work in the Vancouver district including Steveston farms and fish canneries. Speaks of a large Chinese farm whose owner was a Christian and welcomed him to visit. Description of that farm house. The roads that were supposed to connect many small towns in the interior were not completed so he quite often walked through trails to reach these towns. In Nelson there were only about four Chinese families and he taught the children there. TRACK 2: Describes the hand laundry delivery system. Performing marriage ceremonies. Talks of his children. Speaks of the rescue work of the Oriental Girls' Mission. Talks of his work in Moose Jaw, Sask. Speaks of his work and the function of the Chinese United Church in Victoria and how it helped the Chinese people. CALL NUMBER: T3715:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Rev. Yee Jing Chow : Chinese Christian missionary PERIOD COVERED: 1950-1978 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-07-08 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Rev. Chow discusses: Sunday church picnics in Victoria; his children and grandchildren; future aspirations of reviving the Chinese mission; talks of the disbanding of the Chinese United Church and the selling of the property in Chinatown in Victoria. Description of the church and the mission school and living quarters. Speaks of the Chinese school teacher who taught at the school and his recent death. Speaks of Miss Peters, missionary woman who dedicated her life to help the Chinese in Victoria. (End of interview)