Mrs. Lum Sue (Wong Fong How), photo on Form 432, 1926, Chinese Exclusion Act case files, RG 85, National Archives-Seattle, Mrs. Lum Sue file, Portland, Box 68, Case 5010/411.
Mrs. Lum Sue (Wong Fong How) of Astoria, Oregon was born in Redland, California about 1898. When she married Lum Sue, a Chinese native, on 27 April 1914 in Los Angeles, she lost her American citizenship. In 1926 they were living in Astoria, Oregon with their three children, Anna, 11 years; Flora, 10 years; and John, 8 years. The children were all born in Astoria. Lum Sue was manager of the Lum Quing grocery store.
Trish..This is so great!!!!!!! I spent a great deal of time with one of the later daughters,Nancy, who was married to my cousin Harlan both of them have passed away. There is still family around, so I will e mail this on to them. Are there any referring folders? Loretta
There is a file on her husband, Lum Sue, 5009/89; her daughter, Flora Lum, 5017/362; her son John, 5017/363.
Trish, my grandmother, Emma, lost her citizenship by marrying a Dane who didn’t become naturalized until 1916. I sent for her naturalization papers and there weren’t any. I think she just ignored the law (easy to do in a small town and when she couldn’t vote any way.) My aunt, however, described Emma as feisty and very political. She could not imagine her not vo
tng once the bill was passed allowing women to vote. Again, the privilege of her race allowed her to ignore the law and vote anyway. Great post. I love them all.
That’s my mom. I’m still here in Astoria. I’m ‘very been a Auto dealer for over 50 years. If u r related or have or need more info plz contact me. Dave Lum. Email address is: david@lumsautocenter.com
Very interesting! I will definitely share with my kids, who are some of Flora’s great grandchildren. We live in Hawaii where things are easier for those of mixed backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and cultures. I am not saying Hawaii is perfect, but it is a lot more comfortable for the many cultures that live here, and we often forget how mixing of cultures is not tolerated by many parts of our great country. I am so glad that my father decided to raise his family in Hawaii.
Hi Baron Chan, Unfortunately many women who were born in the U.S. lost their citizenship when they married a non-citizen, and Chinese were not eligible to become citizens at the time. Thank you for writing. Trish