Category Archives: Marriage name

Lee Tah (Tok) Fu (George Chin) – Anonymous letter, three wives, many photos

Alien Registration File Number, Anonymous letter, Marriage name, New York City file, Photographs, Section 6 Student, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lee Tah Fu (George Chin)’s file is a reminder that these files usually pertain to a small portion of a person’s life. Lee’s file brings up many questions and gives us few answers.

Black and white portrait of a young man wearing a suit and tie, looking directly at the camera.
Lee Tah (Tok) Fu, Section 6 Certificate, 1924, Chinese Exclusion Act case files, Record Group 85, National Archives at Seattle, Lee Tah (Tok) Fu, Box 900, 7032/790.

Lee Tah Fu first came to the U.S. as a Section VI student in 1924. He was born on 15 January 1899 at Hen Mee Village, S.N.D. (Sun Ning District), China, son of Lee Nie Wee and Moy Shee, and attended school at Chi Chu Middle School in Peking. Lee went to New York City after his arrival in Seattle and went to Mission School for one year before working in a laundry.

Historical black and white portrait of a young man with dark hair, wearing a suit and tie, with the words 'IMMIGRANT INSPECTOR' below his image.
Lee Tah (Tok) Fu, Form 432, 1930, CEA case files, RG 85, NARA-Seattle, Lee Tah (Tok) Fu, Box 900, 7032/790.

Ng Fook, marriage name Ng You Chung, was a witness for Lee Tah Fu in 1930. Lee and Ng Fook were both laundrymen living in New Brunswick, New Jersey. They had known each other three or four years. Ng borrowed $1,000 from Lee in August 1930 filling the requirement Lee needed when applying for his return certificate to visit his family in China. Lee’s application was approved.

When Lee returned through the Port of Seattle in September 1931, he received his Certificate of Identity #66912. Sometimes his name was spelled Lee Tah Fu and he also went by George Chin.

In October 1937, Mrs. George Chin wrote to Immigration and Naturalization in Seattle asking for more information about Lee Tok Fu. She said she was married, going to have a baby and would like to know about Lee’s married life in China. She did not say if she was his wife. The Seattle office wrote to the New York office for information contained in Lee’s New York file 134/237 and suggested that they contact Mrs. Chin. She was not contacted by Immigration until 1942.

In late January 1942, the immigration office at New York received an anonymous complaint about Lee. Gilbert M. Hall, U.S. Chinese and Immigrant Inspector at Ellis Island, New York, interviewed Lee Tok Fu.  Lee gave his marriage name as Lee Soon Moon. His parents were both deceased and they had never left China. Lee married Ng Shee, who died in China in 1934. They had a son and daughter. He married Caroline Greger, a Caucasian, in October 1935 at Church of All Nations in New York City. They had two sons, both born in New York City. Lee was registered under the Alien Registration Act and belonged to the Chinese Benevolent Association and had his Certification of Identity. Inspector. Hall decided that Lee had been legally admitted to the U.S.

Mrs. George Chin (Caroline Greger), a Caucasian, also known as Mrs. Lee Tok Fu, was then interviewed. Caroline was born on 29 October 1918 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. When asked for a copy of her 1935 marriage license, she said her husband tore it up while in a crazy fit. They had two sons, William, born 1939, and Joseph, born 1941. Their son George, born 1938, died in 1941, a few months before Joseph was born.

About 1937 or 1938, Caroline found out that her husband had another wife. Lee’s father-in-law, Charlie Sing, came into their laundry and told Caroline her husband was married to his daughter who was alive and living in China. They had three children together. Caroline found wife #1’s name and address in her husband’s effects and wrote to her. Lee’s eighteen-year-old son in China wrote to Caroline telling her that his mother was alive and sent her several photographs. Caroline confronted Lee and he told her he had two living wives in China. She separated from him but returned because she could not manage on her own. She planned on terminating her marriage.

Immigration filed this information in Lee’s file but no further action was taken. Alien Registration number 2860497 was handwritten on the final page in his file. Copies of the photos and Chinese letter from Lee’s N.Y. file were sent to Seattle and included in his file. No other follow-up information was included in the file.

Black and white photograph of two boys seated together, one wearing a suit and the other in a traditional outfit, both looking at the camera.
A man in a light suit sitting on a rooftop, holding a straw hat. The background features buildings and trees, with writing at the top and bottom indicating a date and name.
Black and white portrait of a young man in a suit, looking directly at the camera. The image has handwritten notes at the bottom.
A portrait of a young girl sitting on a rock, wearing a traditional patterned outfit. The background features foliage and a blurred bridge.
A young girl in a traditional dress stands next to a seated doll on a rock, with a decorative backdrop featuring plants and structures.
Photos from NARA- NY, File 134/237

Photo information:
Top row: Chin Tah Fu’s sons by his 1st wife: Chin You Tong, age 18 and Chin You Hing, age 13, taken ca. 1937; Chin Tah Fu; Chin You Tong
Bottom row:
Chin Tah Fu’s common law wife, Lin Sue (wife #3)
Chin Tah Fu’s daughter, Chin Sue Kin, age about 22, with her baby

[I was unable to find more information on Lee Tok Fu or his children by Caroline but according to Ancestry.com, Caroline Virgina Greger married Henry Keuvir on 12 April 1942, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. phn]

Louis Loy – Seattle Merchant’s many trips to China

Affidavit, Application for Certificate of Identity, File, laborer, Marriage name, merchant, peddler, reference sheet, Return Certificate, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In June 1895, Louis Loy (Louie Loy)  雷來; 雷 sought approval for a trip to China. He was born in Jung Share (Jung Sea) Village, Sun Ning District, China. His marriage name was Louie Ngee Goon. J. Edgar Mills, wrote to the Chinese Inspector in Spokane, Washington, certifying that he had known Louis Loy for over three years and Louis was doing business in 1891 as Loy On & Co., a Japanese bazar [market], on Pike Street, in the Wa Chong Building.

“Louis Loy (Louie Loy), Affidavit photo,” 1893, CEA case files, RG 85, NARA-Seattle, Louis Loy, Box 908, #7032/999.

William Y. L. Rutherford swore in an affidavit in November 1893 that he had known Louis Loy as a merchant since 1890 in the business of manufacturing and dealing with ladies’ underwear. Since 1891, Louis and his partner, Lou Suie, continued the business under the name of Quong Lee Yuen & Co. The business was in the back of the Chinese grocery, Wa Chong Company. 

In June 1901, W. Y. L. Rutherford and Walter Bernett swore that they had known Louis Loy as a merchant for over ten years. Thomas M. Fisher, Chinese and Immigrant Inspector in Seattle sent a summary of his findings for interviews with Rutherford, M. S. Booth, Walter Burritt, and Alexander Wilson, to the Deputy Collector’s Office in Port Townsend. Booth was a manager at Ballargerin [a downtown Seattle department store] and lived in Seattle for twenty-nine years. Burritt and Wilson both knew Louie Loy for about ten years. Wilson, a merchant, testified that Louis visited Wilson’s store about every third day to buy silk, lace and dress goods for gowns.  Louis Loy’s trip was approved. He traveled to China and returned on 1 July 1901.

In August 1909, Louis Loy applied for a trip to Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia. He wanted to bring his wife, Leong She, and his minor daughter, Louis Gim Won, back with him.
His witnesses were L.B. Jackson and W. H. Greeley, both employees at Western Dry Goods Company and longtime residents of Seattle. They swore that Louis was a merchant for more than five years at 316 Yesler Way in Seatle and had done no manual labor during the last year. A photo of Louis Loy was attached to the affidavit.

A note at the end of Louis Loy’s interrogation, says, “This applicant is personally known to the examining inspector as a reputable Chinese merchant of this city.” Signed by Henry A. Monroe

A partnership list of Louis Loy & Company as of 8 October 1909 is included in the file.

Louis Loy’s trip to Canada was approved. Louis and Leong She were married at 728 Commonwealth Street, Victoria, B.C. on 19 October 1909 in the Methodist Church by A. E. Roberts, clergyman, with witnesses L. Chewkum, Chan Sui and Maggie Smith.
Louis, his wife, and daughter returned to Seattle on the 20th of October. Louis’ first wife died in 1908. The immigration inspector examined Louis’ marriage license, approved it, and returned it to Louis.  Ah Foon (Woon), Louis’ ten-year-old daughter by his first wife was interrogated. The family was admitted.

In February 1929, Louie Loy submitted a Request for a Return Certificate. He was now sixty-six years old, [his interrogation lists his age as 67] considered a laborer, a peddler selling Chinese pastry. Louis and his second wife, Leung She, had eleven children, all born in the U.S. He provided the names and dates of birth for his children. They were living at Canton Alley in Seattle. Ah Chung owed him $1,000. [Laborers were required to have property or debt of $1,000] Ah Chung was questioned and his testimony agreed with Louie Loy.
 Louis Loy was originally admitted into the United States in 1895 as a returning merchant. He was in China during the original registration period, so he did not have a Certificate of Residence. On each of his trips he used his affidavit to prove his status as a merchant. When he returned from his 1929 trip to China, he received his Certificate of Identity #62558. 

“Louis Loy (Louie Loy), M143 photo,” 1930, CEA case files, RG 85, NARA-Seattle, Louis Loy, Box 908, #7032/999.

 According to his file, Louis Loy’s last trip to China was in March 1931, returning and admitted in January 1932.                                       

The reference sheet in his file lists the names and file numbers for Louis Loy’s wife, two sons, and seven daughters–potentially containing much more information on this family.

Huie Taong  – Restaurant Owner, The New York Café, Ellensburg, WA

Application for laborer's return certificate, Certificate of Residence, Geary Act of 1892, hookworm, laborer, Marriage name, minor son of merchant, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Huie Taong arrived in the U.S. at the Port of San Francisco in 1872. From there he went to Ellensburg, Washington, and worked as a cook and ran a laundry.  As a laborer, according the 1892 Geary Act which renewed the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, he was required to obtain a Certificate of Residence. His certificate described him as a laundryman, thirty-seven years old, five feet three and three-fourth inches, with a scar in the center of his forehead. It was signed and dated May 3, 1894 by Henry Blackman, the Collector of Internal Revenue in Portland, Oregon. Huie Taong’s photograph was attached to the document.

“Certificate of Residence No. 127194, Huie Taong, 1894, Chinese Exclusion Act case files, Record Group 85, NARA-Seattle, Huie Taong , Seattle Box 44, file 31-223.

In 1905 Huie Taong applied for a Return Certificate so he could go to China and legally return to the U.S. He swore in an affidavit that he had property worth more the $1,000. It consisted of a one-fourth interest in the California Restaurant in Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington, valued at about $2,000. His interest was $500. Suey Gin owed him about $700 and Lew Fong owed him $500.

Affidavit for Application for Return Certificate, 1905, CEA, RG 85, NARA-Seattle, Huie Taong Box 44, file 31-223.

The information in affidavits by Suey Gin and Lew Fong agreed with Huie Taong.
Eight Ellensburg residents signed a statement certifying that the knew Huie Taong and believed his statement was true. They were: O. Henman, Post Office; L. R. Thomas, Sheriff; M E. Flynn, Mayor; J. C. Hubbell, Mgr. Water Co; P. H. W Ross, banker; E. H. Snowden, banker; B. F. Reed, Creamery Proprietor; Austin Mires, City Attorney.

The Chinese Inspector, Mr. A. F. Richardson, visited the California Restaurant several times and was impressed with the people and the place. The restaurant was leased to Wing Yick Tong Company from J. E. Farrell for $50 a month. Because it was doing such a good business, Richardson recommended that Huie Taong’s Return Certificate be approved.

Huie Taong returned from his trip to China to Port Townsend, Washington, and was admitted as a laborer on 31 March 1906. He was forty-six years old, weighed 154 pounds, stout with a large brown mark inside his left forearm, a large scar about two inches long in the center of his forehead, and moles on his jaws and temple. Lew Fong and Suey Gin still owed him over $1,000. He did not have an official note but he kept a small book where he recorded the amounts owed him.

On 24 October 1908, Huie Taong applied to go to China again as a laborer. His “baby name” was Huie Doo Taong and his “marriage name” was Huie Tai Ball. He still had a $500 interest in the California Restaurant and debts due from Suey Gim and Lew Fong. He attached a current photo of himself to the application. The interrogator warned Huie Taong that he must return to the United States with one year and that during his absence his property must not be disposed of, or his debts collected.

Huie Foy was a witness for this trip. He was forty-five years old, born in China, had a Certificate of Registration, and owned the Loy Lee Laundry in Ellensburg. He came to the U.S. in 1882 and bought his laundry from Hop Lee in 1907. He had been back to China twice. He had known Huie Taong for about twenty years and owed him $500.

Sam Wah was also a witness for Huie Taong. He was in the hop business and a partner in the California Restaurant which he described as the best business in town. The prices were so low for hops the last two years that he borrowed $700 from Huie Taong.

Huie Taong’s application was approved on in late November 1908 and a few weeks late he left for China.

Huie Taong returned to Ellensburg in November 1909.  In his interview for admission, he said that while he was in China he and his wife had adopted a seven-year-old boy named Huie Hong Jack whose birthplace in China was not known.

Huie Taong applied for another trip to China in November 1912. He based his application on having a $1,000 deposit at the Washington National Bank of Ellensburg. His Return Certificate was approved.

Huie Taong returned to China in October 1913. His wife had died and he remarried. His current wife and adopted son were in China.

In July 1920 Hui Taong, now using his complete name, Huie Doo Taong, was the chief owner and manager of a large restaurant wanted to change his status from laborer to merchant so he could bring his family to the U.S.  He asked his lawyer, Mr. E. E. Wagen, to help him. Wagen told him that since he managed a large restaurant and did no manual labor, he should be considered a merchant under the Chinese Exclusion Law. The New York Café, did between $40,000 and $50,000 in business per year.

Wagen checked with Hon. Henry M. White, Commissioner of Immigration who told the attorney the rules and documents needed:

“The practice is for the father to have drawn up an affidavit by himself in which his present status is described and information given as to his right of domicile in the country. In this affidavit he should mention something about his family in China, especially the son he purposes having join him in this country. To this affidavit there should be attached a photograph of both the father and the son. The foregoing paper should be supplemented by the joint affidavit of two white persons who the status of the father during the last past year. These men should be prepared to state definitely what the particular daily work of the applicant has been during the year. The practice is to prepare the affidavit in duplicate, to send the duplicate to this office for filing and future use, and the original to the boy in China to be used by him in obtaining transportation to the country.”

“Under the supreme court decision which permits the minor sons of exempts to come to this country, it is particularly stated that they are admitted to assume the exempt status of their resident parent. Under the law, therefore, such persons cannot become laborers while in the United States. It would be contrary to the law for Huie Doo Taong to bring his son to this country to place him in school for a short time, and then to have him work as a laborer, no matter if working for him in his own restaurant.”1

After hearing that he qualified as a merchant, Huie Doo Taong started the process to bring his son, Huie Hong Jack, to the U.S. to continue his education. Attorney Wagen swore in an affidavit that he knew Huie personally, that Huie had done no manual labor in the last year, and he had filed Huie’s income tax return with an income of more than $90,000 for the café for the year 1919. Huie filed an affidavit with all the pertinent information and included photos of himself and his son. The paperwork was approved and Huie sent it to the Consulate in Hongkong.  

Huie Hong Jack arrived at the Port of Seattle on 6 January 1921. He completed the interrogation process but was found to have hookworm. He received hospital treatment and when he was certified disease free, he was admitted to the U.S. as the minor son of a domiciled Chinese merchant on 28 January 1921.

Huie Taong made is final trip to China in December 1923 and there is no indication from his file that he returned to the United States.

Thank you, National Archives CEA volunteer, Lily Eng, for alerting me to this file and making copies for me. Lily’s grandfather worked at the New York Café as a waiter and became a partner in the early 1930s. Her father worked there when he first immigrated to the U.S. until he started his own restaurant in Yakima in 1951.

  1. “White to Wagen, Correspondence 35038/372, 19 July 1920,” CEA, RG 85, NARA-Seattle, Huie Taong, file 31-223.