Shanghai [Municipality] - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Seeking Portuguese decendants in Shanghai

drkristiebrandt — 2013-03-14 03:58:33Z

I am searching for a genealogic expert on the Macanese people, particularly those who moved to Shanghai. I want to find information on the date and location of the death of my great-grandmother Paulina Antónia de Arriaga da Fonseca, born 28 July 1862 in Macau, and later may have moved to Shanghai. Sometime in 1947-1949, my grandmother was notified by telegram of her mother's death in an internment camp. If anyone can offer suggestions, please let me know.

Re: Public Works - Shanghai Municipal Council

duguyango — 2012-08-20 11:48:01Z

Since posting my first post, last year, I went twice to The National Archives at Kew. If you go on the NA website and put in Shanghai AND Council and search, you will be taken to a page with a list, the top being "FO Records Created or Inherited by the Foreign Office 69 records". Click on the "69" and you will see masses of "FO 371/***** OR ******. The first time I went to the NA, I registered and got to know the set up there. The second time, I pre-ordered some of the above records stated (you can pre-order up to 10) and I found the pension compensation records for James Edward Morgan. There are a lot of records for a lot of families and it is worth going there.

Italians In Shanghai 1930-1949

jes5026 — 2012-04-27 18:47:37Z

Looking for information on Italian families in Shanghai between 1930 and 1949.

My step grandfather lived and worked there and I am looking for more information.

English records in Shanghai c. 1850

sprintsprite — 2012-04-21 20:35:07Z

Hello;

I am researching a Captain John Townsend (merchant marine (?) for the Pacific & Orient Company) and his wife Eliza Ann (Bennett) whose daughter, Eliza Ann Townsend, is believed to have been born in Shanghai, China in 1854. Eliza's mother died (unknown where) and Eliza attended school in England before being sent to live with her uncle, Dr. Thomas Bennett, in San Francisco, California in 1866. I am seeking information on how to go about research of records of British subjects living in China in 1840-1860. Suggestions?

Re: Public Works - Shanghai Municipal Council

bevkinman — 2012-03-07 21:45:40Z

Hi Karen, found your connection to Lowe family. I'm really interested in the info about Alfred Denny Lowe. We have a family member Maud Lowe who's marriage certificate states "father - Alfred Lowe, tea taster". The marriage took place in 1901 and Alfred Lowe is listed as deceased.

We can't prove anything formally, but it would seem possible that Maud Lowe born London 1885 was his daughter.

From the memorial it says he went out to Shanghai 25 years previous to 1909 which would be around 1884 and with Maud being born 1885, he may or may not have known of her existence. It could of course all be co-incidence but I think it unlikely for their to be two Alfred Lowe's who were tea tasters?

Any thoughts or other info you may have would be greatly appreciated........ hope to hear from you.

Re: location of 300 Route Wen Ling in Shanghai

cmdevillier — 2012-02-16 01:30:49Z

WinLing is now Wanping. Wanping hotel is located at 315 Wanping Road: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&client=f...

Haiphong Rd, Shanghai

jessblackley — 2012-02-13 13:30:31Z

Does anyone know if Haiphong Rd still exists in Shanghai?
My father was a POW at the Haiphong Rd Prison Camp 1942-1945. I did google search & couldn't find a "Haiphong Rd" in Shanghai-just wondering if it has been renamed?
Thank you in advance!

location of 300 Route Wen Ling in Shanghai

judybie — 2012-02-08 19:18:33Z

A friend and I are going to China in April. She was born there in 1935 and would like to find the house where she was born.
Route Wen Ling was in the French district. Her brother Eugene, told her that the address is near a large hotel-and he did visit the house:unfortunately he does not have the address.
Her father was Wen-han Wei in China the normal way is Wei Wen-han (I do not know if this is still true)

Can anyone suggest how to find this location in 2012

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

karenweir52 — 2012-02-07 20:13:32Z

AH, Very interesting. I had the name of Dachang Cemetery in my notes and had wondered. Indeed he did have relatives in Shanghai, but anyone living now only knew that he had indeed died in Shanghai and had been buried at Bubbling Well Rd Church Cemetery, I knew that the are had been turned into a park and total demolition occured during the cultural revolution. While it seems some families were told and given opportunity to move their loved ones to other cemeteries. , I feel certain that there were number of families who were not contacted or possibly had no means of re-interring their family member. With this information you just told me about, I feel that possibly this is all I can hope to know. I am glad you wrote, I had spent the entire morning reading and looking and this is only one morning of hundreds of hours trying to find information on him and his burial place. So thank you for all your efforts. I do know his wife, went back to the U.K. and is buried in Hove.

Sobel, Please Answer.

ErikDBJohnson — 2012-02-07 18:53:20Z

Hello,

I have some Greek and Russia ancestors. I can only trace back to my great-grandmother in that area. I do know that her name was Natalie Lilyan Sobel, and she was born in Irkutsk, Russia, on December 3rd, 1911 or 1913. In 1933, she traveled to America. Later that year, she traveled back to Asia, but instead of going to Siberia, she went to Shanghai, China. Her mother, whose initals are Mrs. I Sobel, was staying at the Hamilton House. She may have had some authority at the Hamilton House, because she was rich. In 1935, Natalie Lilyan Sobel gave birth to my grandmother, Marie-Louise Sobel. The father is unknown.

Please, I would love any help in this area.

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

ErikDBJohnson — 2012-02-07 18:46:41Z

They were moved to Dachang Cemetery between 1953-4. I clicked on Dachang Cemetery. What came up was in Chinese, so I translated it. It says:

"The large field cemetery is located in Baoshan District, Shanghai Dachang Town road 18, Lane opposite the 1-2 South, South Ho, Shanghai-Nanjing Railway branch line railroad tracks north side, built in the Republic of China (1936), twenty-five years, covers an area of 133,333 square meters. The Republic of the National Cemetery, 1956 for the state, in turn Hongqiao Cemetery, 1958 Eight Immortals Bridge Cemetery moved to merge. The Longhua 24 Martyrs had buried here in 1950 and 1951, and in 1972 moved to the Martyrs' Cemetery (now known as the Longhua Martyrs Cemetery). Cemetery destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, now has a white home appliances and Technology Industrial Park, Shanghai the speeding Copper and Aluminum Material Co., Ltd., Shanghai Metal Materials Company field warehouse, permanent Bicycle Manufacturing Co., Ltd.. Cemetery of the original four-door, now the cemetery does not exist, leaving only one like the arch-shaped Shimen.

The cemetery now Shimen through 7.98 m long, a total height of 3.84 meters, 0.75 meters wide, covering an area of 6.05 m2. Door pillars three meters high, 0.7 meters wide, 3.15 m high arch, drum stones composed of type main and sides of the porch, the whole body, wrapped in a layer of concrete cement masonry material, Gallery Top wavy, on both sides of the drum stone was the ear-shaped, lime paint and brush in the two column and drum stones.

Large field cemetery is now ruins, Shimen well preserved"

If Alfred Denny Lowe had relatives in Shanghai, it is possible that they had his gravestone moved. The Chinese obliterated most of the names on the gravestones, but Mr. Lowe's gravestone could have been preserved.

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

karenweir52 — 2012-02-07 15:04:34Z

GREAT!!! I will go look

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

ErikDBJohnson — 2012-02-07 15:03:15Z

It let me view it. I see that some graves were moved to another cemetery...maybe one of those was ADL.

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

karenweir52 — 2012-02-07 11:41:58Z

thanks, and I will check out the mentioned site

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

barbarad98 — 2012-02-07 09:30:24Z

Have you tried the cemetery search on Robert Bickers' site?
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/history/customs/ancestors/
It is not only for people who served in the Customs Service.
You may be lucky.

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

ErikDBJohnson — 2012-02-07 03:15:51Z

You are very much welcome. And by the way, my name isn't Erik...I'm just using a relatives' account.

I also read somewhere else that the stones were moved somewhere in the suburbs, but the actual graves were never dug up. If you ever visit Jingan Park, you'll know that you're walking on your ancestors grave, however offensive that might actually sound.

This is funny, but I could have had an ancestor at Bubbling Well Road Cemetery or another one in Shanghai, because I have a Greek ancestor who lived at the Hamilton House in Shanghai. All I can find of her is part of her name... Mrs. I Sobel. (I think the 'I' might be Irene or Iris)

If you ever want anymore help, you can find me at kmajohnson4@gmail.com.

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

karenweir52 — 2012-02-06 19:40:25Z

wow-Eric that is a wonderful photo, imagine all those souls mis-placed. I was recently told by someone who lives near the park, that there were no longer any monuments there. I was reading online somewhere, but failed to document where, that some family members who could be contacted were told that they were going to remove the bodies and at that time the family could decide where they desired to re-inter their family member. Assuming it would be nearly impossible to find everyone and there may have been no one left to contact..that the Chinese just literally destroyed the place known as a burial place. I am fairly certain that my ancestor was cremated, but the cremated remains, still, were at one time buried in that cemetery that was then Bubbling Well Rd Church Cemetery. He even lived on Bubbling Well Rd and it was known he did at time of burial have a tombstone. If you would look that would be great. I dont expect to ever find him., but appreciate your kind effort. Thanks

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

ErikDBJohnson — 2012-02-06 18:06:42Z

I also found a picture of Bubbling Well Rd. Cemetery here:

http://www.virtualshanghai.net/Photos/Images?ID=1835

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

ErikDBJohnson — 2012-02-06 18:00:05Z

I found a link to a soldier here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bamford

It says that he was buried at Bubbling Well Rd. Cemetery, but now a shopping centre stands on the site.

I can help you look more if you want me to.

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

karenweir52 — 2012-02-06 12:39:59Z

yes, Was a place of burial. I must wonder what happened to those people buried there. SAD. I did not know the name of the park, so thank you.

Re: Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

ErikDBJohnson — 2012-02-06 03:13:23Z

I don't know if this will help much, but Bubbling Well Rd. Cemetery was opened between 1880 and 1953, and was home to over 5,500 foreign graves. It is now Jingan Park.

Bubbling Well Road Cemetery

karenweir52 — 2012-01-17 22:54:53Z

Hello, I am researching family , and Our ancestor Alfred Denny Lowe, who was born Feb 14, 1863 in Uffington England, died Oct 19, 1909 at his home on Bubbling Well Rd . His remains were buried in Bubbling Well Rd Cemetery. I was hoping, , really hoping to one day be able to get a picture of the cemetery and his tombstone. Recently it was made known to me that during the cultural revolution, the Chinese were encouraged to destroy anything having to do with imperialism and this included the cemetery. I now must question where all the people that were buried there are now? I hope they were moved and re-interred and if not, then what? Is there any records or any way to find out where he might be buried now? This is disturbing.

Re: Henry Smith Bidwell

SimonDrakeford — 2012-01-14 15:10:49Z

Hi Jessie

My guess is he was in Shanghai with the Army, liked what he found and stayed by joining the Police.

I will keep an eye open for him in February when I get into detail with rugby team lists.

If you send me the unidentified team photo, if it is from Shanghai I may well be able to identify it.

Regards
Simon

Re: Henry Smith Bidwell

jessblackley — 2012-01-14 14:08:19Z

My father Gardner Bell Blackley was in the Seaforth Highlanders 1931-1938. "B" Company 8 Platoon.
Shanghai Munipal Police from 1938-1942.
Civilian prisoner of war at the Haiphong Rd prison camp 1942-1945. He left Shanghai after the war.
I have 2 photos of him & his football/rugby team taken in 1934. One photo taken in 1934 was in Jerusalem & has the names of his team mates. The other photo has no names or date. If you wish to see these photos, I would be happy to send them directly to you at your email address when I get home tomorrow.
Regards,
Jessie

Re: Henry Smith Bidwell

SimonDrakeford — 2012-01-14 13:30:38Z

Hi Jess

I haven't come across your father. The Police had a team and the Seaforth Highlanders were also in Shanghai and played rugby there in the late 1930s.

When was your Father in Shanghai? I can keep an eye open for his name. I am about to dive into the 1930s...

Regards

Simon

Re: Henry Smith Bidwell

karenweir52 — 2012-01-14 12:28:59Z

I have not, sorry

Re: Henry Smith Bidwell

jessblackley — 2012-01-14 12:05:01Z

Hi Simon,
Just wondering if you have come across my father Gardner Bell Blackley in your research. I don't know if he played rugby in the Shanghai Rugby Club but he did play rugby when he was a member in the Seaforth Highlanders. He was a Detective Sargeant in the Shanghai Municipal Police.
Regards,
Jess

Re: Henry Smith Bidwell

SimonDrakeford — 2012-01-14 09:36:35Z

Hi

I am researching the history of Shanghai Rugby Club in which the Bidwell's make several appearances.

I have nothing to add on Henry, he does appear to be quite elusive! I would quite like a little more information on the divorce.

I have been in contact with Barrie Martin whose mother was a Bidwell and is related to the people you mention.

Through Barrie I have passed the information I have to some Bidwells in the UK.

I am writing a book about the history of the rugby club and feature the Martin / Bidwell family. Find attached an extract for your private information. Any extra info you have would be good to have.

If you email me, I can send you a draft copy of what I have written simon@drakefords.com .

Regards

Simon Drakeford

Re: Seeking Portuguese decendants in Shanghai

barbarad98 — 2011-12-30 06:30:58Z

Unfortunately,I have only just found this thread. I hope you are still out there monitoring it!
I live in Australia but I have ancestors who lived in Macau and then moved to Shanghai. I do not have dates but I think they may have moved sometime around 1880-1890. Surnames are Calasso and dos Remedios. I would be thrilled to learn anything more about them.

Re: Henry Smith Bidwell

karenweir52 — 2011-12-28 20:57:12Z

please do ask your cousin then for more info, would be delighted to have copies ..

Re: Henry Smith Bidwell

karenweir52 — 2011-12-28 20:45:50Z

I am extremely thrilled that you responded to my query. I am probably not able to assist you much, but we are definately talking about the same family. So what I have, and feel free to correct me if you might know something I don't include, Henry Smith Bidwell, was born Feb 8, 1846, in England, where in Eng, I dont know, died sometime just like you say in the 1940s but when exactly is unclear..do you know if he died in Shanghai or someplace in China? His parents were Henry Bidwell and Jesse Smith Bidwell, that is literally all I know of them. Henry Smith Bidwell was baptized Aug 16, 1848 St Giles England, he married Charolotta Adele Stewart Fabris...( do you know where the Stewart name comes from )? she was born abt 1833? died? The family info I have says that Mr Henry Smith Bidwell was married to Irene Lebas...( but they have no records or dates or names of her parents) I am currently communicating with family in UK, who say the mother of Mr Bidwell's children was Ms Lebas...yet I find these records indicating Charlotta Adele Stewart Fabris,, so as you can see, I am confused and have mixed thoughts about what is correct, and who is this Irene Lebas, then?

The children I have listed for children of Henry Smith Bidwell are, Geraldine M Bidwell, b circa 1871 China, died June 1946, married someone named Mr. Mayne? Or something like that...could Geraldine be Guinivere?

then I have Guy Dennison Fabris Stewart Bidwell, b circa 1872? China died? Married Jean Minnie? had a daughter Joan Doris Bidwell

Gwendoline Anne L. Bidwell, b July 1873, married a Mr La Barr? possibly mis-spelled.

Gertrude Adele Bidwell, b Oct 1878 Kent England, died May 31, 1950 Brighton, England, married April 6 1896 in Shanghai China, to Alfred Denny Lowe (1863-1909) he was a tea merchant, in Shanghai, born in the UK. , After his death Gertrude married James Ingraham

Gordon Stewart Valentine Bidwell, b circa 1878 Kent Eng, died March 1927 London England, married Marian Elizabeth Lowe (1861-1919) had a daughter Joan Bidwell, b 1907.

Gilford Arthur Fabris Bidwell, b Nov 4, 1882 Kent England, became a U.S Citizen July 9, 1917, came to the U.S. May 10, 1915 to San Francisco.California. Died July 17, 1947 Long Beach California, married Anna Marie ( maiden not known), had a son Edward W. Bidwell,
so this is what I know, and believe me it had been quite a challenge to obtain records, having made a contact in England has helped me some, in fact considerably, but the big mystery remains for me this person Irene Lebas....ALONG WITH OTHER QUESTIONS TOO, so it seems they were for the most part in import/ export business, some were in the tea business, others rubber planting business, etc, and if I am not mistaken one of the Bidwells owned a huge fleet of ships or something like that. Perhaps we can put our heads together and come up with more information for this family. Do you have any photos of the Bidwell children mentioned above and by you as well? I have a few and would be happy to share them via email, or regular mail, whichever. looking forward to hearing from you and though I did not have info for Henry and Jesse Bidwell, I hope I have enlightened you in some way.

Re: Henry Smith Bidwell

emilybid_99 — 2011-12-28 19:06:55Z

Hi,
Henry Smith Bidwell was my grandfather's grandfather. My grandfather was Harold Bidwell and his father was Gordon Stuart Valentine Bidwell, the son of Carlotta Adele Stuart Fabris and Henry Smith Bidwell. We are looking for information on Henry Smith Bidwell too because we have got to him and can get no further! What we do know is that he had six children: Guy, Gwendoline, Gordon, Guinevere, Gertrude and Guilford. When Carlotta and Henry Smith got divorced (becasue of cruelty and abuse) she got custody of 5 of the children and he took Guy (the oldest) with him down towards Hong Kong. After this he seemed to file a lot of law suits suing various companies but not winning and ended his life destitute as far as we are aware. I think he died in his 40s...? At the moment we are trying to find out about his parents Henry and Jesse (?). We would love any information about these two. I have a bit more info on Henry Smith Bidwell but would have to get in touch with my cousin who has it all gathered together!
Emily

Henry Smith Bidwell

karenweir52 — 2011-11-28 12:50:36Z

Seeking information on Henry Smith Bidwell, born Feb 8, 1846 England, he is believed to have died in Shanghai China, he was a prominent business man in Shanghai., and might have been involved in the tea merchant business, I am unsure if he married twice, one family member is unsure of her name and thought it could be Irene Lebas. ( I dont know about this name and dont find any evidence of her) however I find a Charlotte Adele Fabris Stewart, born about 1833 and I think Mr Bidwell married her. The National Archives in Kew has a record ( wifes petition for divorce) , shows appleant as Charlotte Adele Bidwell and respondant as Henry Smith Bidwell, which makes it fairly evident that these two were married, I know of two children for certain that belong to Henry Smith Bidwell, and they were Guy Dennison Fabris Stewart Bidwell, b about 1872, and I find not one more thing about him, and a daughter Gertrude Adele Bidwell (1878-1950) she was born in Shanghai, she married Alfred Denny Lowe, a tea taster & merchant from England, who died in Shanghai

I did find other children that are possibly children of Mr Henry Smith Bidwell, a Charlotte Mary Bidwell b 1854, Emma Marion Bidwell, b 1855, Gwendoline Anne, b 1873 and Gordon Stewart Valentine Bidwell, 1879-1927., but nothing more found about these children, I am unsure of Mr Bidwell's parents but believe his father could be a Henry Bidwell and his mother Jesse Smith, and nothing is found on either of them. I find no one researching this family and little else is known about Henry Smith Bidwell or his wife and this MS . Lebas, if indeed he was married to someone with that name is truly unknown to me. If anyone has the time to check any records or knows of this family, I would appreciate any help. Thanks so much, in advance

Chinese Railways run by British in 1930

Cleekamin — 2011-11-15 10:44:04Z

William John Black was born in Scotland in 1886 and married Jessie Wishart there in 1918. they are recorded on a sea voyage between Shanghai and Canada in 1933 and he is believed to have worked on the Tientsin Pukow Railway, Pukow, Nanking, China. His sister Jane Fraser Black is believed to have died in Shanghai in 1920. They were the children of a country schoolmaster from the Angus Glens and clearly suffered from the famous Scottish travel bug. I would appreciate any information which is available on either of them as they are proving very hard to track.

William and Jessie had at least one daughter who died in Arbroath in 1995 so there are likely descendants out there who know why they were travelling in China between the World Wars.

Edgar Bruce Green (de Woolfson)

ibbotson1947 — 2011-11-09 20:13:44Z

I looking for information on Edgar Bruce Green, Harbour master in Shangahi & Tienstin 1920-30's. Edgar was born in England as Edgar Bruce Green de Woolfson but was only using the name Green. He had 2 children born Shanghai...Norman Cecil Bruce Green & Joyce Bruce Green.

I found a article relating to Joyce which said she and the family were living in the bund? Shanghai

In 1925 Edgar's mother Elizabeth Green de Woolfson, and sisters Linda Mary & May Elizabeth left England for Shangahi, I assume to join Edgar's and family. I have also found marriage records showing Linda & May married in Shanghai.

Any information relating to Edgar's time as Harbour Master or anything relating to the families time in Shanghai would be appreciated. Kind regards David

Lilyan Sobel

ErikDBJohnson — 2011-10-14 19:06:13Z

Hello,
I am fairly new to ancestry, and I have found a lot on my fathers side. But I can't seem to find past my great grand mother, Natalie Lilyan Sobel. Does anyone have any information regarding her? I know that she was born in Irkutsk, Russia, on Dec 3, either 1911 or 1913, and that she later traveled to New York and stayed there for a few years. Later, she returned to Shanghai and shortly after that, she gave birth to my grandmother. I discovered that her mother's name may have began with I. Does anyone have any information regarding Natalie Lilyan Sobel further?

shanghai public works

typhoon15 — 2011-08-03 13:49:31Z

hi i was hoping u may be able to help me find my father in a directory or archive . he worked for the shanghai public works in the late 1920s to early 30s. his name was reginald stuart buchan. i have not had much luck tracking him down. thanks

Re: Public Works - Shanghai Municipal Council

karenweir52 — 2011-07-26 22:26:53Z

Thanks, I will surely try

Re: Public Works - Shanghai Municipal Council

duguyango — 2011-07-26 22:19:24Z

Yes its the one on Ancestry with a family of 5 Lowes and the mother is shown as Mrs A D Lowe. I also found another of an Alfred D Lowe returning from the United States and shown to be a Merchant.

I suggest you try Greg Leck of "Captives of Empire".

Re: Public Works - Shanghai Municipal Council

karenweir52 — 2011-07-26 21:59:02Z

is it the passenger list on ancestry website? If it is yes, I found that, if it is something somewhere else please let me know. Thanks

Re: Public Works - Shanghai Municipal Council

duguyango — 2011-07-26 21:54:10Z

I think I have found your Lowe family in a passenger list. If you trust me with your email address, I can send you the details.

Re: Public Works - Shanghai Municipal Council

duguyango — 2011-07-26 21:38:23Z

Have you tried contacting Greg Leck of "Captives of Empire ..."? He was the person who found out that my James Edward was on board the SS "Strathmore". Perhaps your relative ended up in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. If you go on his website, on the right-hand side is a contact hyperlink for him. He was very helpful.

For Robert Bickers, if you Google Robert Bickers, Professor of Bristol University, it will give you a link and go from there.

Re: Public Works - Shanghai Municipal Council

karenweir52 — 2011-07-26 20:46:09Z

would like to have the address of the man who specializes in China history, perhaps he can help me with what I am looking for.......thanks

Re: Public Works - Shanghai Municipal Council

karenweir52 — 2011-07-26 20:41:43Z

so glad you found the information you were seeking. I too am looking for an ancestor Alfred Denny Lowe, b Feb 14, 1863 in Newstead House near Stamford England. He was apprenticed to a large tea firm , was a tea merchant & tea taster or " Chasee" for the House of Jardin, Mattheson & Co, for nine years, later worked for Greaves & Co LTD, and Geddes and Co in Shanghai China, he was Managing Director of the Shanghai Ice Cold and Storage Refrigeration Co and an active member for years of the Shanghai Municipal Council. He died in Shanghai, and I have been trying to find out more about him and where they buried him. I dont even know his wifes' name for sure, but he had a daughter born in China whose name was Esme Gertrude Lowe, and she married there in Shanghai to Mr William Burns Cowan Glen, , Who had a business called Plantation Agencies LTD in Penang Malaysia,, so so far it has been very difficult to find any information.

Re: Shanghai Arrival Manifests??

EileenScully1 — 2011-06-23 06:24:08Z

Hi, my sense is that, at least before WWI, in both HK and Shanghai, the Customs officials were inspecting ships and cargo, but not actually generating passenger arrival lists. US consuls in HK and Shanghai kept track of US vessel arrivals, but did not include info on passengers.

Passenger arrivals (and departures) were announced in the daily English-language papers, in both HK and Shanghai. Passenger vessels often stopped in HK before going up to Shanghai. The passenger arrival/departure info from HK is more available to us than for Shanghai, as the HK newspapers back to the 1850s have been digitalized and made available online through the Hong Kong Public Library Multimedia project
http://hkclweb.hkpl.gov.hk/hkclr2/internet/eng/html/welcome....

The HKPL search engine for this collection is not yet user-friendly. It takes trial-and-error, and is basically NOT keyword-searchable.

Perhaps a sideways approach would be useful: look in Ancestry passenger arrival databases for your ancestors returning to a US or UK port from Shanghai or Hong Kong.

Using the details from that document pinpoint the date their vessel departed from HK or Shanghai, then check out the HK newspaper over a 3-4 day range of that departure date.

Quickest, search Google-News (Archives), which brings up results dating back to 1850.

Re: Joe Farren - Shanghai

EileenScully1 — 2011-06-23 05:33:08Z

North China Herald, 25 Sept 1940, 493. A case in the US Court for China against E.T. “Jack” Riley, 17 counts of running gambling enterprise, contrary to the laws of the District of Columbia (Shanghai, like Washington DC, for purposes of exercising jurisdiction of US nationals in China). Riley was owner of D.D. Enterprises, unable to furnish US$25,000 bail, so put in jail. An article at the time in China Weekly Review said Farrens Ltd on Great Western Rd was partly owned by foreigners; Shanghai Municipal Council later wrote to the US Consul there saying that owners included one American.

On Google--books, there are snippet views of the Chinese Weekly Review article, There are documents on Farren and Farren's in the Shanghai Municipal Police (microfilmed, available through large university libraries and/or national archives) http://www.rickshaw.org/shanghai_municipal_police_record.htm

There's interesting stuff on Farren and Farren's on Google News. (Google--News--Search Shanghai, Farren's--select Archives option on left hand side of the screen).

Joe Farren - Shanghai

JacquiMills28 — 2011-06-14 12:12:40Z

Joe (born Josef Pollak, Vienna, 1893) moved to Shanghai in the 1920s. He created stunning floor shows and chorus lines in nightclubs and later set up his own casino, Farren's. He was imprisoned in Bridge House by the Japanese and died there in about 1942. Any information welcome about Joe or his wife/cabaret dancer Nellie Farren.

Family History

KelvinLi13 — 2011-04-20 18:09:48Z

Hi, I'm looking for possible information on my Grandfather in Shanghai China. His name is Li Quan De and he was born in Nov 1, 1918. He died awhile back in 2008 I think. He was married to Wang Xue Lan, who was born on Sep 19, 1927. She died sometime in 1996. They had 4 kids together. One who is my father who was born on July 3, 1959. I'm trying to find out when they got married and possibly when their deaths were and who their parents were. Any information found would be much appreciated. Thanks

Shanghai Arrival Manifests??

gracekin — 2011-01-30 21:29:22Z

I have a photo of two of my ancestors in Shanghai from around the 1880s.

I'm pretty positive we have identified who they are from more recent 1910s US passport photos but I was wondering if there is any type of arrival manifests I could find for Shanghai.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

:-)

Re: Searching for documentation in Shanghai

richardp2551 — 2011-01-03 09:24:35Z

Hi Sue,
The records we found in Harbin relate to permits or identity papers that everyone had to carry. They had a photo of the person and children if any and contained a potted history of the person. I am at present on Norfolk Island but will be back on the mainland in March. If you email me (richard.payne36233 at gmail.com) mid March I will send a record sheet to you so you can see what they are like.
At present we have been going down the DNA route with Family Tree DNA.com. Not too expensive and very interesting. Just found that one of my mother's parents was Jewish. Don't know whether it was the Vinogradov male or his wife. The test brought up a list of cousins but none really close.
Regards, Richard.