Since dad has started the tracing-our-family-tree thing, mum began her investigation work of tracing hers as well. It is definitely easier for mum to do so since my grandma is still around and she goes back to China quite often. So, the story of how the Lees move to Malaysia begins..
It all began when grandmum was still in great-grandma's stomach. There was war between China and Japan. You know how it gets cruel and dirty when Japan comes into the picture during war. Great grandpa left China first but great grandma couldn't because she was pregnant. In those days, you need to queue up and register to get the pass to leave China. Greatgrandpa's friend who is my mum's best friend's relative helped him to register since he had money. So he managed to escape and run to Sarawak in a boat or ship or something like that.
So anyways, grandma was still in China. Great grandpa returned to China shortly after to help bring greatgrandma out but to no avail, of course. So grandpa came back to Kuching and grandma was born. So for 13 years, grandma never seen his father before! She had to eat a sweet potato a day to survive. She remembers seeing piles of dead bodies stacked over one another. Sometimes soldiers would even make people queue up in a row and they'll drive pass and chop of their heads! Ladies were rapped like it's a norm thing. The sound of bomb resonates through the air often. That was the kind of life she was living, until 13 years later when she was 13. The war ended and great grandpa went back to China to bring them to Sarawak. And that was also the poignant moment of the first union between a father and daughter!
Life in Kuching was MUCH better of course.! Grandma is always fearful of war, hence in the beginning years, she still have all the clothes stored! Just in case if war erupts!
Now my grandpa's side. My great grandma could do kungfu! You know the chinese traditional red rock-heavy sandals, the one you get in Malacca for decoration these days. She used that to hit the immigration officer and he fainted instantly. That was how she and the whole troop managed to come in to Kuching too.! Funny huh? Sadly, my grand uncle who is the eldest of the family need to be sent back to China after few years because they want to ensure that there will still be Lee's seed left in China. The Chinese say,s "chuan zhong jie dai"! They 'tricked' him back. He is now 92 or so.!
Super cool! Get to know your family history and share some stories with me!!
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The Ch'ng family in China. Dad called them on the first day of new year to verify their identity. Gosh, they are really my extended relatives!! They were so elated to know that asked us to go back for a reunion, in China.
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