Showing Records: 1 - 10 of 17
Oral History Interview with Angela Ng, 2004-01-20
File
Identifier: 2014.036.009
Abstract
Angela Ng immigrated to the United States in 1970 from Hong Kong and worked as a unionized garment worker for over 25 years. In the interview, she describes her work and experience as a garment worker, and talks about the changes happening in the garment industry. She also discusses union benefits, work conditions, family life for workers, pay, and job availability.
On September 11th, 2001, Angela was working at the garment factory when she noticed a plane fly too low overhead and heard an...
Dates:
2004-01-20
Oral History Interview with Anonymous, 1993-07-01
Item
Identifier: 1994.007.002
Abstract
In this interview, the narrator relates her life story with a backdrop of generations of her family history. She describes Vietnam, living in Saigon, the Vietcong takeover, the process of her family fleeing, and immigrating to America as a refugee. The narrator discusses her entrepreneurial pursuits by evaluating each business that she started along with each demise. She looks at the real estate business in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn; providing general rent information and...
Dates:
1993-07-01
Oral History Interview with Anonymous, 1993-07-01
Item
Identifier: 1994.007.003
Abstract
In this interview, the narrator provides an overview of her life; both before and after immigrating to New York City from Hong Kong. She discusses her childhood and private schooling in Kowloon, her decision to move to America with her husband and her trip to New York City in the 1960s. The narrator recounts the evolution of her career; from typist, to bridal gown seamstress, to art gallery owner. She offers her thoughts on parenting and practical home economics and provides an overview of...
Dates:
1993-07-01
Oral History Interview with Biying Ni, 2015-12-04
Item
Identifier: 2016.037.016
Abstract
Ni Biying talks about her experiences growing up in China and her experience with food over the years as she survives the Japanese invasion from an early age and moves to the US to find work during her adulthood. She imparts interesting knowledge about the regional cuisine from Fujian, China (Fujianese food) and gives insight into the types of food eaten from her rural roots in China. She describes food eaten during times of poverty as well as the difficulties she experiences while trying to...
Dates:
2015-12-04
Oral History Interview with Guo Wa Chan, 1993-06-29
Item
Identifier: 1994.007.005
Abstract
In this interview, Guo Wa "Grace" Chan discusses her immigration and life in New York City. She focuses on her experiences as a businesswoman, detailing the launch of her video rental store. She mentions her husband ventures in the restaurant industry. Chan describes the entrepreneurial competition in Brooklyn Chinatown and real estate prices, commercial as well as residential. An educationally-focused mother, Chan evaluates the educational decisions she has made and the quality of local...
Dates:
1993-06-29
Oral History Interview with Han Ho Tran, 2008-03-13
Item
Identifier: 2008.040.010
Abstract
Mr. Tran emigrated from Vietnam and settled in Brooklyn, New York in 1990, three years after which he opened a family grocery business. Even though he had contracted a five-year lease that was projected to last until 2003, a new landlord took over the building in 1999 at which time Tran received an eviction notice. Ultimately, after seven years of successfully running his grocery business, Tran lost his grocery store—and with it his source of income—over a rent dispute. According to Tran and...
Dates:
2008-03-13
Oral History Interview with Joseph Chu, 2004-04-24
File
Identifier: 2014.036.008
Abstract
Joseph Wah Chu is a Chinese immigrant from Toishan County, Guangdong Province, China born in 1933. He grew up in Guangzhou and Hong Kong before eventually moving to the United States in 1965. In the United States, he worked in different cities such as San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City as a waiter and office worker. Joseph would eventually settle in New York City’s Chinatown, citing better job opportunities and existing friendships in NYC. In 1978, Joseph started working at the New...
Dates:
2004-04-24
Oral History Interview with Mak Shui Ka, 1993-11-13
Item
Identifier: 1994.007.015
Abstract
In this interview, Mak Shui Ka discusses her life history in Communist China; upbringing, schools, her family, and persecution, as well as her successes as a conscripted cadet. Mrs. Ka describes her life in America, which brought her first experiences with poverty and grave anti-Chinese discrimination. She describes an extensive anti-Chinese pogrom waged by the Italian members of the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn. In response, Ka helped organize a community protest event and delivered...
Dates:
1993-11-13
Oral History Interview with Miu Fei Li , 1993-12-19
Item
Identifier: 1994.007.020
Abstract
In this interview, Miu Fei Li discusses life since her 1981 immigration to New York City. She tells of the decision to immigrate to America as a twenty-two year-old newlywed; initial impressions of Manhattan; and attempts to learn English. She describes life and working conditions experienced as a garment factory seamstress and the benefits of being a union member. She talks about her work schedule; which played roles in fostering her husband gambling addiction and their subsequent divorce....
Dates:
1993-12-19
Oral History Interview with Mr. and Mrs. Chan, 2008-03-07
Item
Identifier: 2008.040.018
Abstract
Mr. and Mrs. Chan, founders and owners of the long established and renowned coffee
shop and restaurant, Mei Lai Wah, in New York’s Chinatown, are both Taishan natives, who
claim that New York, especially their restaurant, is home to them. Upon arrival, Mr. Chan
was employed at a bakery, the culinary training from which he later applied to his own business,
Mei Lai Wah. Mr. Chan explains that he runs his business like a family and has not changed anything since he first opened it in 1968. He...
Dates:
2008-03-07
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