Celebrating Our Roots

Journey from China to Kauai: A Family's Heritage

Discover the inspiring story of Chock Chin’s journey to save his family in China and build a new kind of life in the lush island Kingdom of Hawaii in the early 19th century. 

Stories of Courage, Sacrifice, Vision, and Grace

The Dynasties of China

Understand the world inhabited by our ancestors, who each took their place in the family in a China being shaped and controlled by the dynastic ruler of their day.  Starting with the first emperor, Yu the Great -- founder of the Xia Dynasty in 2070 BC  (pictured here)...

Noteworthy Tang Ancestors

Another famous Tang: Tang Shao Yi The Tang clan of Tang Jia Village was well known in the area. As Louise Skyles told me, "While most of the villagers in the area just barely survived and went overseas to make a living, the Tang clan sent their members overseas to...

Chock Chin’s Historical World

To really understand Chock Chin, we must come to understand the world he lived in. His historical context helps us interpret the way he organized his family, the way he interacted with his community, his business practices, his dreams and ambitions, and ultimately the...
Char Siu Bao – Steamed Pork Buns

Char Siu Bao – Steamed Pork Buns

  These are not hard to make, but you really need to pay attention to the ingredients if you want them to taste like the kind you get at a Chinese bakery or dim sum house.  And if you don't have a bamboo steamer, this recipe is reason enough to get one....

read more
Pork & Shrimp Siu Mai

Pork & Shrimp Siu Mai

Pork siu mai are one of the “Guangdong Big Three,” along with shrimp dumplings and steamed pork buns, a true staple of the original Cantonese dim sum tradition. My brother and I and our spouses went on a Dim Sum vacation a few years ago to San Francisco, and just ate...

read more

Explore the History

Migration Tales

Cultural Traditions

Family Stories

Historical Insights

Join Our Community of Storytellers

Share your unique journey or connect with others who have stories about your own immigrant ancestor from China.