Dear Nick

Do write to me at ( seowjsl @ pd . jaring . my )-- I'd like to take this dialogue further.

I have been searching for ages for information on Chung Keng Seng (also known as Thunder God Seng or Lui Kong Seng) whose line I believe you decend from. Accodring to CS Wong in a Gallery of Chinese Kapitans, when Keng Quee arrived in Perak he discovered that both his father and his brother were established and his brother was so famous that he had that incredible nikname. For a man as famous as that, surely history leaves some signs but I have found none as yet.

I do not know who Chung Seng Kee is but I think you refer to Chung Keng Seng unless another brother came over from China that I am unaware of. From what I know Chung Hsing Fa came over from China but when his wife had no news from him for a long time she sent her second son. Normally first sons remain to carry on the family name and to carry on work on the farm. All other sons are expendable. After she sent Keng Seng there was still no news so she sent Keng Quee. That would be around the 1841 when he arrived in what was then Malaya.

I'd love to have the name of Foo Choo Choons wife when you find it. That would make a lovely addition to my tree as well as the other info you have provided and I am happy to share whatever info I have or come across in future -- I am currently carrying out my research at the National Library of Malaysia and the National Archives of Malaysia but it is ponderous, slow-going work. I probably have some info on Foo Choo Choon but I have to look for it. Some of them are academic papers that I have found and related to tin mining and revenue farming (taxes for gambling and sale of liquor, opium, tin, carriage etc.)

Do you know how far back your mother's connection to Khoo Thean Teik begins?