SEY Willie

Description

Biographical informationSey Willie (aka Say Willie) was born in about 1869 in Hainan, China. He migrated to Western Australia in 1892. He was five feet four inches in height.

He worked as a waiter at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Perth, from 1896 to 1899. He applied for a CEDT in July 1899.

He was employed as a cook by the Weld Club, Barrack Street, Perth, from at least 1911 to 1928. In 1925 he held the title to a market garden at Canning Location 2, Lot 31.

He travelled overseas three times: December 1904 to January 1906; December 1911 to April 1913; and July 1928 to March 1930.

He was admitted to Perth hospital on Wednesday 9th September 1931 in ill-health. He was discharged, returned home the same day, but then disappeared. His fully clothed body was found in the Swan River on the 10th September. The cause of death was drowning.Other nameSey, Willie (differentiated name)SAY Willie (also known as)Date of birth1869Date of death9th September 1931

Document

AAC-Box-004-Binder-1-0315

AAC-Box-007-8-0106

Box-007-Sorb-Box-0495

Found in Swan River: Body of Chinese Cook

Notice of Presentation of Petition for Sale of Land for Non-Payment of Rates

Sey Willie aged 59 in 1928 from his CEDT paperwork (source: NAA: K1145, 1928/72)

Employment

Job titleCookDate employed[date unknown]

Connections

Subject (organisation)Weld Club, PerthPrince of Wales Hotel, PerthSubject (place)Barrack Street, PerthSubject (topic)Chinese heritage in Western AustraliaWaiterCookRelated collectionAnne Atkinson CollectionRelated linkNAA CoD File 1904NAA CEDT File 1911NAA CEDT File 1928NAA Immigration File 1911-1930 <Not digitised #4317134>Trove article on his death

Item information

ContributorSchool of Social SciencesSource of informationAsian immigrants to Western Australia, 1829-1901 (Atkinson, 1988)Additional research by David Mizen

Significant place

RelationPlace of birthPlaceHainanDate1869

Significant place

RelationImmigrated toPlaceAustraliaDate1892 (WA)

UWA Collected

SEY Willie

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA