QUAN SING YEE LOCK

Description

Biographical informationQuan Sing Yee Lock was born on the 6th July 1868 in Canton, China. He migrated to Western Australia on the 9th July 1888. He was the younger brother of Quan Sing Yee Chun.

He worked as a storekeeper in Derby when he applied for a CEDT in October 1898. It was noted that photographs were unable to be supplied as there was no photographer in Derby. He may have departed for Singapore in February 1899 (SRO, S675, Cons 527, 1898/2670) although Yee Lock later gave the dates as November 1898 to September 1899 (NAA, PP4/2, 1937/340).

He travelled overseas between August 1917 and May 1919. He arrived in Darwin and appears to have stayed there for a month before returning to Derby in June 1919. Three weeks after returning to Australia, he applied for another CEDT but did not use it to travel. His application stated he intended to visit China for three years (the limit for a CEDT).

He moved to Carnarvon, around September 1919 (Alien Registration File), and commenced a partnership with Yee Donson operating a general store in Olivia Terrace. His partnership with Yee Donson was dissolved in 1925 and Yee Lock took over the store.

In October 1923, he was still living in Carnarvon when he travelled to China with his nephew Kinton and nieces Susy and Ganae. He returned in December 1924 (the children stayed in China for longer).

By 1928, had lived in Derby, Darwin and Carnarvon. He sold his store to his nephews and moved to Broome (E).

Based on the recollections of his niece Suyu Coakley, in August 1929, Quan Sing Yee Chun and Yee Lock Quan Sing left for China. At this time Yee Lock Quan Sing was a storekeeper and baker in Port Hedland. The brothers remained in China for several years. When Yee Lock Quan Sing returned in May 1933 he advised Kimbly that Quan Sing Yee Chun had died in November 1932. (SRO, S59, Cons 3458, 1946/372). [Note: CEDTs would suggest that Yee Lock and Quan Sing left in November 1928 and Yee Lock returned in April 1930 (1928/84).]

He operated a store in Port Hedland for around 7 years during the 1930s. His declaration signed in 1937 as part of his CEDT application indicated he had lived in Roebourne (1 year), Derby (23 years), Carnarvon (15 years) and Port Hedland (7 years). References for his 1937 application declared, 'he has the reputation of being honest + straightforward in his dealings'. It is believed he also spent time in Darwin. His 1917 CEDT shows he travelled from Darwin so likely to have been living there at this time.

He had two sons: 1) Hedland Yee Lock Quan Sing (b. 1935) and 2) George Hedland Quan Sing (b. 1937) with CHEONG Mon Hong. He left for China in April 1937 with his wife and two sons. He does not appear to have returned to Australia so he probably died in China.

During his 49 years in Western Australia he lived in many north-west towns and had worked continuously as a storekeeper.

Travelled overseas:
November 1898 to September 1899 (SRO, S675, Cons 527, 1898/2670)
August 1917 to May 1919 (E752, 1917/24)
October 1923 to December 1924 (1923/52)
November 1928 to April 1930 (1928/84)
Left permanently April 1937 (1937/18)

PLEASE NOTE: Dr Anne Atkinson originally had this entry as "YEE LOCK" but this confuses two brothers - QUAN SING Yee Chun and QUAN SING Yee Lock.Other nameQuan Sing Yee Lock (differentiated name)Date of birth6th July 1868

Yee Lock Quan Sing pictured around the age of 54 on his Certificate Exempting him from the Dictation Test. He accompanied three of his nieces and nephews (Kinton, Susy and Ganae) to China (source: National Archives, K1145, 1923/52).

Employment

Job titleShopkeeperDate employed[date unknown]

Family

SpouseCHEONG Mon Hong (female)SiblingQUAN SING YEE CHUNChildQUAN SING Hedland Yee LockQUAN SING George Hedland

Connections

Subject (organisation)Quan Sing & Co., DerbyYee Donson & Co., CarnarvonYee Lock Quan Sing & Co., CarnarvonSubject (place)Olivia Terrace, CarnarvonRoebournePort HedlandDarwinDerbySubject (topic)Chinese heritage in Western AustraliaShop keeperBakerRelated collectionAnne Atkinson CollectionRelated linkSRO Catalogue 1898 return to ColonyNAA CEDT File 1917?NAA Application CEDT 1917NAA CEDT File 1919 (not used)NAA CEDT File 1923NAA CEDT File 1928NAA Immigration File 1937 (son)NAA Application CEDT 1937NAA CEDT File 1937

Item information

ContributorSchool of Social SciencesSource of informationAsian immigrants to Western Australia, 1829-1901 (Atkinson, 1988)

Significant place

RelationPlace of birthPlaceCantonDate1868

Significant place

RelationImmigrated toPlaceAustraliaDate1879 (WA)

Significant place

RelationTravelled toPlaceDerbyDate[date unknown]

UWA Collected

QUAN SING YEE LOCK

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA