FONG KEE Ignatius

Description

Biographical informationFong Kee Ignatius was born in Broome on the 14th March 1924 (BDM 1100005/1924), registered as the son of Fong Kee and Mary Chong.

Family oral history suggests that that there was doubt that Fong Kee was the biological father of Ignatius and arguments over his birth may have led Fong Kee to divorce Mary in 1928 and return to China with his other children. When the family left, Mary and Ignatius remained in Western Australia.

Ignatius changed his name to Francis Bernardine Andrew Ignatius ST JOHN.

He worked as a steward. In 1953 he married the widower, Dorothy Emily Lavery (b. 1924, d. 20.03.1984), in Perth. They lived together in Perth.

He died on the 9th of November 1988. His address at that time was 70 Norwood Road, Rivervale. He was living with Steven St John, taxi driver, who was also the administrator of his estate. It is possible that Steven is his son.

Other nameIgnatius Fong Kee (differentiated name)Francis Bernardine Andrew Ignatius St JohnDate of birth14th March 1924Date of death9th November 1988

Person

Photograph and slide

Family

ParentFONG KEE Mary (female)SiblingFONG KEE Harold FONG KEE JacobFONG KEE Frang (?Frank)FONG KEE Mary Tereaser (female)FONG KEE ArthurFONG KEE Mollie (female)Other relativeFONG KEE

Connections

Subject (place)BroomePerthSubject (topic)Chinese heritage in Western AustraliaRelated collectionAnne Atkinson CollectionCelebrating 200 Years - National Foundation for Australia-China Relations Project

Item information

ContributorSchool of Social SciencesSource of informationAdditional research by Ron Milton

UWA Collected

FONG KEE Ignatius

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA