C.Y. Chu Chinese American photographs, and trade and immigration documents
Scope and Contents
Financial records documenting the career and activities of C. Y. Chu. Also included are C. Y. Chu's 1917 middle school diploma, a 1926 U.S. Dept. of Labor return permit, and more.
Photographs of family events and business gatherings. People pictured include C.Y. Chu, Albert Gee, Mr. Parker Gee, Ms. Wanto Chu, Mabel Gee, Mrs. Wing Hon (mother of Judy Gee Chong), Theresa Gee (mother of Rogene Gee Calvert), Helen Gee (wife of Shelton Gee), Shelton Gee, Mamie Gee (wife of Judge Ron Lew, 1st Asian American Federal Judge in the US), and others.
Groups include Chinese Baptist Church First Anniversary, Oct. 3, 1954
Chinese Business Men's Dinner, at Timmy Chan Restaurant, Aug. 5, 1956, Houston, TX,
unidentified men's dinner group possibly in Albert Gee's Poly-Asian Restaurant,
unidentified dinner group at unidentified restaurant.
Dates
- Creation: 1917 - 1971
Conditions Governing Access
This material is open for research.
Stored offsite at the Library Service Center and require 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish from this material must be facilitated through the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, woodson@rice.edu.
Biographical / Historical
Chinese American entrepreneur C.Y. Chu opened the Quong Yick grocery store in Houston circa 1930, believed to be the first Chinese-owned grocery in Houston. C.Y Chu went on to help other Chinese start businesses in the U.S., particularly in Houston.
He passed away long before the existence of HAAA. Raymond Gee went through a dumpster at C.Y.’s house after the latter’s death and subsequent housecleaning by the latter’s brother, and rescued these documents. C.Y.Chu helped lots of Chinese men establish their first grocery businesses when they land in Houston, generously opening his home and helping them set up.
Extent
2 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Financial records documenting the career and activities of C. Y. Chu. Also included are C. Y. Chu's 1917 middle school diploma, a 1926 U.S. Dept. of Labor return permit, and more.
Photographs of family events and business gatherings.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Raymond Gee via Dr. Anne Chao, 2013.
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the C.Y. Chu Chinese American trade and immigration documents, 1917-1958
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Amanda Focke
- Date
- 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA
713-348-2586
woodson@rice.edu