Shannon Bridget Murphy
Registered Users (C)
She wiped the sleep from her eyes as Ship President Pierce arrived at the Port of San Francisco. Looking over the railing of the ship, she could see fast approaching land. It was February 26, 1929. Spring was around the corner that Tuesday when the ship and its' passengers made an arrival.
It had been eight weeks since her visa had been issued in Hong Kong. That was the city where Fung Choo Cheu had lived before venturing off to America. Only able to speak, read and write Chinese she had a long learning experience ahead of her. Before leaving China, two merchants who were travelling on the same ship tried to convince those issuing visas that they were citizens of the United States in the hopes that their taxes could be waived. Their last place of residence was Namho, Kwanstung. Unfortunately, they were not successful in their attempts to do that and a tax was required of them before setting off on their voyage to America.
Along with six other citizens of China, Fung Choo Cheu set sail with the hopes of beginning new lives in another country. A common shared thread was that they all had visas. What was unique was that all of their visas were different types.
The Immigration Act of 1924 brought sweeping changes in foreign travel. The policies relating to marrying citizens of other countries and immigration were included in this reform. Under the Immigration Act of 1924, the term wife did not include a wife by reason of proxy or picture marriage.
Fung Choo Cheu was married the day that she arrived at the Port of San Francisco, California. She was the only one of seven sailing from China on the President Pierce who was not required to pay a tax to enter the United States. Her occupation noted on the ship manifest was that of housewife.
It had been a tireless wait for her to arrive in The United States and establish a home. Her husband emerged impatiently from the dock. Their ship had come in.
This is a true and copyrighted story which I have researched and written. If you are searching for your immigrant ancestors, please feel free to send me your questions.
Shannon Bridget Murphy
It had been eight weeks since her visa had been issued in Hong Kong. That was the city where Fung Choo Cheu had lived before venturing off to America. Only able to speak, read and write Chinese she had a long learning experience ahead of her. Before leaving China, two merchants who were travelling on the same ship tried to convince those issuing visas that they were citizens of the United States in the hopes that their taxes could be waived. Their last place of residence was Namho, Kwanstung. Unfortunately, they were not successful in their attempts to do that and a tax was required of them before setting off on their voyage to America.
Along with six other citizens of China, Fung Choo Cheu set sail with the hopes of beginning new lives in another country. A common shared thread was that they all had visas. What was unique was that all of their visas were different types.
The Immigration Act of 1924 brought sweeping changes in foreign travel. The policies relating to marrying citizens of other countries and immigration were included in this reform. Under the Immigration Act of 1924, the term wife did not include a wife by reason of proxy or picture marriage.
Fung Choo Cheu was married the day that she arrived at the Port of San Francisco, California. She was the only one of seven sailing from China on the President Pierce who was not required to pay a tax to enter the United States. Her occupation noted on the ship manifest was that of housewife.
It had been a tireless wait for her to arrive in The United States and establish a home. Her husband emerged impatiently from the dock. Their ship had come in.
This is a true and copyrighted story which I have researched and written. If you are searching for your immigrant ancestors, please feel free to send me your questions.
Shannon Bridget Murphy
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