Sibu Tales: My Grandfather and his in laws

My Great GRand Father Chong Kim Swee had three children, namely Chong Jing Bok, Chong Ching Soon and Aunty Java. This photo was taken probably before 1925.

My Grandmother Chong's parents had come from Fuqing, Fujian, near the sea. My great grandfather Chong had first landed in Java and according to hearsay, and he had probably started a business or had been a lay preacher. This has not yet been confirmed. 

When his two children, Chong Jin Bok and Chong Ching Soon were old enough to go to school, they were sent to Singapore, where they attended Methodist Mission schools. Hence it was possible that my great grand parents were Methodists.

My Great Grandfather Chong Kim Swee

In their later years they established themselves in Sibu and built a house in Kwong Ang Crescent. A road today is named after his son, Chong Jin Bok Road. They had owned quite a big parcel of rubber estate there.

It was also said that my great grand parents also pioneered some rubber estates in Bintangor when my grandfather Tiong Kung Ping and Rev Yao Shiao Khing went to Bintagor to found a Foochow settlement.

Not much else is known about my great grandparents Chong as my grandmother passed away when she was 38 years old in 1926.

But then one day we may find some leads and know more about them.