The Life of Yee Jock Leong. IV: China and Marriage
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. (DML) — Yee Jock Leong returned to China in 1905, I believe to get married. Before departure, he prepared his documents, compiling his birth certificate and other existing documents and, on September 28, 1905, obtaining an affidavit of his birth and nationality. He departed San Francisco on November 1905 on board the S.S. Siberia (right).
The Siberia and its sister ship, the S.S. Korea, were built at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. in 1902 for the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. Both were involved in the trans-Pacific trade. The Siberia, for instance, transported Jack London and other war correspondents to Japan and Korea in 1904 to cover the Russo-Japanese War (which ended in Russia’s crushing naval defeat at Tsushima). The Siberia and Korea were sold to Toyo Kisen Kaisha of Yokohama, Japan, in 1916, and served for 14 more years. The two ships were scrapped in 1934.
By December 24, 1905, Yee Jock Leong had reached his destination, for he was married to Dong Shee on that day in Jew Kee Village, Sun Ning District, Quangdong Province, China. He remained there for almost three years, but returned to San Francisco via the S.S. Korea (above) on 29 April 1908.
This time, the return process was streamlined. Yee Jock Leong was briefly interviewed on April 30. He mentioned that he knew a Yee Him Wah of Po Sang Tong & Co., of 812 Dupont Street, San Francisco. Yee Him Wah was subpoenaed to appear at the Chinese Bureau office and testify on behalf of Yee Jock Leong.
The Chinese inspector recommended that Yee Jock Leong be allowed to enter the United States on May 1, 1908. On May 8, 1903, the documents from the 1903 investigation were forwarded to Chinese Inspector in Charge of the Port of San Francisco.
Little more than four months after Yee Jock Leong returned to San Francisco—on September 9, 1908, his first son, Yee Kee Quon, was born in Joe Kee Lee Village, Sun Ning District, Guangdong Province, China.