Author Archives: Brian Beesley

My grandmother Maud was a Thomson. Her father, William Mitchel Thomson was career military, having joined the Royal Engineers at 14 years of age. There were eight children in the Hong Kong family. Five were girls and three boys. Only … Continue reading →

After what seems like irrefutable evidence that my mysterious great grandmother was “Anne Hunter alias Kot Choy” there is one more little snippet of evidence that can’t be ignored.    A photocopy of a typed “Carl Smith card” from way … Continue reading →

The wedding took place at St Andrews Church on Nathan Road in Kowloon, April 14, 1909. I think the wedding photos were done at their home, 4 Humphrey’s Ave, Kowloon. Most of the women in the photo are sisters of … Continue reading →

This photo is a match as far as the mat sheds, but the people are still a mystery. I believe the seated caucasian lady might be my grandmother Maud Wilhelmina Hunter but I’m not positive. Also I’d originally thought that maybe … Continue reading →

A colorized version of one of the children’s outings. My mother and her sister are far right and fourth from right. The setting is very similar. The mat sheds look a little different but I think it’s just that the … Continue reading →

When I posted the “family photo with a clue” I wasn’t sure if the photo was from Hong Kong ( Kowloon ) or a year later after the family moved to Shanghai. I’m now a little more convinced that it was … Continue reading →

This photo is of my grandfather Tobias Hunter, his wife Maud (seated) holding one of their two children ( Nora ) My mother ( Iris ) is standing between them. The location is based on much research and comparing photos … Continue reading →

As more information became available I began to compare maps with land records and newspaper items and even real estate ads. I’ve also found a couple of old photos. The timespan is fairly long but the property is identifiable throughout.  … Continue reading →

This is an early 1900s map of mid levels showing the properties held by Kot Choy in yellow. The family address of 11 Shelley Street which was occupied by Hunters until 1944, is not marked off as I believe it … Continue reading →