I am also a Leong,and also searching for part of my tree. One of my ancestors may have ended up in Hawaii or possibly in California, somewhere in the mid to late 1800s. To start your tree, best is to start with the ones you know- your self,your parents and grandparents - i.e. with all the info you know, and take it from there. I believe the older Chinese had specific family names that are kept from one generation to the next. For example , one of my ancestors was Leong Loy aka Leong Shin Choy. His brothers were Shin Fook, Shin Kong. The Shin is a common name kept in that generation. In the next generation, they may choose another common name among the sons, a different one for daughters, and so forth. A few specific names are usually kept within a family in the form of a verse, for easy remembrance. If I meet any Leong possessing the name Shin as part of the full name, that person could have come from the same tree. Good luck.

On 28 Jul 2001 Yamli@xtra.co.nz wrote: > I am also a Leong,and also searching for part of my tree. One > of my ancestors may have ended up in Hawaii or possibly in California, > somewhere in the mid to late 1800s. To start your tree, best is to > start with the ones you know- your self,your parents and grandparents > - i.e. with all the info you know, and take it from there. I believe > the older Chinese had specific family names that are kept from one > generation to the next. For example , one of my ancestors was Leong Loy > aka Leong Shin Choy. His brothers were Shin Fook, Shin Kong. The Shin > is a common name kept in that generation. In the next generation, they > may choose another common name among the sons, a different one for > daughters, and so forth. A few specific names are usually kept within a > family in the form of a verse, for easy remembrance. If I meet any Leong > possessing the name Shin as part of the full name, that person could > have come from the same tree. > Good luck. The above is good advice, yet, in addition to that, I would suggest joining a family society as they could help you the most. If you are in Hawaii, I would suggest that you join the Chou Clansmen (not tooting my own horn, but stating the truth that they are the best people to help you). What the Chinese in Hawaii are hiding is the most worthy heritage in the entire history of China and it encompasses your family surname. You should look in your State library for books on Chinese genealogy and, also, go to my website to learn about Chinese relations. You should participate in Chinese cultural activities, which will make your life rich and your services will add to the community at large. Only by contributing our time freely to others will we be able to build a better community. Often Chinese organizations are lacking and American groups flourish in this country. Isn't it time to help your own? Give a little and get a lot back in return! All Chinese are brothers! Why not help your own kin!? http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Courtyard/1535/cha_pu.html 70% of Hawaii's Chinese come from the Chungshan area in China. All or most carry the Imperial heritage, whether they admit to it or not. Refer to the above website for details. If you have any questions, please write to me privately. lchow@nospam.lava.net (Remove "nospam." to send me e-mail.)