Tuesday 5 February 2013

A Pictorial History of the Overseas Chinese: Song Ong Siang Chinese Portraits Collection

One Hundred Years' History of the Chinese in Singapore 
One of the highly sought after reference materials in Chinese studies in the Straits Settlements would be the classical One Hundred Years' History of the Chinese in Singapore compiled by Song Ong Siang (later Sir). This 602-page book was first published in 1923 by John Murray, London and later reprinted by the University Malaya Press (1967) and Oxford University Press (1984). 

The objective of the compilation is to document all influential Chinese in Singapore since its inception as a British Colony in 1819. Hundred of Chinese community leaders, merchants, politicians, etc. are discussed in an anecdotal flow beginning with the history of Singapore as a British Colony. The stories of the Singapore Chinese business interests and contributions to the development of early Singapore are embodied in this book. There are over 100 Chinese individual portraits and family photographs featured in this hard-bound book.

Below is the list of individuals with their portraits featured in the book. 
  1. Boey Ah Sam 
  2. Chan Kim Boon 
  3. Chan Sze Jin 
  4. Chan Sze Onn 
  5. Chao Kim Keat 
  6. Cheang Hong Lim 
  7. Cheong Ann Bee 
  8. Cheong Chun Tin 
  9. Cheong Swee Whatt 
  10. Chia Ann Siang 
  11. Chia Guan Eng 
  12. Chia Hood Theam 
  13. Ching Keng Lee 
  14. Chao Chuan Ghiok 
  15. Chao Giang Thye 
  16. Eu Tong Sen 
  17. Foo Teng Quee 
  18. Gan Eng Seng 
  19. Gaw Boon Chan 
  20. Goh Hood Keng 
  21. Goh Lai Hee 
  22. Hoo Ah Kay 
  23. Hoo Ah Yip 
  24. Hoo Keng Tuck 
  25. Kiong Chin Eng 
  26. Koh Eng Hoon 
  27. Koh San Hin 
  28. Kow Soon Kim 
  29. Kum Cheng Soo 
  30. Kung Tuan Cheng 
  31. K.Y. Doo 
  32. Lee Cheng Yan 
  33. Lee Choo Neo 
  34. Lee Choon Guan 
  35. Lee Hoon Leong 
  36. Lew Yuk Lin 
  37. Lim Boon Keng 
  38. Lim Chwee Leong 
  39. Lim Han Hoe 
  40. Lim Ho Puah 
  41. Lim Keng Kiat 
  42. Lim Koon Yang 
  43. Lim Kwee Eng 
  44. Lim Leack 
  45. Lim Nee Soon 
  46. Lim Peng Siang 
  47. Low Ah Jit 
  48. Low Boon Pin 
  49. Low Cheang Yee 
  50. Low Kway Soo 
  51. Low Peng Yam 
  52. Michael Seet 
  53. Ng Sing Phang 
  54. Oei Tiong Ham 
  55. Ong Ewe Hai 
  56. Ong Sam Leong 
  57. Ong Tek Lim 
  58. S.C. Yin 
  59. Seah Cheng Joo 
  60. Seah Chiam Yeow 
  61. Seah Eng Choe 
  62. Seah Eu Chin 
  63. Seah Liang Seah 
  64. Seow Poh Leng 
  65. Song Hoot Kiam 
  66. Song Ong Joo 
  67. Song Ong Siang 
  68. Song Tiang Kay 
  69. Tan Beng Gum 
  70. Tan Beng Swee 
  71. Tan Boon Chin 
  72. Tan Chay Yan 
  73. Tan Cheng Tuan 
  74. Tan Chin Hoon 
  75. Tan Choon Bock 
  76. Tan Jiak Kim 
  77. Tan Jiak Ngoh 
  78. Tan Keong Saik 
  79. Tan Kheam Hock 
  80. Tan Kim Ching 
  81. Tan Kim Wah 
  82. Tan Kong Wee 
  83. Tan Poh Neo 
  84. Tan Soo Bin 
  85. Tan Soo Guan 
  86. Tan Soo Jin 
  87. Tan Teck Guan 
  88. Tan Yeok Nee 
  89. Tan Yong Siak 
  90. Tay Geok Teat 
  91. Tay Ho Swee 
  92. Tay Sek Tin 
  93. Tchan Chun Fook 
  94. Teo Hoo Lye 
  95. Teo Lee 
  96. Teo Teow Peng 
  97. Thong Siong Lim 
  98. Wan Eng Kiat 
  99. Wee Ah Hood 
  100. Wee Bin 
  101. Wee Boon Teck 
  102. Wee Guat Kim 
  103. Wee Kim Yam 
  104. Wee Swee Teow 
  105. Wong Ah Fook 
  106. Wong Siew Qui 
  107. Wong Tuan Keng 
  108. Yeo Swee Hee 
  109. Yow Ngan Pan

10 comments:

  1. Hi there. I research mosaics by the Venetian firm Salviati and I have an inventory list that says they made a mosaic portrait of Tan Soo Bin. Can you send me the picture you have for #84 ? I also found this mosaic, which I believe is of the same person, so I'd like to verify. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cylee/2916847055/ Do you also have any history on who this individual was? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kovach,

      Tan Soo Bin's photo is available in this blog at the following link:

      http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPhx8ZxrmkA/USTbPvs4ZyI/AAAAAAAAAsY/lV48qOzk9ro/s1600/tan+soo+bin.png

      Delete
  2. Hi Mr Eugene, I am a student in National University of Singapore. I am doing research on Yong Siak Street and came across your blog. I wish to have a photo of Mr Tan Yong Siak to include it in my essay. Can you please kindly contact or email me at pak_meng17@hotmail.com? I would really appreciate your quick response as the deadline of the essay is by the end of this week. Thanks alot!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sitoh,

      Tan Yong Siak's photo is available in this blog at the following link:

      http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EVxj2YL5NVY/USTbQ_Z3RHI/AAAAAAAAAsk/r092p1mZtfw/s1600/tan+yong+siak.png

      Delete
  3. Hi Eugene,

    I refer Tan Soo Bin's photo at the link:

    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPhx8ZxrmkA/USTbPvs4ZyI/AAAAAAAAAsY/lV48qOzk9ro/s1600/tan+soo+bin.png

    From what I understand Tan Soo Bin has two wives. Who of the two wives is portrayed in the picture? YEO (Wife 1) or LO Tsung Kee (Wife 2)? The Tan Soo Bin I am referring to is the son of Tan Jiak Kim. Would you have the name of his brother born from the same mother ANG.
    Thank you

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  4. Hi Mr Eugene, would you have a picture of the Chinese Weekly Entertainment Club as seen in 100 Years History of the Chinese in Singapore? Would appreciate if I can have a copy of the picture. Thank you very much!

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  5. Hi Eugene, I am Tan chin kuan, a writer and artist of Malaysia, I write a book regarding visual art history of Malaysia, I would like to include the portrait photo of low kway soo (#50), can I publish the photo freely? Who have the copyright? How to contact? Thank you for your reply.

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  6. Hi Eugene, I am writing a book regarding visual art history of Malaysia, I wish to publish Low Kway Soo (#50) photo in my book, may I know who have the copyright? How to contact? Thank you for your reply.

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  7. Hello Eugene, I am a descendant of Tan Hiok Nee ( Tan Yoek Nee), I was wondering if you have more information about his sons and also please contact me at conceptasiaho@gmail.com

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  8. Hi Eugene, my great great grandfather is Beng Swee Tan, great grandmother is his daughter Teck Toon Neo Tan...and I can see that my Great Uncle "Michael Seet" has been listed in your book along with Beng Swee Tan. I'd love to be in touch in case we can switch valuable information about my Grandfather Peter Seet Phee Hean, Michael's little brother. If so please email me at clarissetkelly@gmail.com would Love to hear from you.

    ReplyDelete