How Dad, Chin Wee, Got His Name

Notes about Chin Wee's name that were assembled by Kim, Don and Gene, Jan 7, 1996.  Explanations (indented) of paper sons are from Benson Tong (American Paper Son).

He was the “paper son” of “Wee Chin.”   [not sure if this is Lee Chin or Wee Chin]

“Chin” was Dad’s uncle-in-law, though the uncle-in-law’s real family name was “Lee.”

Papers said Lee/Chin was a U.S. born citizen and had four sons.

Many Chinese brought to the U.S. by a General Lee during the Mexican-American War.

Ever since the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, only the exempt classes (merchants, diplomats, teachers, students, and travelers) could enter the United States.  The entry of Chinese laborers was barred. 

Because of the Chinese Exclusion laws and the loss of birth records in the San Francisco earthquake, many Chinese immigrants claimed to be descendants of native borns.  

The earthquake destroyed the county courthouse then the rapidly moving fire burned all of the birth certificate records.  Any Chinese who could bring two witnesses (Chinese witnesses were acceptable) to verify that they were native born were issued a birth certificate stating their native-born status.  As native borns, they would not be subjected to the rigorous system that force merchants to maintain their mercantile establishments or risk being deported from the country, and not forced to provide detailed information about their business, families in China and the United States, and testimonies from non-Chinese witnesses.  Such onerous paperwork was repeated during each trip abroad.

By early 20^th century, Chinese Americans discovered that U.S. laws granted derivative or statutory U.S. citizenship to children of native-born citizen fathers (but not mothers).  U.S. citizens of Chinese ancestry exploited this by reporting the birth of their children to the authorities in order to create “slots” that could be sold to those who were not their sons.

Lee Chin claimed he was native born.

Papers said Dad was the second son of Lee Chin.

Draft board reversed the name order; made “Wee” the family name and “Chin” the given name.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Dad asked to be a naturalized citizen.  The request was denied since he already was a citizen.

Other paper sons of Lee Chin:

• Chin Hong was listed as the first son who also served in the U.S. Army with Chin Wee.
• Chin On was listed as the third son.
• Chin Jeng would have been the fourth son, but the paper was never used.