Chinese-Canadian Collection

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This collection contains documents drawn from the fonds of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association held in the University of Victoria Archives. Most items are handwritten in traditional Chinese script with English translations but there are also documents in English.

Background:

Founded in 1884, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association was a crucial force in Victoria's immigrant history. The oldest Association of its kind in North America, the CCBA was an active participant in Canadian life, struggling to build an inclusive society and to gain individual and group rights for people of Chinese origin.

The era covered by these documents (1884 to 1923) was a difficult one for Chinese immigrants, when the completion of the Trans-Canada Railroad in 1885 threw thousands out of work. At the same time, the Canadian government instituted the "Head Tax," and anti-Chinese riots broke out in several Canadian cities. The majority of Canada's Chinese population was based in Victoria, which became the centre of the immigrants' struggle for human rights.

Pictured: notice calling for Chinese representatives to meet with parliamentary members in order to find a solution to the "Case of White Maid"

Highlights:

• Documents concerning the establishment of the CCBA
  • the Constitution, Rules and Bylaws of the CCBA, and its signatories
  • a list of the elected officials of the Association,
  • and related correspondence with officials and potential members
• English language documents include
  • a Copy of the official incorporation of the Association (1884),
  • a list of Numbers and occupations of Chinese in British Columbia (1884),
  • the Resolution by the Board of School Trustees adopting a policy of segregation (1922?) and related correspondence (in both languages)
• Other subjects covered include:
  • the Association's protest of the Head Tax and other immigration issues,
  • contributions made by the Association (generally financial in nature),
  • the case of Bill 14, "Women and Girls' Protection Act" (1923)
  • mediations and investigations handled by the Association, including the Case of Ma Lian in Rossland, BC.

See Also :

• Victoria's Chinatown: a gateway
• Materials from the UVic Libraries on Chinatown (Victoria, B.C.) and Chinese -- British Columbia -- History
• Chinatown, 1885 (a sub-site ofVictoria's Victoria) by Chris Dykstra, Andrea Suttie, Jowett Yu, Colin Bailey, Devon Carter, & Erin Kelly.
• Nanaimo Chinatowns Project, Chinese Pioneer Women, and Asians in Canada (BC) timeline at Vancouver Island University
• The Early Chinese Canadians 1858-1947 at Library and Archives Canada

This collection was featured in "Archives and Archivists" by Lara Wilson and Sylvia Stopforth, British Columbia History 43:3 p.38-39.

Access rights: Contact UVic Archives for access to the original resource and for reproduction requests (fee for reproductions).

Use rights: This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.