AUTHOR’S NOTES

The core content of Growing Up in San Francisco’s Chinatown was provided by more than fifty former residents of the neighborhood. About a dozen of these individuals communicated directly and at length with me through face-to-face interviews, phone conversations and/or email exchanges. Their words, directly quoted and, at times, paraphrased, supply the stories that fill this book’s nine chapters. Other contributors offered their thoughts and ideas through brief conversations, written communication about a page or less in length or social media posts, some of which were initiated by me. Among these posts were two that asked, “What were some of your favorite and least favorite foods while growing up?” and “Did you ever work for a business owned by your family?” Several other social media posts were initiated by others but capitalized on by me for further details. Some of these provided stories and anecdotes for the chapters “Showtime and Movie Nights” and “Expectations and Discipline.” Traditional sources; notably books, archived films, news articles and web articles, fill out the rest of the book’s chapters. Unless otherwise noted, quoted material comes from interviews I conducted.

Several contributors who wished to remain anonymous were assigned pseudonyms. The names of other persons mentioned or discussed within their narratives have also been changed. All of the information contained within their pages, however, is completely true.

The author, his mother and his cousin Sherry Lee on the steps of Sherry’s John Street family home, 1949. Author’s collection.

The author visiting John Street in 2015. Photo by author.

Each of those whose voice is included in Growing Up in San Francisco’s Chinatown has painted a broad picture of the neighborhood and their activities within it as best they can recall. Faded or selective memories notwithstanding, any errors or misinterpretation of facts as told to me remain my full responsibility. Many socially and politically significant developments that continue to shape Chinatown and the lives of its residents moving forward took place in the neighborhood in the 1950s and ’60s. As this is less a history book than it is a collective memoir, these matters are only included in this book through the words of those contributors who chose to mention them.

In addition to the individuals who took the time to contribute to this book, I wish to acknowledge Leland Wong of San Francisco for his most helpful Facebook page and forum, “We Grew Up in San Francisco Chinatown.”

I wish to thank Schein and Schein for their generosity in allowing access to the images contained in the Ken Cathcart Collection of historical San Francisco Chinatown photographs. The entire collection and more can be viewed at Scheinandschein.com.

Charlie Wambeke and Melody Chan Doss-Wambeke merit a nod of gratitude for their early-morning foray into Chinatown on a specially requested photographic mission.

I especially wish to thank my wife, Elizabeth Rouse Wong, and daughter Allison Wong Hooker for their love and support. These have been joyfully received not only during the writing of this book but at all times and in all places.

—Ed Wong, 2017