In Search of Ancestral Roots

While holidaying in Hainan my husband had little intention to look
for his ancestral home. His late father hardly spoke about his family
back in China, and my husband's only clue about his past was his
village name called Lok way and of course his father's name.
My guide insisted that he could help us find his ancestral home
through the help of his own father who works for the Government.
While researching at the Library he found that the name of
this village had changed to Zhong Hai.
It was not an easy task as we don't even have the
grandfather's name. Despite the odds we decided to try
look for the village on the last day of our trip.


My guide Siew Wang enquiring this small town folks for direction to the
village .

Looks like we have a lead at this village shack.

The road ahead lead us to a stop and a kind lady says she

knows the Goh family. She comes into our car to point out

the farm house

It a small enclosure consisting of sheds doing some farm work.

A Goh family who happens to be cousins of my husband! Notice the parabolic

dish....not bad. The handsome guy on the right took my husband by

motorbike to the ancestral house which is further in only access by foot.

I am offered a seat, their most comfortable chair under a

blue fan while my husband gone a-searching . They don't seem so

primitive after all, with a TV, VCD player and a hi-fi system.

A firewood stove. I received a call from my husband saying he has

found the ancestral home and the relatives are asking me to go

meet them. Well, the only way was by foot and the pics shows

what I saw as I make my way through the narrow pathway.

I freak out when I saw this water buffalo , I quickly sms my children back

in Malaysia in case I get gored or lost in this remote village. The young

man was sent to collect me and my guide on his motor-bike. Can't believe

I rode a 3-passenger ride , but with the scorching sun this ride was a saviour!

Pay your respect to ancestors first...... the elders insisted.

The house where my father-in-law lived.





The elders of the Goh clan, the one on the right has a strong resemblance

of my late father-in-law.

My husband completing the bloodline that was lost. The house is abuzz

with relatives and it was quite emotional for my husband. Quite

daunting I must say, most memorable and fulfilling .

A mission accomplished!

"Like branches on a tree, our lives may grow in different directions yet our roots

remain as one." - Author Unknown