Studying the rich history of Rabaul's Chinese
08 July 2010
THE
HISTORY of the Chinese in and around Rabaul goes back a long way, and if you
have any information or photographs on this subject, you may be able to assist
with research for a book I’m writing.
In the mid-19th century, Chinese visited
Later, after
Later still, indentured labourers
(coolies) were recruited from
These plantations’ horrific death rate from malaria, beriberi and dysentery, together with appalling living and working conditions and ill-treatment by overseers, caused most of them to be closed by 1900. Most of the coolies were repatriated, but a few chose to remain.
During the same period, plantations were
successfully operated at Herbertshohe (Kokopo) on the
With the decision to build a new capital at Rabaul, trained artisans (employed as “free” Chinese) were needed to construct the main wharf and town buildings. Again some remained after the work was completed.
There was also some intermarriage with mixed-race (German/Indigenous) residents of Rabaul.
The Chinese lived, as required, in Chinatown and concentrated on their businesses and families. How this was done and the way they lived peacefully with other races in Rabaul make them an interesting minority group to study.
* Dr
Peter Cahill, a former resident of Rabaul, is an academic at the University of
Queensland. He is gathering material for a book on the Chinese in Rabaul
1884–1960 and invites people with stories or experiences related to this to
contact him. Photographs would be a bonus. Write to Dr Cahill at 7 Wynyard
Street, Indooroopilly 4068 or email him at [email protected]
Hi, I'm a grandchild of John Lee from Rabaul. Does any reader know anything of my family history resulting to its conclusion.
Posted by: Jarrin Lee | 25 January 2025 at 08:52 AM
Erica Wing Seeto; Con Barrington; Dr Edward Lee -
Thanks for your comments. Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you - I've been away and have only just noticed your comments.
How do I contact you individually? Please email me at
[email protected]; telephone (Brisbane) 07.3371.4794; snail mail address 7 Wynyard Street, Indooroopilly, Queensland. 4068
I'm collecting information for volume 2 covering 1960 - 1975.
Posted by: Dr Peter Cahill | 22 December 2014 at 11:45 AM
Hi there my name is Erica Gabriella Wing Seeto, I'm trying to find out my Grandpas family tree. His name is Gabriel Wing Seeto and he was born in Rabual but later moved to New Hebrides in search for a better life. He worked as a heavy machinery operator but saddely died doing what he enjoyed doing when my father was 7. I would like to know more of his family tree but I don't know where to start.
Posted by: Erica Wing Seeto | 29 June 2014 at 03:42 PM
currently reading this lovely book. good stuff Peter. you've done well.
bit disappointed that the personae I was looking for are not named.
looking to complete some family history for dt in law
her grandfather- Fat Wai Szeto, possible variant Fatt Whye Seeto but not sure of this
and his wife Mei Fong Chow.
at page 135 reference to a "May Seeto"in 1951 attending Girl Guides camp at Narrabeen NSW. photo above may contain her in it???
Posted by: Con Barrington | 15 February 2014 at 07:17 PM
Please contact me regarding my family history in PNG from my family residing in Brisbane, Sydney and many others from PNG and Rabaul .
Posted by: Dr Edward lee | 16 August 2012 at 01:26 PM