CSU-Monterey Researches Chinese Village

Dynamic preservationist Gerry Low-Sabado, who lives in Fremont, travelled 90 miles to Monterey to show me her ancestors' village. (Post onePost One.) She first led us to Point Lobos, a point not only of nature but history, she said. Her great grandmother's photo is in the Whaler's Village. (Post two.) Her great-great grandfather floated over from Canton, escaping the chaos and poverty that accompanied war. (Post three.)

In 2003 Gerry got an e-mail from CSU—Monterey Bay, asking for information.

“They were going to make a documentary about the Japanese fishermen in Monterey. And when they were doing research, they found out that the Chinese came before. So they started a quest to look for information.”

At first Gerry was wary.  “I didn’t want to show them anything at first because I didn’t trust people.”

Still, after listening to the students talk, she went back to her car to get her binder to show them what information she had. She was included in their documentary, By Light of Lanterns. In 2004 the movie screened at the Maritime Heritage Museum.
“Because of the documentary, relatives came forward that I never knew existed. And it’s still happening.”

Because of the documentary, her journey to tell the story of Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel began. 

(To be continued. Next: Some People Don't Want To Hear Truth.)