Publisher's Synopsis
In this book, Bernard Chiang records the history of his family and their contributions to Singapore's community in the country's early years. The book traces his family history, which spans across the countries of Singapore, China and Thailand, and across more than half a century. Following different branches of the Chiang family tree, it delves into his paternal family's ancestral roots and their ancestral home in the ancient port township of Zhanglin in Chenghai district of Shantou Prefecture, China, his extended family in Thailand, and his maternal family and their culture.The history of Chia Keng Village and its development via local bottom-up grassroots efforts are also chronicled in this volume. Of particular interest are the family's efforts in developing the kampong spirit in Chia Keng Village, including initiatives such as free clinics for the needy, a fire-fighting unit, and even an amateur Teochew Opera troupe. Through this book, the legacy of the Chiang family and Chia Keng Village lives on. It captures in its pages important events in the history of Singapore from a grassroots perspective, such as Konfrontasi and the racial riots of the 1960s.
