Asian American Pacific Islander Oral History Collection

Frank Yan introduces his mother’s background in Portland, Oregon, where his grandfather ran several businesses before returning to China when his mother was a teenager. He describes his parents’ arranged marriage in Toisan, his mother’s…

Winston Bong Young introduces himself as a third-generation Cantonese Chinese American who moved from an integrated Los Angeles neighborhood to a majority-white suburb in North Hollywood. He describes working at his stepfather’s restaurant in North…

Pauline Tso, née Wang, introduces her early childhood in Nanjing, China, before the Japanese occupation and her father’s diplomatic missions forced them to evacuate. She describes her boat journey to, schooling in, and childhood memories of…

Winston Bong Young opens his second interview by elaborating upon the culture shock of moving from Central City, Los Angeles to North Hollywood in seventh grade. He recalls how his work ethic developed from balancing childcare for his younger…

Margaret "Margie" Doris Lew begins her second interview by explaining how she began making jewelry, editing the Los Angeles City Employees Asian American Association newsletter, and collecting stamps through her employment at Los Angeles City Hall.…

Margaret "Margie" Doris Lew introduces herself as the only one of her siblings born and raised in San Francisco, not meeting her family until she was 19 years old. Lew describes meeting her Los Angeles-born husband Albert Lew at Chinese Servicemen's…