Rojak Librarian

Ng Boo Bee (1853-1921) 黄务美, was born and educated in Fujian, China before making his way to Malaya, first in Penang before eventually making a name for himself in the State of Perak. His father is Ng Koh Sung and mother, U Choot Kwah. He started out as a brick manufacturer and timber merchant under the name of Chop Swee Bee in Taiping,  Ipoh and Teluk Anson. In Taiping, he acquired the tender contract as a railway contractor under Mr. C.R. Hanson, Resident Engineer for Perak Railways and was probably responsible for the building of the first railway in Malaya which connected Taiping to Port Weld. It was during this time he shrewdly acquired land around Kamunting.  Ng Boo Bee Millionaire tin miner  The land purchases around Kamunting made Ng Boo Bee a millionaire and with that he acquired also various houses in Taiping and also Penang. The Governor of the Straits Settlement, Sir John Anderson visited Ng Boo Bee tin mine in 1908 which had at that time, employed 4,500 men in his ti

I heard about the Tai Thean Kew circus  from my involvement with Bukit Brown and during one my tours on the Queenstown Heritage Trail , i was told of another Indian circus troupe that existed in the late 1950's and 1960's. Recently, while curating ideas for a Bukit Brown tour on Pioneers of Early Entertainment, i came across a travelling circus troupe by the name of Kamala Circus. Kamala Circus (source: NewspaperSG) Kamala Circus was reputed to be the largest travelling show in the Far East. It boasted over 100 Indian artist and featured acts such as the flying trapeze act, the "Globe of Death" motor cycle act by two young girls, a 30 foot leap by a motorcyclist and the "cat" act. It claims over 300 tons of equipment and animals which include 16 horses, 8 Ceylon baby elephants, an African lion and 2 lionesses, 2 tiger cubs and 3 Indian mountain goats. It came to Singapore in 1947 from India via Ceylon and performed for a month before touring around th

Madam Lim Choo Neo passed away at the age of 47 on 1 September 1945. Listed on her tomb are the names of her children; Sons: Seow Hock Chwee, Seow Kim Teoh, Seow Gek Chen, Seow Kim Cheng, Seow Hock Chye, Seow Hock Siew Grandsons: Seow Yong Wah, Seow Yong Meng Granddaughters: Seow Guek Kim Seow Gek Kim  Tomb of Madam Lim Choo Neo Location of tomb  Block 4 Section C, Plot P568 (info on plot number with thanks from James Koh)

Sometime back in August 2012, i wrote an article about Tan Swee Hoe who is buried in Bukit Brown. Tan Swee Hoe came to Singapore as a young boy and worked his way up, eventually becoming one of founders of Ho Hong Bank, and later a director of Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC)  after it merged with it. He was also for two terms, the president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Batu Pahat, shareholder of Ho Aik Steamships. Tan Swee Hoe was a member of the Council of State, Johore and received a title S.M.J (Setia Mahkota Johore) from the government of Johore in 1929 for his contributions. He owned several property in Singapore and Batu Pahat. Tan Swee Hoe In January 2014, i was fortunate to make a trip with like minded friends to Batu Pahat to visit one of the properties he owned as well as a temple he contributed too and finally the grave of his son. Tan Swee Hoe's mansion First on my wishlist was Tan Swee Hoe's mansion on 160 Jalan Kluang, Batu Pah

Madam Loh Luang Eng / Mrs. Seah Eng Lock passed away at the age of 60 on 19 March 1938. Her children are; Messrs. Seah Keok Khiam, Seak Keok Seng Husband: Seah Eng Lock   Seah Eng Lock is the son of Seah Cho Seah and Lim Kah Lye and brother of Seah Eng Yeak. (source: Geni.com ) Son: Seah Keok Seng Son: Seah Keok Seng (younger son of the late Mr. Seah Eng Lock) got engaged with Miss Chan May Huang (second daughter of Mr. Chan Ah Knab). The marriage took place on 229 October 1922. Seah Keok Seng passed away at the age of 84 on 22 February 1984. He is survived by; Wife: Madam Chan May Hung Children: Seah Seow Kim, Seah Seow Hock, Seah Seow Gek, Seah Seow Hua, Seah Siew Tiang, Margaret Seah, Lucy Seah and others (see obituary). The cortege left from No. 32 Lorong Paya Lebar. His wife, Madam Chan May Hung passed away at the age of 100 on 24 October 2005.  Variant Name  Loh Luang Eng is also spelt as Loh Luan Eng Location of tomb  Block 3 , Section B, plot 382 ?

Koh Kim Watt passed away at the age of 35 on 26 April 1927.  On his tomb the epitaph reads; "Ever Remembered and Loved" Koh Kim Watt  / Seet Kim Watt I found out from Raymond's blog that his tomb also carries the surname 薛 or Seet Kim Watt. So there is a likelihood that Koh Kim Watt was at one time adopted into the Seet family.  Location of tomb Block 2 Section C , plot 39. 

8 years ago i met the descendants of Yap Geok Song in a very happy gathering to celebrate the clearing and restoration of the tomb after they contacted me. The occasion did not go unnoticed and was reported in Zaobao dated 22 September 2014 . Today (16 April 2022) i was fortunate to meet again the descendants in their annual Qing Ming occasion to honor their ancestor. I am thankful once again for their permission to document this private moment and for allowing me to join them in this special occasion. I was also very happy they remembered me as well and to note that all who attended today are healthy enough to make the journey into the forest despite a wet muddy day. Fortunately everyone arrived to tomb of Yap Geok Song safely and without incident. Experience shows and everyone efficiently did their part to get ready the offerings and prepare for the prayers and subsequently completing it. It was a gathering of sorts as well, where while waiting for their ancestor to "finish ea