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Rojak Librarian

The Rojak Librarian is a blog that covers a range of topics related to Singapore's history, culture, and heritage. I wrote many articles on Bukit Brown, exploring the cemetery's past and present, the lives of the early pioneers buried there and the social and cultural significance of the site. I also cover about nature and birdwatching.

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Showing posts from 2025

Posts

Qing Ming with the descendants of Lian Hee (Bukit Brown)

Pauper Section 3 Division 3 +0 qingming

Pauper Section 3 Division 3 qingming

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Mr. Lim Teck Kin

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Miss Soh Siew Kee (Bukit Brown)

Died Young +0 Pauper Section 4 Division 2

Died Young Pauper Section 4 Division 2

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Mrs. Cheang Hong Lim nee Madam Yeo Kum Neo (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div D +0 Family - Cheang Hong Lim

Block 3 Div D Family - Cheang Hong Lim

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Qing Ming 2025 - Yap Geok Song revisited

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Qing Ming with the descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Lim Hwee (Bukit Brown)

Lao Sua Pauper Section 4 Division 2 +0 qingming

Lao Sua Pauper Section 4 Division 2 qingming

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Qing Ming with the descendants of Mr. Seow See (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div B Hill 3 +0 qingming

Block 3 Div B Hill 3 qingming

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Miss Ong of Lao Sua

Died Young +0 Lao Sua

Died Young Lao Sua

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Earliest known photograph of Bukit Brown Cemetery Temple ?

Bukit Brown +0 temple

Bukit Brown temple

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Qing Ming 2025 - Revisiting Chew Geok Leong

Family - Chew Geok Leong +0 qingming

Family - Chew Geok Leong qingming

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Labels

Bukit Brown968
Hill 3323
Hill 1185
Hill 4169
Died Young150
decorative tiles135
Block 3 Div D133
Block 4 Div A117
Hill 298
Block 3 Div B89

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Rojak Librarian (Peter Pak): Advocate for Conservation of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Heritage and Nature Enthusiast.

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Resource Guide on Bukit Brown

History from the Hills (2013)

Newspaper mentions (2014)

Newspaper mentions (2017)

Tuesday Report (2018) 星期二特写 | 行脚。发现第4集：武吉布朗之旅

Newspaper mentions(2022)

Grave Matters-The Greater Bukit Brown(2023)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

The Stories Behind: Birdwatcher turned grave hunter reunites families with forgotten tombs of their ancestors(2022)

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Popular Post

Earliest known photograph of Bukit Brown Cemetery Temple ?

As i was searching for more online resources, i come across this rare photograph from the Lee Brothers Studio Collection with the following caption, A Chinese funeral. The coffin being carried into the hearse by several coffin bearers. The date provided was 1911-1935. If you look closer at the temple just behind the hearse, a lot of it structural features seems to match closely of the one in Bukit Brown including the position of the offerings burner. You can see how clear the background of Hill 1 was too assuming this place is indeed Bukit Brown (See also my other post: Bukit Brown Cemetery temple - a hope for its resurrection, posted on 2 July 2021). What do you think ? Do you agree with me that the above picture was possibly taken in Bukit Brown ? Leave a comment with your opinion or thoughts ! The coffin being carried into the hearse by several coffin bearers (source: NLB ) Close-up of the temple (partially covered by hearse) Known Old Photographs for Comparison...

Miss Soh Siew Kee (Bukit Brown)

I stopped to check this tomb because i saw the tomb although simple was rather unique, as it literally stands out from the rest in the surrounding area. Other than the plot number 1166, it has a elongated headstone and the year passed away was written clearly - 1935. Miss Soh Siew Kee passed away at the age of 4 years and is buried on the 25 September 1935 at Pauper 4 Division 2, plot 1166. Miss Soh Siew Kee 4 years old Location Pauper 4 Division 2, plot 1166

Mrs. Choa Kim Keat nee Tan Hoon Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Tan Hoon Neo is the wife of Mr Choa Kim Keat. She passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on 1 February 1935 in 149 Neil Road. She is survived by 1 son, Choa Joon Hean, 2 daughters, 1 adopted daughter and 25 grandchildren. On her tomb, her date of birth is listed as 11 Day of 2nd Chinese Moon. The names of her children and grandchildren listed on the tomb are as follows; Son: Choa Joon Hean Daughters: Choa Yong Neo, Choa Poh Neo, Choa Hah Neo Grandchildren: Choa Watt Chiang Eric, Choa Watt Seng Walter, Choa Kwee Neo Jean, Choa Kim Neo, Nancy Tan Hoon Neo is the daughter of Mr. Tan Kim Ching, grand daughter of Mr. Tan Tock Seng. Mrs. Choa Kim Keat nee Madam Tan Hoo Neo Husband: Choa Kim Keat Choa Kim Keat was the only son of Choa Kai Hoon who came down from Malacca to Singapore and joined Choa Boon Buan & Co. (chop Khye Guan Tong), a Commission Agent in Boat Quay. Choa Kai Hoon eventually succeeded his brother Choa Chuan Ghio as the Manager ( branc...

Qing Ming with the descendants of Lian Hee (Bukit Brown)

I am very fortunate again to able to approach another family, this time the Lian family as they were conducting their Qing Ming rituals in Bukit Brown. Their great granduncle tomb is maintained by tombkeeper Queenie and fortunately located very near the road. The tomb of Mr. Lian Hee is a very simple - only a headstone without any tomb shoulders. It is from the Lian family i found a few more details - They are Teochews and that Mr. Lian Hee was single when he passed away in 1930. I was fortunate to have Raymond around because he managed to find the burial entry after some difficulty. Mr. Lian Hee passed away at the age of 35. One of the puzzling thing they shared with us although the knew their great granduncle was single when he passed away - however on Mr. Lian Lee's tomb, the name of their grandfather was visible. That got me thinking that it could be fengshui element were for a single person who passed away at their prime, a "son or daughter" name was added to improve...

Lim Keng Swee, Violet (Bukit Brown)

Miss Lim Keng Swee (Violet) was 4 years old when she passed away on 12th August 1925. On her lead etched tomb, i can only make out the following words: In Loving Memory of Lim Keng Swee (Violet) The dearly beloved daughter of Mr and Mrs Lim Chong Swee I had difficulty reading the date of death of the tomb as the lead etching have fallen off and moss gathered over. Fortunately the neighbouring tomb gave me indication for the month and year to look for in the burial registrar and from the records, i know that Violet Lim was very young when she passed away and is buried in Hill 1 Division F, plot 1. Miss Lim Keng Swee, Violet (4 years old) Burial entry for Lim Keng Swee Family Searching for the parents of Violet Lim, Mr and Mrs Lim Chong Swee came with some results of which begins in 1915 with a Mr. Lim Chong Swee, second son of the late Mr. Lim Kee Hin of Malacca getting married to the eldest daughter of Mr. Lee Chim Bong (granddaughter of Mr. Lee Leng Kiat ...

Tan Swee Hoe and family (Batu Pahat)

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...

Miss Ong of Lao Sua

If you happen to walk on original Lorong Halwa trail that leads to the so-called "Avatar Tree" and beyond, you might encounter the tomb of Baby Miss Ong. She was only 2 years old when she passed away in 1960. Her tomb number is No. 1076. A few years ago, Miss Ong would have a fellow "peer" buried nearby, Mary Chua (died on 10 May 1951 at the age of 5, but Mary Chua has since "moved house" at the wishes of her brother . Back to Miss Ong, her "house" this year has a new coat of paint that you can miss ! I was told her brother, now in his mid-70's recently came down and gave her little sister a loving new striking paint. This is so touching to see. Miss Ong ( 2 years old, 1958-1960) Tomb of Miss Ong (2 years old, 1958-1960) taken at April 2025

Qing Ming with the descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Lim Hwee (Bukit Brown)

It was a stab in the dark request from the great grandson of Mr. Lim Hwee who was searching for his great grandfather tomb since last year. The key information was provided in his unsolicited message to me. Mr. Lim Hwee passed away at the age of 68 and was buried on 10 September 1935. The location of burial - Pauper 4 Division 2, plot 1111 . My instinct led me to believe that his request was sincere and from the heart (and this wasn't a scam attempt). We started a conversation and long story short, within the same week, I met Vincent Lim (the great grandson of Mr. Lim Hwee) together with his parents, uncle, his sister and brother at the tomb of Mr. Lim Hwee. I found out that they had visited Mr. Lim Hwee before but due to COVID and the fog of time, they could not find the tomb in recent years. It was a celebration of filial piety and desire to reconnect with his great grandfather and i do believe that heaven played its part in getting us to be instruments of a bigger grander...

Kamala Circus - The Great Indian Circus visits Singapore

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...

Mrs. Cheang Hong Lim nee Madam Yeo Kum Neo (Bukit Brown)

Mrs. Cheang Hong Lim nee Madam Yeo Kum Neo remains were re-interred to Bukit Brown on 20 June 1935. The surrounding cluster were also tombs that moved here including the tombs of Madam Khoo Beng Choo (Mrs. Cheang Jim Khean) and Mrs. Cheang Jim Kong . Mrs. Cheang Hong Lim nee Madam Yeo Kum Neo Mrs. Cheang Hong Lim nee Madam Yeo Kum Neo Location of tomb Block 3 Division D, plot 46. (20 June 1935) This cluster of tombs were the ones relocated from Alexandra Cemetery as well as Cheang Hong Lim's private cemetery off Alexandra Road (Cheang Hong Lim Burial Ground, Stirling Road Lot 115 MK 1 ) and maybe the surrounding cemetery in that area. Other tombs in the cluster includes: Block 3 Division D, plot 19 -remains of Cheang Jim Siew (22 June 1935) Block 3 Division D, plot 32 - remains of Cheang Jim Seong (20 June 1935) Block 3 Division D, plot 60 -remains of Seoh Cheo Neo (24 June 1935) Block 3 Division D, plot 74 - remains of Khoo Beng Choo (24 June 1935) ...

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