Hong Kong in 1900 -1913 information for novel | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Hong Kong in 1900 -1913 information for novel

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Submitted by delvaux on Sat, 2014-07-26 20:02

I'm currently writing a novel which is partly set in the period 1900 to 1913. I'm looking for background information on living accommodation in the Chinese populated areas of Hong Kong . It would be useful to have access to maps and of course I need to get to grips with the feel of the place and its culture.

I've carried out some prelimenary research on the internet but have not come across any information yet that exactly fits the requirements mentioned above. I have information on the history of the  Hong Kong police and have acquired novels set in the 1840's to 1860's . This material has been useful but I thought my next step was to contact forums etc 

All information would be most gratefully received. Thanks for the opportunity.

Derek

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Submitted by Adam on Mon, 2014-07-28 11:15.

I recommend you spend a month or two reading through newspapers from the period online. That will give you a small taste of what HK was like back then, and help add a little colour and authenticity to your prose. Local housing conditions will feature from time to time, as well.

Adam

Submitted by David on Mon, 2014-07-28 19:27.

Also browse through photos from the 1900s and 1910s to get an idea of how Hong ong looked at the time:

http://gwulo.com/image

Regards, David

Submitted by delvaux on Tue, 2014-07-29 05:39.

Thanks very much for the info you provided I'll certainly follow it through. Do you mind my coming back to you if I have queries about certain facts. 

Best wishes 

Derek

 

Submitted by David on Tue, 2014-07-29 16:01.

Sure, we'll try to help. Please also share anything interesting that you find.

Regards, David

Submitted by delvaux on Thu, 2014-07-31 14:12.

Thanks for your comments. Will post anything I come across that might be of interest.

Submitted by delvaux on Thu, 2014-07-31 14:17.

What Hong Kong newspapers of the period are available online  and how might I access them please? I'll also check this forum for information.

Regards 

Derek

Submitted by David on Fri, 2014-08-01 00:00.

Here are the options we know of:

http://gwulo.com/old-hong-kong-newspapers

Regards, David

PS It's also worth browsing through this page to see if any other resources can help with your research:

http://gwulo.com/where-to-find-hong-kongs-history

Submitted by patricia on Fri, 2014-08-01 02:35.

If you're looking at some of the poorer parts, then its worth skimming through the Colonial Surgeon's report for 1894.  I know that's earlier than you're working on, but housing conditions really only improved gradually.  He's writing in the light of the plague, and also reflecting on having complained about many of the same dreadful conditions twenty years earlier.  This can be found by searching on HK Government Reports Online at http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/index.jsp

Although this is necessarily all the formal stuff, you may find other material there that will go towards building your picture.