Van Chu-Lin (1893/94?–1946)

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Van Chu-Lin (1893/94?–1946)

New Zealand shopkeeper. Name variations: Mary Chun. Born probably in 1893 or 1894, in Zengcheng province, China; died Nov 12, 1946, in Wellington, New Zealand; dau. of Van Poy Wah (oil vendor) and Ah Day; m. Chun Yee Hop (shopkeeper), 1915; children: 11 daughters, 7 sons.

Promised to husband as his secondary wife, arrived in New Zealand (1915); lost court case over Immigration Restriction Act of 1908 based on improper naturalization papers procured by husband; marginalized socially, her life was severely circumscribed by numerous pregnancies, family duties, and heavy jobs in husband's shop; used name Mary Chun after arriving in New Zealand.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).

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Van Chu-Lin (1893/94?–1946)

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