George Thomas Kwong 1912–1992

George Thomas Kwong, 1912–1992 (aged 80 years)

Name

George Thomas Kwong

Name: George Thomas /Kwong/
Given names: George Thomas
Surname: Kwong

Name

George Murphy

Name: George /Murphy/
Given names: George
Surname: Murphy

Name

Kwong Sing On

Name: /Kwong/ Sing On
Given names: Sing On
Surname: Kwong

Gender Male

Events of close relatives
Birth	May 5, 1906 13 Note: A 1906 date of birth is not supported by any conclusive data. George himself did not feel he was that old. The origin of this date is uncertain.
Birth	June 5, 1912 19 Townsville, Queensland, Australia Address: Allen Street South Townsville
Trip	Extended absence from May 29, 1917 to January 21, 1930 (aged 17 years) China Guardian: Mayzie Kwong (aged 32 years) — aunt
Birth of a half-sister	Mona Kwong 1922 (aged 9 years) Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Death of a paternal grandmother	Ngor Gwei Chun 1924 (aged 11 years) Hong Kong
Death of a paternal grandfather	Kwong Sue Duk February 17, 1929 (aged 16 years) Townsville, Queensland, Australia Note: Queensland BDM Index: 1929/C1156
Death of a maternal grandmother	Elizabeth Roberts January 3, 1930 (aged 17 years) Age: 62 Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Burial of a maternal grandmother	Elizabeth Roberts January 4, 1930 (aged 17 years) Manunda, Queensland, Australia Cemetery: Martyn Street Cemetery Address: Section: Monumental Row: V1 Plot: 2051 Monumental East Side Note: At Cairns Family History - check against their card catalogue doesn't show this inscription. This suggests the plaque was installed after 1983-4. Cairns council's "new" system is about 18 months old. Previous data location unknown. (May need to FUP Brisbane archives) At Cairns Family History - check against their card catalogue doesn't show this inscription. This suggests the plaque was installed after 1983-4. Cairns council's "new" system is about 18 months old. Previous data location unknown. (May need to FUP Brisbane archives) Council records (microfiche at Cairns Family History) show she was an Old Age Pensioner and that the plot cost £5. Discussion with Aileen suggests that the info on the death certificate would be the sort of details that would have been supplied to the hospital on admission. Elizabeth Daniel d. 1930 Funeral notice - Elizabeth Daniel
Death of a mother	Mona Annie Murphy after 1930 (aged 17 years) Note: Recollection from Uncle Ken: Stories recounted to him by George suggest he was taken into care by police due to the death of his birth mother. This would suggest Mona would have died in 1916. This was about the time care of George reverted to Kwong Sue Duk. Specific knowledge about George's birth mother is unclear during George's lifetime. Recollection from Uncle Ken: Stories recounted to him by George suggest he was taken into care by police due to the death of his birth mother. This would suggest Mona would have died in 1916. This was about the time care of George reverted to Kwong Sue Duk. Specific knowledge about George's birth mother is unclear during George's lifetime. Subsequent electoral roll data suggests Mona was still alive at least in 1918, and was not listed as deceased on her mother death certificate in 1930.
Occupation	Carrier 1934 (aged 21 years) Innisfail, Queensland, Australia
Death of a father	Thomas Kwong June 27, 1950 (aged 38 years) Age: 60 Townsville, Queensland, Australia Address: Lister Private Hospital, Townsville Informant: May Ah Foo (aged 50 years) — wife
Burial of a father	Thomas Kwong June 29, 1950 (aged 38 years) Townsville, Queensland, Australia Cemetery: Townsville Cemetery Witness: Sidney George Ozanne (aged 22 years) — daughter’s partner Note: Also notes E.H Hang Gong as witness to burial. Tommy Kwong with Florence and Norman
Death of a half-sister	Mona Kwong 1976 (aged 63 years)
Death of a mother	Ko Shee
Death	July 11, 1992 (aged 80 years) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Address: Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay
Cremation	July 15, 1992 (4 days after death) Matraville, New South Wales, Australia Address: Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park Military Rd, Matraville T_George_Kwong.JPG
Research task	[QSA] Inspector's letter book - Police Station Townsville November 25, 2015 User: kerryc Note: Queensland State Archive: Queensland State Archive: Item ID 315996 Previous System Location A/73362; RSI13213/1/1 Parent Item This item does not have a parent item. Transfer ID 1096 Record Type Letterbook - police Item Format Volumes Description Inspector's letter book - Police Station, Townsville Departmental Numbers Preferred Citation Queensland State Archives Item ID315996, Letterbook - police Start Date 14/9/1913 End Date 4/6/1914
Research task	[ANA] Brisbane. J2773, 89/1930 October 19, 2017 User: kerryc Note: Brisbane National Archive: Description suggests a passenger list. Did someone travel with George on this trip? Brisbane National Archive: Description suggests a passenger list. Did someone travel with George on this trip? Certificate for exemption from dictation test list - Kwong George Murphy, Wong See, Jan Some, Sam Lee, Willie Jan Kum, Wee Hang, See Hing, Jotare Nakanishi, Masagoro Hamanishi - Passenger list 'St Albans' 21/1/30 - Whish, Thomson, Gutteridge, Dowling, Kennedy, Nuzum, Mackay Sim, Aslet, Dixon, Morey-Lawrence, Migney, Frice, Friee, Cadzow, Rie, Hervey, Fell, Nelson, Thomas, Oliver, Shin Yocklum, Lee Su, Young Yet, Choy, Young Tsuen Bun, Wong Tse Hsiang, Liang Tai Chieh, Liang Lou Tien, Liang Hou Tien, Kwong George Murphy, Hamanishi, Nakanishi

Date differences

Family with parents
mother	Links Birth: July 15, 1892 43 25 — Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia Not married: from September 1910 to May 1911 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Legal: Legal Notice — July 24, 1912 — Queensland, Australia Death: after 1930 Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Edmond O'Connor Elizabeth Victoria Murphy Edna May Murphy Family with spouse George Thomas Kwong Mona Annie Murphy 1892–1930 Birth: July 15, 1892 43 25 — Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia Death: after 1930
himself	Links Birth: May 5, 1906 13 Birth: June 5, 1912 19 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Trip: Extended absence — from May 29, 1917 to January 21, 1930 — China Occupation: Carrier — 1934 — Innisfail, Queensland, Australia Death: July 11, 1992 — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Cremation: July 15, 1992 — Matraville, New South Wales, Australia Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Ellen Que Woo George Thomas Kwong 1912–1992 Birth: June 5, 1912 19 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Death: July 11, 1992 — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Family with parents
father	Links Birth: 1890 36 22 — Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Marriage: China Trip: Extended absence — from March 28, 1907 to April 26, 1913 — China Trip: Extended Trip — from January 30, 1928 to June 18, 1928 — China Occupation: Gambler — 1937 Death: June 27, 1950 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Burial: June 29, 1950 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Probate: January 12, 1953 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Ko Shee George Thomas Kwong Sing Gum Kwong Sing Fat Kwong Family with spouse May Ah Foo Mona Kwong Family with spouse Mary Tim So Thomas Kwong 鄺光錦 1890–1950 Birth: 1890 36 22 — Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Death: June 27, 1950 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia
mother	Links Birth: China Marriage: China Death: Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Thomas Kwong George Thomas Kwong Sing Gum Kwong Sing Fat Kwong Ko Shee 髙氏 – Birth: China Death:
Marriage	Marriage — — China
himself	Links Birth: May 5, 1906 13 Birth: June 5, 1912 19 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Trip: Extended absence — from May 29, 1917 to January 21, 1930 — China Occupation: Carrier — 1934 — Innisfail, Queensland, Australia Death: July 11, 1992 — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Cremation: July 15, 1992 — Matraville, New South Wales, Australia Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Ellen Que Woo George Thomas Kwong 1912–1992 Birth: June 5, 1912 19 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Death: July 11, 1992 — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
brother	Links Birth: China Death: China Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Sing Gum Kwong – Birth: China Death: China
brother	Links Birth: China Death: China Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Sing Fat Kwong – Birth: China Death: China

Mother’s family with Edmond O'Connor
mother’s partner	Links Birth: February 1879 35 — Gatton, Queensland, Australia Occupation: Farmer — from 1903 to 1907 — Gatton, Queensland, Australia Occupation: Policeman — from November 21, 1907 to April 19, 1909 — Southport, Queensland, Australia Occupation: Policeman — from April 19, 1909 to May 5, 1911 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Not married: from September 1910 to May 1911 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Legal: Search — July 24, 1912 — Queensland, Australia Death: September 10, 1959 — Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Mona Annie Murphy Elizabeth Victoria Murphy Edna May Murphy Edmond O'Connor 1879–1959 Birth: February 1879 35 — Gatton, Queensland, Australia Death: September 10, 1959 — Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
mother	Links Birth: July 15, 1892 43 25 — Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia Not married: from September 1910 to May 1911 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Legal: Legal Notice — July 24, 1912 — Queensland, Australia Death: after 1930 Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Edmond O'Connor Elizabeth Victoria Murphy Edna May Murphy Family with spouse George Thomas Kwong Mona Annie Murphy 1892–1930 Birth: July 15, 1892 43 25 — Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia Death: after 1930
Not married	Not married — from September 1910 to May 1911 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia
8 months half-sister	Links Birth: May 10, 1911 32 18 Death: April 18, 1912 Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Elizabeth Victoria Murphy 1911–1912 Birth: May 10, 1911 32 18 Death: April 18, 1912
half-sister	Links Birth: May 10, 1911 32 18 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Death: July 6, 1993 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Arthur Hill William Hill Thelma Hill Family with spouse Henry Askew Gilbert Eleanor Jane Gilbert Helen June Gilbert Edna May Murphy 1911–1993 Birth: May 10, 1911 32 18 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Death: July 6, 1993 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia

Father’s family with May Ah Foo
father	Links Birth: 1890 36 22 — Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Marriage: China Trip: Extended absence — from March 28, 1907 to April 26, 1913 — China Trip: Extended Trip — from January 30, 1928 to June 18, 1928 — China Occupation: Gambler — 1937 Death: June 27, 1950 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Burial: June 29, 1950 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Probate: January 12, 1953 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Ko Shee George Thomas Kwong Sing Gum Kwong Sing Fat Kwong Family with spouse May Ah Foo Mona Kwong Family with spouse Mary Tim So Thomas Kwong 鄺光錦 1890–1950 Birth: 1890 36 22 — Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Death: June 27, 1950 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia
stepmother	Links Birth: 1900 — Croydon, Queensland, Australia Census: 1925 — Cairns, Queensland, Australia Census: 1936 — Innisfail, Queensland, Australia Death: 1971 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Thomas Kwong Mona Kwong May Ah Foo 1900–1971 Birth: 1900 — Croydon, Queensland, Australia Death: 1971 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia
half-sister	Links Birth: 1922 32 22 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Death: 1976 Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Mona Kwong 1922–1976 Birth: 1922 32 22 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Death: 1976
half-brother	Private –
half-sister	Private –

Father’s family with Mary Tim So
father	Links Birth: 1890 36 22 — Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Marriage: China Trip: Extended absence — from March 28, 1907 to April 26, 1913 — China Trip: Extended Trip — from January 30, 1928 to June 18, 1928 — China Occupation: Gambler — 1937 Death: June 27, 1950 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Burial: June 29, 1950 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Probate: January 12, 1953 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Ko Shee George Thomas Kwong Sing Gum Kwong Sing Fat Kwong Family with spouse May Ah Foo Mona Kwong Family with spouse Mary Tim So Thomas Kwong 鄺光錦 1890–1950 Birth: 1890 36 22 — Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Death: June 27, 1950 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia
father’s partner	Links Birth: Death: Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Thomas Kwong Mary Tim So – Birth: Death:
half-sister	Private –

Family with Ellen Que Woo
himself	Links Birth: May 5, 1906 13 Birth: June 5, 1912 19 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Trip: Extended absence — from May 29, 1917 to January 21, 1930 — China Occupation: Carrier — 1934 — Innisfail, Queensland, Australia Death: July 11, 1992 — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Cremation: July 15, 1992 — Matraville, New South Wales, Australia Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse Ellen Que Woo George Thomas Kwong 1912–1992 Birth: June 5, 1912 19 — Townsville, Queensland, Australia Death: July 11, 1992 — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
wife	Links Birth: December 9, 1904 42 20 — Cumberland, Queensland, Australia Death: September 6, 2004 — Wyong, New South Wales, Australia Cremation: after September 6, 2004 — Matraville, New South Wales, Australia Links Ancestors Compact tree Descendants Family book Fan chart Hourglass chart Interactive tree Pedigree Pedigree map Relationships Family with spouse George Thomas Kwong Ellen Que Woo 陳金妹 1904–2004 Birth: December 9, 1904 42 20 — Cumberland, Queensland, Australia Death: September 6, 2004 — Wyong, New South Wales, Australia
daughter	Private –
daughter	Private –
daughter	Private –
son	Private –

Finding a "private" Murphy

During his life, George was unable to find his own birth certificate. He was aware that in some way he may have been adopted but details were hazy. As a toddler, the young George was sent by his "father" Thomas Kwong to China. There he was raised by Thomas' first wife who was unable to come to Australia. George returned as a teenager. There were attempts made during post war years to find a birth certificate in order to prove an entitlement to a rice ration but the Queensland Registry could find no birth records matching "George Kwong". All his life he thought his name was "George Thomas Kwong".

Some years after George died the CEDTs ¹ held by the Australian National Archive were indexed. While searching for "George Kwong", a researcher found a CEDT which seemed match the years that young George was in China. Except that it was in the name of "Kwong George Murphy". ²

This unlocked a whole new line of research. A birth certificate for "George Murphy" was found. No father was given but the mother George never knew was identified as Mona Annie Murphy. This connection was later confirmed by a DNA test which matched some of George's descendants with another, previously unknown descendant of Mona through one of her other children.

¹ Certificate Exempting from Dictation Test.

² Full public access to Geroge's CEDT is available at the Australian Archive site https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/

Show all sources
Birth
Birth
Trip
Occupation
Name

Show all notes
Birth	A 1906 date of birth is not supported by any conclusive data. George himself did not feel he was that old. The origin of this date is uncertain.
Trip	Mayzie travelled with George to Hong Kong in 1917. She returned in 1918.
Shared note	Who was George Murphy? During his life, George was unable to find his own birth certificate. He was aware that in some way he may have been adopted but details were hazy. As a toddler, the young George was sent by his "father" Thomas Kwong to China. There he was raised by Thomas' first wife who was unable to come to Australia. George returned as a teenager. There were attempts made during post war years to find a birth certificate in order to prove an entitlement to a rice ration but the Queensland Registry could find no birth records matching "George Kwong". All his life he thought his name was "George Thomas Kwong". Some years after George died the CEDTs 1 held by the Australian National Archive were indexed. While searching for "George Kwong", a researcher found a CEDT which seemed match the years that young George was in China. Except that it was in the name of "Kwong George Murphy". 2 This unlocked a whole new line of research. A birth certificate for "George Murphy" was found. No father was given but the mother George never knew was identified as Mona Annie Murphy. This connection was later confirmed by a DNA test which matched some of George's descendants with another, previously unknown descendant of Mona through one of her other children. 1 Certificate Exempting from Dictation Test. 2 Full public access to Geroge's CEDT is available at the Australian Archive site https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/
Research task	Queensland State Archive: Item ID 315996 Previous System Location A/73362; RSI13213/1/1 Parent Item This item does not have a parent item. Transfer ID 1096 Record Type Letterbook - police Item Format Volumes Description Inspector's letter book - Police Station, Townsville Departmental Numbers Preferred Citation Queensland State Archives Item ID315996, Letterbook - police Start Date 14/9/1913 End Date 4/6/1914
Research task	Brisbane National Archive: Description suggests a passenger list. Did someone travel with George on this trip? Certificate for exemption from dictation test list - Kwong George Murphy, Wong See, Jan Some, Sam Lee, Willie Jan Kum, Wee Hang, See Hing, Jotare Nakanishi, Masagoro Hamanishi - Passenger list 'St Albans' 21/1/30 - Whish, Thomson, Gutteridge, Dowling, Kennedy, Nuzum, Mackay Sim, Aslet, Dixon, Morey-Lawrence, Migney, Frice, Friee, Cadzow, Rie, Hervey, Fell, Nelson, Thomas, Oliver, Shin Yocklum, Lee Su, Young Yet, Choy, Young Tsuen Bun, Wong Tse Hsiang, Liang Tai Chieh, Liang Lou Tien, Liang Hou Tien, Kwong George Murphy, Hamanishi, Nakanishi

Show all media
Cremation	T_George_Kwong.JPG
Media object	george kwong.jpg

Extra information

Last change

April 7, 2023 – 10:16:19

Author of last change: kerryc

Family navigator

Family with parents
mother Parents David Murphy Elizabeth Roberts	Mona Annie Murphy 1892–1930
himself	George Thomas Kwong 1912–1992

Family with parents
father Parents Kwong Sue Duk Ngor Gwei Chun	Thomas Kwong 1890–1950
mother	Ko Shee –
himself	George Thomas Kwong 1912–1992
brother	Sing Gum Kwong –
brother	Sing Fat Kwong –

Mother’s family with Edmond O'Connor
mother’s partner Parents Edmond O'Connor Mary Ann Shine	Edmond O'Connor 1879–1959
mother Parents David Murphy Elizabeth Roberts	Mona Annie Murphy 1892–1930
half-sister	Elizabeth Victoria Murphy 1911–1912
half-sister Family Arthur Hill William Hill Private Thelma Hill Private Private Private Family Henry Askew Gilbert Eleanor Jane Gilbert Helen June Gilbert Private Private Private Private Private Private	Edna May Murphy 1911–1993

Father’s family with May Ah Foo
father Parents Kwong Sue Duk Ngor Gwei Chun	Thomas Kwong 1890–1950
stepmother Parents James Ah Foo Emily Henley	May Ah Foo 1900–1971
half-sister Family Private Private Private Private Private Private	Mona Kwong 1922–1976
half-brother	Private
half-sister Family Sidney George Ozanne	Private

Father’s family with Mary Tim So
father Parents Kwong Sue Duk Ngor Gwei Chun	Thomas Kwong 1890–1950
father’s partner	Mary Tim So –
half-sister Family Private Private Private Private Private	Private

Family with Ellen Que Woo
himself	George Thomas Kwong 1912–1992
wife Parents Samuel Que Woo Cumgee Yet Foy	Ellen Que Woo 1904–2004
daughter Family Choy Shiu Kong Private Private Private Private	Private
daughter Family Ronald Steve Sue Fong Private Private Private Private	Private
daughter Family Private Private Private Private Private	Private
son Family Private Private Private Private	Private

Descendants

George Thomas Kwong(1912–1992)
- Ellen Que Woo