How Jiu was never supposed to go to America. But in an incredible twist of fate during China’s Civil War in 1928, she set sail for San Francisco, never to return to her family again. Only 18 years old and traveling under a false identity, How Jiu had to pass a gueling test before she was allowed to enter the United States. Hear the surprising story of the Chinese immigration experience, recorded on location at Angel Island’s historic Immigration Station in the San Francisco Bay.

Want to learn more about How Jiu’s experience and those of other immigrants on Angel Island? This wonderful article is based on her daughter’s narratives, this is a great photo essay of the dedication of the immigrant memorial wall on angel island with the descendants of many immigrants attending, and this is a fantastic archive of immigrant stories from the Pacific coast.

A full transcript of this episode is available here. 

Guest Casey Dexter-Lee is a State Park Interpreter II with California State Parks and the lead for the educational programs at Angel Island State Park. Starting as a seasonal employee conducting living history programs and guided tours for school groups, she has lived and worked at Angel Island State Park for nineteen years. Casey has a BA in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz, home of the fighting banana slugs.

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