In this book, Bernard Chiang records the history of his family and their
contributions to Singapore's community in the country's early years. The
book traces his family history, which spans across the countries of
Singapore, China and Thailand, and across more than half a century.
Following different branches of the Chiang family tree, it delves into
his paternal family's ancestral roots and their ancestral home in the
ancient port township of Zhanglin in Chenghai district of Shantou
Prefecture, China, his extended family in Thailand, and his maternal
family and their culture.The history of Chia Keng Village and its
development via local bottom-up grassroots efforts are also chronicled
in this volume. Of particular interest are the family's efforts in
developing the kampong spirit in Chia Keng Village, including
initiatives such as free clinics for the needy, a fire-fighting unit,
and even an amateur Teochew Opera troupe. Through this book, the legacy
of the Chiang family and Chia Keng Village lives on. It captures in its
pages important events in the history of Singapore from a grassroots
perspective, such as Konfrontasi and the racial riots of the 1960s.
