Shared Lines, Shared Stories: Chinese-Aboriginal Family History

Join Janine Roberts from MidCoast Stories to discover a powerful local story where cultures, histories and families intertwine

Presented alongside Dr Christian Thomson’s House of Gold exhibition at the Manning Regional Art Gallery, this talk explores the story of Young Ping, a Chinese man who worked at Tahlee House as a gardener in the 1880s. His marriage to Emily Dates, a Worimi woman, gave rise to the Aboriginal–Chinese Ping family, whose descendants are now well known across Taree, Karuah and beyond.

The presentation places this family story within the broader history of Chinese migration to Australia and the MidCoast region, while also offering practical guidance for those tracing their own heritage. Learn about Chinese naming conventions, uncover key resources for researching Chinese ancestry, and gain insights into researching Aboriginal family history, including essential archives and online tools.

Rich in local history, cultural connection and practical research advice, this presentation invites you to look more closely at the shared stories that continue to shape our community. Researched and presented by Janine Roberts from MidCoast Stories, a former Mandarin Chinese teacher.

This presentation is offered as a free event with thanks to Museums & Galleries of NSW.