If you want to learn more about topics we touch on in our film or how to do additional research, check these resources out.
Film Discussion Guide – Download our free 16-page guide for use in the classroom, at home or with groups. Guide includes historical timeline, discussion questions and suggested activities that explore themes and topics introduced in Far East Deep South.
Love, Discovery and Dim Sum Podcast – Listen to this enlightening podcast hosted by Larissa Lam and Baldwin Chiu as they chat about other hidden history and family stories they have discovered. They’ve done previous episodes about “How to Find Your Roots” and talked more in-depth about many issues in our film on the podcast. They also discuss current events and issues of Asian American identity.
Mississippi Delta Chinese Heritage Museum – Delta State Archives, see the online photo archives. Some of those photos are featured in our film.
Chopsticks in the Land of Cotton *by John Jung – Dr. Jung provided great commentary in our film about the circumstances and time period Chinese grocery stores operated. Learn more about the Mississippi Delta Chinese families and their grocery stores in this book. Get it here and check out his other books.
Opening the Gates to Asia *by Jane H. Hong – Do you want to learn more about how the Chinese Exclusion Act directly impacted the Chiu/Lou family in our film and other Asian families? Chapter 1 of this book actually opens with the story about the Chiu/Lou family and how the various exclusionary immigration laws of the late 1800s and early 1900s kept them apart. Dr. Hong is featured in Far East Deep South. Get it here.
Books by Gordon H. Chang* – Dr. Chang provided strong historical context in our film and has written books regarding the Chinese railroad workers and early Chinese settlers in the U.S. such as The Chinese and the Iron Road and The Ghosts of Gold Mountain.
MyChinaRoots.com – Do you need help tracing your roots in China? This great organization helped us do research for our film. They can help point you in the right direction and even do in-depth research in China for you. Get a 10% discount if you mention “Far East Deep South.”
FamilySearch.org – We used Family Search to find ship manifests, census documents and other helpful information. They also host an annual conference, RootsTech, on family history and genealogy.
National Archives and Records Administration – Search for Chinese Exclusion files, Congressional records and other federal records for free online or in person at one of the many locations around the U.S. The Chinese Exclusion Files we found in our film were located at the San Francisco branch in San Bruno, CA, which houses most the Angel Island files. If you know which city your ancestors came through, their records are most likely at the NARA branch closest to that city. Contact a researcher at NARA. They are very happy to help.
Honor and Duty: The Mississippi Delta Chinese – Check out this documentary that focuses on the testimonies of Chinese-American World War II Veterans from the Mississippi Delta. Many served this country proudly despite the challenges they faced.
#AtlantaSyllabus – The University of Wisconsin, Madison put out a syllabus in response to the March 2021 Atlanta shooting that killed 6 women of Asian descent and the rise in anti-Asian attacks during the pandemic. This syllabus recommends many books, articles, podcasts and films to help understand anti-Asian incidents in relation to Asian American history. (Yes, you will find Far East Deep South on that list)
Education Resources and Lesson Plans
Asian American Education Project
Free Family Research Links
Find A Grave – Search cemetery records.
National Genealogical Society – A lot of great resources and events.
Chronicling America – Search America’s historic newspaper pages from 1789-1963.