Hong Kong in 1900 -1913 information for novel

Submitted by delvaux on Sat, 07/26/2014 - 20:02

I'm currently writing a novel which is partly set in the period 1900 to 1913. I'm looking for background information on living accommodation in the Chinese populated areas of Hong Kong . It would be useful to have access to maps and of course I need to get to grips with the feel of the place and its culture.

I've carried out some prelimenary research on the internet but have not come across any information yet that exactly fits the requirements mentioned above. I have information on the history of the  Hong Kong police and have acquired novels set in the 1840's to 1860's . This material has been useful but I thought my next step was to contact forums etc 

All information would be most gratefully received. Thanks for the opportunity.

Derek

I recommend you spend a month or two reading through newspapers from the period online. That will give you a small taste of what HK was like back then, and help add a little colour and authenticity to your prose. Local housing conditions will feature from time to time, as well.

Adam

If you're looking at some of the poorer parts, then its worth skimming through the Colonial Surgeon's report for 1894.  I know that's earlier than you're working on, but housing conditions really only improved gradually.  He's writing in the light of the plague, and also reflecting on having complained about many of the same dreadful conditions twenty years earlier.  This can be found by searching on HK Government Reports Online at http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/index.jsp

Although this is necessarily all the formal stuff, you may find other material there that will go towards building your picture.