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One characteristic of the Chinese communities in
regional New South Wales in the nineteenth century was that they
were overwhelmingly male. Traditionally, Chinese men emigrated on
their own leaving wives and mothers behind. The intention was eventually
to return. The result was that very few Chinese women migrated to
Australia. The 1901 Immigration Restriction Act made it even more
difficult, if not impossible, for Chinese women to immigrate and
settle in Australia.
With the shortage of Chinese women, some of the
Chinese men resident in Australia broke cultural barriers and married
European and Aboriginal women. Occasionally these men also had wives
in China. Often marriage in Australia meant the founding of Australian
families.
William and Adelaide Ah Kinn of Urana, about 1900. (Private collection). 
William Ah Kinn was one of a number of Chinese
men who married a woman with no Chinese ancestry. His wife, Adelaide
Lamont, was born in Scotland. The Ah Kinns had a market garden in
Urana. Adelaide Ah Kinn (1839-1904) is buried in the Urana cemetery.
Descendants believe William Ah Kinn returned to China and died there.
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