People

Family voices — five authors

Family

1. Tsai Ya-pao Author / mother / grandmother Born in 1934 in Hemei, Changhua, with twin fifth daughter. From a Lukang gentry family; self-taught and diligent reader; married Air Force master sergeant Tang Ben-chang.
2. Tang Ben-chang Spouse / from Sichuan / Air Force master sergeant From Sichuan, Air Force master sergeant. Married on Air Force Day, 14 August 1950. Gentle in character, devoted to wife and family.
3. Tang Guang-hua Eldest son Eldest son. Graduated Cheng Kung Senior High and National Chengchi University political science. Wrote the preface “A mother unafraid of adversity” for the memoir.
4. Tang Chun-lan Eldest daughter Eldest daughter. Born in Penghu; nursing school graduate. Wrote the preface “Mother’s sewing machine”.
5. Tang Chun-fang Second daughter Second daughter, born in Qiao'ai village. Wrote the preface “The story goes on”.
6. Tang Guang-de Second son Second son. While she was writing, typed her pencil manuscripts into the computer every weekend. Later ran the blog “Wild kids of Mingde Village”. Author of the afterword appendix.
7. Tang Guang-yi Third son Third son. Wrote the preface “Family treasure”.
8. Tang Zong-hao Grandson Grandson. Wrote the preface “Gritting teeth to build a dream”.
9. Tang Zong-han Eldest grandson Once gave her a handwriting input pad.

Maternal family

1. Father Tsai Police officer Served in the police; loved classical Chinese, enjoyed composing poetry and couplets. Lost wives in succession and remarried when she was three and five.
2. Birth mother Birth mother Died young at thirty-seven, leaving five children.
3. Second mother Stepmother Entered the household after birth mother died; also died young.
4. Third mother (Chen) Stepmother Entered after second stepmother died. Strongly opposed her marriage to a mainlander.
5. Eldest brother Eldest brother Studied at the School of Tropical Medicine; died in the South Seas from malaria.
6. Grandmother Grandmother (bound feet) Raised on the Four Books and Analects. Doted on her most and encouraged her to pursue happiness.
7. Fifth uncle Fifth uncle Puli. In 1945 a family of eight evacuated to his home.
8. Aunt and uncle by marriage Relatives Where she met spouse through arranged introduction; elder aunt was childless, so second sister was given to her as adopted daughter.

Helpers

1. Miss Wu Matchmaker / interpreter Introduced her and her spouse.
2. A-mei Neighbour Taught her to weave fishing nets to supplement household income.
3. Huang Qi-miao Air Force squadron leader Supported her local–mainlander marriage.
4. Lukang police sub-station chief Police sub-station chief Supported her marriage and helped secure father's consent.
5. Mrs Wang / Mrs Luo Dependants' village neighbours Neighbours who helped one another in Mingde Village.
6. Father Ba Priest Helped her receive Catholic baptism.
7. Xu Zhen-guo / Mr Wang Helpers People who helped along the children's schooling and daily life.