Guide to the Him Mark Lai Papers M2006
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
2018
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Language of Material:
Chinese
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Him Mark Lai papers
creator:
Lai, H. Mark
Identifier/Call Number: M2006
Physical Description:
4 Linear Feet
(5 boxes, one oversize folder)
Date (inclusive): 1907-2010
Abstract: Him Mark Lai (1925-2009) was a writer, historian, and archivist of Chinese America. This collections primarily consists of
his own family history, particularly that of the Mark/Mai clan, and his parents’ immigration to California.
Biographical / Historical
Him Mark Lai (1925-2009) was the eldest child of parents who immigrated to America during the period of Chinese Exclusion.
He was a scholar and activist in the area of Chinese America, the “Dean of Chinese American history”, whose involvement in
teaching established much of the groundwork for which the topic would be understood and the way in which further research
would occur. Lai studied engineering in college and worked in the field at Bechtel Power Corporation for 30 years, but he
also had a lifelong interest in history, dedicating work and service to the Chinese-American community.
Scope and Contents
The Him Mark Lai papers is primarily composed of Lai’s research into his own family history, particularly that of the Mark/Mai
clan, and his parents’ immigration to California. In addition to this are papers relating to his employment as an engineer
at Bechtel as well as correspondence and draft copies of his contributions to publications and studies in the area of Chinese
American history.
The collection consists of correspondence between himself, his father, and their relatives in China, spanning a period of
about a hundred years from the 1910s to the 2000s, photographs, identification cards, newspaper articles, and genealogical
research into the Mai family name and origins. These include web page printouts, maps, immigration files, Mai clan genealogy
books, and a taped interview with his mother on cassette tape.
There are also a commemorative booklet to celebrate Lai’s 70th birthday, group photos from the 2002 Wuyi Overseas Chinese
History and Culture Studies International Conference, photo negatives and carbon prints, and a large genealogical poster for
the descendants of Lew Kan from 1999.
Related Materials
The Him Mark Lai papers and research files at the Ethnic Studies Library of UC Berkeley consist of over 500 linear feet of
material relating to his research, professional activities, writings, and personal papers.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Him Mark Lai papers (M2006). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford
University Libraries, Stanford, California.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual materials
are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.
Conditions Governing Use
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Chinese Americans -- History
Genealogies.
Lai, H. Mark
Series 1: Genealogy and personal papers
Box 1, Folder 2
Family history drafts and other papers
Box 1, Folder 9-10
Post-war letters
1946-1959
Box 2, Folder 4-5, half-box 5, Folder 5
Mai family research files
Box 2, Folder 7-9
Lai family artifacts
1912-1955
Box 3, Folder 1-3
Family correspondence
1978-2002
half-box 5, Folder 3-4
Immigration INS testimony
Series 2: Public work and other files
half-box 5, Folder 1
Him Mark Lai 70th birthday booklet
1995
Box 3, Folder 8
Employment records
1966-1995
Box 3, Folder 12
Correspondence with publishers
1999-2010
Box 3, Folder 13
On becoming Chinese American copies
2003
half-box 4, Folder 4
Correspondence with booksellers
1967-1992
half-box 4, Folder 5
Miscellaneous letters received
map-folder 6
廖氏族譜 Descendants of Lew Kan
1999
