Certificate of Residence for Lee Kam Ngan, 1901
Certificates of Residence were the first photographic identification required of non-citizens in the United States, specifically from those of Chinese descent. First issued in 1892 on the U.S. mainland and later in Hawaii after annexation in 1900, these documents may have captured the only surviving photograph of a Chinese ancestor who resided in the United States in the late 19th century. While additional copies or originals might exist within individual immigration files, this series represents the only known, albeit incomplete, set of these certificates, making it an indispensable resource for researchers.
Certificate No. 28406 for five-year old Lee Kam Ngan is one certificate of residence issued in Hawaii on June 13, 1901, under the Provisions of the Act of April 30, 1900. The National Archives at San Francisco holds certificates numbered 28401 to 28499 and these are available online for you to view and download.
Certificate of Residence for Lee Kam Ngan from Duplicate Chinese Certificates of Residence, 1901. National Archives Identifier: 286023704.
You can explore more records held in the National Archives at San Francisco by searching our online Catalog or by visiting our research room in person. We encourage researchers to contact us to learn more about our holdings or to schedule an appointment.