Russ Low

Discovery of his own roots began 30 years ago through the stories of Russ Low's family. Growing up in Central California, his connection to Chinese culture and history was limited and incomplete. Discovering the 1903 Hong family photograph among the belongings of 100-year-old great Uncle Kim sparked a search for the stories behind the photograph. In his searches, Russell came across a 130-year-old newspaper notice titled "Villainous-looking Chinese after a Chinese Girl." He recognized his great-grandparents' names, but the romantic drama it uncovered shook the core of his family's belief in who they are and how they came to be Americans.