The book, Chinatown, San Jose, USA  By Connie Young Yu will be discussed.

Chinatown, San Jose, USA focuses on the Chinese settlement of Heinlenville (located within the boundaries of today's San Jose Japantown). The author draws on family records, correspondence, oral interviews with former residents, and newspaper accounts from 1887 to 1931. The book describes the formation and demise of Heinlenville within the context of Chinese immigration and anti-Chinese legislation that set the stage for discrimination against the Chinese in San Jose and in other cities in California.

Yu, a third-generation Californian, researches and writes extensively on the role and experiences of Chinese-Americans. Much of her work focuses on individuals who both shaped and were shaped by Heinlenville. A few of the colorful characters that have been captured in her stories include the town's founder, John Heinlen, a San Jose businessman and friend of the Chinese community, and Sing Kee, a Heinlenville resident and World War I hero.

Books may be purchased at the JAMsj museum store. If you have questions, please contact Aggie Idemoto at or aggie@jamsj.org.