Tse Family Association

Kelvin Tse, President of the Tse Family Association

謝氏宗親會會長

President, Tse Family Association

A Message from Our President

Kelvin Tse謝凱文

✦

"Our Association has stood for over 140 years because every generation understood one simple truth: we are stronger together. To every Tse family member — whether you were born in San Francisco's Chinatown or arrived last week — you have a home here. Our doors are open, our community is warm, and our history is your history."

Kelvin Tse has served as President of the Tse Family Association since 2018, building on decades of civic leadership in San Francisco's Chinatown. A respected community voice, he has championed expanded scholarship programs, intergenerational dialogue, and the preservation of Cantonese heritage in the Bay Area.

Kelvin Tse · 謝凱文

President, Tse Family Association · San Francisco

About Us

A Pillar of San Francisco's
Chinatown Since the 1880s

The Tse Family Association (謝氏宗親會) is one of San Francisco's oldest Chinese clan associations, formed by early Cantonese immigrants bearing the surname Tse (謝 — pronounced "Xie" in Mandarin, "Tse" or "Chia" in Cantonese). Like many family associations of the era, it arose out of necessity: to protect, support, and advocate for newcomers in an unfamiliar land.

Today we continue that tradition — offering scholarship programs, cultural preservation initiatives, senior outreach, and a warm community for all Tse descendants and their families across the Bay Area and beyond.

家

Family

義

Righteousness

禮

Respect

德

Virtue

謝

"Drink water and think of its source."

飲水思源 — Chinese Proverb

Sacramento Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, CA

Our History

Over a Century of
Resilience and Community

From the Gold Rush to today, the Tse Family Association has witnessed and shaped the story of Chinese Americans in San Francisco.

1850s–1860s

The Great Migration

Thousands of Cantonese immigrants — many from Guangdong Province — arrived in California drawn by the Gold Rush and railroad construction. Tse clan members were among the earliest settlers, facing harsh discrimination and dangerous working conditions.

1880s

Association Founded

The Tse Family Association was formally established in San Francisco's Chinatown to provide mutual aid, dispute mediation, employment assistance, and a shared community space for Tse clan members navigating life in America. A building was secured on Sacramento Street.

1882

Chinese Exclusion Act

The Chinese Exclusion Act barred Chinese laborers from entering the United States. The Association became a vital lifeline — helping members navigate the legal system, maintain family connections across borders, and preserve community morale during this dark chapter.

1906

Rising from the Earthquake

The San Francisco earthquake and fire devastated Chinatown. Like the broader community, the Tse Association rallied to rebuild. Records were lost, but the community's spirit was not — the Association re-established itself and helped members reconstruct their lives.

1943

Magnuson Act — Turning the Tide

The repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act opened a new chapter. Many Tse family members served in World War II, fighting for a country that had long denied them rights. The post-war era brought new members, new citizens, and renewed purpose to the Association.

1965–Present

Growth & Modernisation

The Immigration Act of 1965 opened the doors to a new wave of Chinese immigrants. The Association expanded its programs to include scholarship funds, youth mentorship, language classes and digital outreach — while remaining rooted in its founding values.

Programs & Services

Serving Our Community
at Every Stage of Life

🎓

Scholarship Fund

Annual scholarships awarded to Tse family members pursuing higher education. Awards range from $500 to $2,000, with preference given to first-generation college students demonstrating financial need and community involvement.

Apply for a Scholarship →

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Senior Outreach

Monthly gatherings, health information sessions, and social events for elder members of our community. We assist with navigation of social services, Medicare enrollment, and provide companionship to reduce isolation.

Learn More →

🏮

Cultural Preservation

Cantonese language classes, genealogy workshops, calligraphy sessions, and an oral history project to document the stories of early Tse immigrants. We maintain clan records and ancestral tablet archives.

Get Involved →

🤝

Newcomer Assistance

Supporting newly arrived Tse family members with practical guidance on housing, employment, English language resources, and community connections — continuing our founding mission of mutual aid for over 140 years.

Seek Assistance →

📜

Genealogy & Records

Our archivists maintain comprehensive genealogical records tracing Tse lineage back to ancestral villages in Guangdong Province. Members can request research assistance to connect with their family roots.

Research Your Roots →

⚖️

Community Advocacy

Active representation within the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (六大公司) and engagement with San Francisco civic bodies to advocate for the rights and interests of Chinese Americans in the Bay Area.

Learn More →

Upcoming Events

Mark Your Calendar

JAN 29

Annual

Lunar New Year Banquet

Our most beloved annual gathering. Join hundreds of Tse family members for a traditional ten-course banquet, lion dance performances, and the presentation of this year's scholarships. Black tie optional.

🕖 6:30 PM 📍 Gold Mountain Restaurant, Chinatown

APR 5

Ceremony

Qingming Cemetery Ceremony

Annual grave-sweeping ceremony at Colma to honor our ancestors. Offerings, incense, and a moment of quiet reflection for those who built the foundation we stand on.

🕙 10:00 AM 📍 Cypress Lawn, Colma, CA

JUN 14

Education

Scholarship Awards Ceremony

Celebrating the achievements of Tse family students across the Bay Area. Recipients are announced and honored in front of the full membership.

🕑 2:00 PM 📍 Association Hall, Sacramento St

SEP 29

Cultural

Mid-Autumn Festival Gathering

Mooncakes, lanterns, and family. Join us for an evening celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival with traditional music, moon-viewing, and stories for the children.

🕔 4:00 PM 📍 Portsmouth Square, Chinatown

NOV 8

Meeting

Annual General Meeting

All members are welcome to attend the AGM — review of the year's activities, election of officers, and community discussion on the Association's direction for the coming year.

🕖 6:00 PM 📍 Association Hall, Sacramento St

DEC 21

Social

Winter Solstice Dinner 冬至

Celebrate Dongzhi with the association family. Traditional tangyuan, seasonal dishes, and warm company as we mark the longest night and look toward the new year together.

🕔 5:00 PM 📍 Association Hall, Sacramento St

Membership

Join the Tse Family
Association

Membership is open to all individuals bearing the Tse (謝) surname, their spouses, and descendants. We welcome members from across the Bay Area and throughout the Chinese diaspora.

General Member

$50 / year

✓ Access to all social events
✓ Voting rights at AGM
✓ Scholarship eligibility
✓ Association newsletter
✓ Use of Association Hall

Join Now

Enquire or Register

Fill in your details and we will be in touch within two business days.

✓

Thank you! We will be in touch shortly.

Find Us

Visit the Association Hall

📍

Address

Sacramento Street
Chinatown, San Francisco
CA 94108

🕐

Office Hours

Monday – Friday
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed public holidays

📞

Phone

(415) 982-xxxx
Cantonese & English spoken

✉️

Email

info@tsefamilyassociation.org
We reply within 2 business days

📍

Chinatown, San Francisco

Sacramento Street · Grant Avenue District