When my Hawaiian grandmother and her sister were born, in the last years of the Hawaiian kingdom, they did not receive birth certificates. At that time, there were many births at home, or at the homes of family friends serving as midwives, where the formalities such as birth certificates were not part of the process.
So some 60 years later, in mid-1948, the two women each submitted an application for a Certificate of Hawaiian Birth. This involved providing testimony about their parents and siblings, with supporting testimony by family friends who could verify they had been born in Hawaii.
My grandmother, Heleualani Eva Cathcart Yonge, was the older sister. Helen Mary Kahooilimoku Cathcart McPherson was two years younger. Their father, Robert William Cathcart, was Irish. Their mother, Kina, was Hawaiian.
The records show their applications were supported by Jennie Wilson, who was married to then-Honolulu mayor and one of the founders of Hawaii’s Democratic Party, John H. Wilson.
Wilson testified she was a “schoolmate” of the girls’ mother, Kina.
Further support also came from Harriett Baker, who I know little about. Baker testified that Helen was born at her family home, near the corner of Punchbowl and Vineyard, with her mother assisting in the birth.
In any case, I found portions of their applications, with some of the supporting testimony, in my sister’s papers. These were duplicated from copies made in 1979 and filed in the Mormon’s genealogical library.
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Very interesting info on your family. The Mormons are great at collecting and keeping that type of history.
It is revealing of the era that many questions on these old documents pertain to “racial extraction.” I found similar information required of my parents on my certificate from 1947.
I suppose in these days of “race is nothin’ but a social construct” thinking and Liz Warren passing herself of as a Native American without a blink of an eyelash from liberals, this certificate’s inquiries into racial identity might come off as quaint. But such info might very well have been necessary to help establish one’s own (as well as their descendant’s) eligibility for things like the Hawn. Homestead program or admission into Kamehameha Schools.
I am curious: what would being of “Irish racial extraction” (as I am in part) establish one’s eligibility for? At least one ethnic stereotype does come to mind!
That’s a good question. I suppose you could look into seeing if your ancestry makes you eligible to claim Irish citizenship, if you are so inclined. Beyond that, you should do your own research as to anything else you might be entitled to.
I think it’s one generation away from qualifying for Irish citizenship. My mother could have applied, if I understand the requirements correctly.
I don’t think that “Hawaiian” referred to ethnicity but to geography. My non-ethic-Hawaiian father also received a Certificate of Hawaiian Birth confirming that he was born in 1908 in the Territory of Hawaii. And Allen N., Sunday is best observed as a day of rest, whether religiously or secularly.
John and I were not merely referring to the title of the certificate, but the information that was taken from the interview/questionnaire on the application for the certificate. Go ahead and take the time to actually read the documents that Ian posted. You will find references to “pure Hawaiian” and “part Hawaiian.”
And while I may have posted my comment on a Sunday, John and I were responding to something Ian posted on a Saturday. As if the day of the week is even relevant here. I’ll leave it others to impose their personal/religious views on others.