The Chinese Canadian Collection grew out of several research projects undertaken by three UBC professors, Edgar Wickberg (History), Graham Johnson (Anthropology) and William Willmott (Sociology), which culminated in the publication of the book From China to Canada: A History of the Chinese Communities in Canada (1982). Part of a series of social histories devoted to studying various ethnic groups in Canada, the book was published in association with the Department of the Secretary of State. Also contributing to the book and the background research were Harry Con (Vancouver Chinatown businessman) and R.J. Con, who served with the Secretary of State until his death. The gathering of the material in this collection began with interviews in the late 1960s. Then, in the early 1970s, the group received two major multi-year grants from the Secretary of State to prepare a history of the Chinese in Canada and from the Canada Council to study the organizational adaptation of Vancouver Chinese. In these inquiries, most of the present collection, dating to 1979, was assembled. More recent, related materials were added later.