Fred and Louise put together this album covering their early life together. Betsy has the album and I scanned it while in Colorado in 2021. The album has a green cover that says S.S. Independence, a cruise ship that mainly plied the Atlantic in the 1950s-1960s. I’m not sure when they might have sailed on her unless maybe it did some Pacific routes as well.
The album was only partly annotated so I’m forced to guess on a number of the photos, their time and locations. I’m following the order of pages in the album, even though some of the pages are out of sequence (which bothers me but I’ll respect their editorial prerogative). Anyone who has more information about any of the photos or stories is welcome to comment or contact me.
This album focuses on the years between 1957-1960, in Taiwan and Hong Kong. To see more about Fred and Louise’s life and families before 1957, see Background on Fred and Louise’s Families. For more after 1960, see Barb’s Album from Betsy.
The album opens with what I suppose is a photo of Fred at the Foreign Service language school in Taichung, Taiwan, around 1957. Fred is standing in the dark shirt, third from the right. The small mystery is that I don’t recognize any of his Taiwan colleagues that became lifelong friends.
Fred, standing, 3rd from right. Others??
These seem to be pictures of Taichung, where Fred and Louise were posted between 1956-1958 for immersive Chinese language training. It was a spartan environment, as described by Fred and Louise, and also by David Dean in his book, Unofficial Diplomacy (see Google preview starting on page 48) and also Mary Dean in her memoir.
A few small repairs needed 
Where’s the furniture? 
Outdoor studies 
Louise on a balcony, but I’m not sure where
Fred and Louise with colleagues
Several undated photos that I assume are from Taiwan. The caption are in Louise’s handwriting.
“Fred went out to visit a farm with the other students – here are a couple of farm girls.”
“Fred in front of the house – at the gate” 
“In front of the house, me on my way to school. Golly, look at the backside. Huge, ain’t it”
Fred, around 1957?
In August, 1957, Fred and Louise adopted Betsy Lee Fisher who was born May 18, 1957.
As I understand it, Fred and Louise knew Betsy’s parents in some capacity in Taiwan. I think Betsy’s mother died in complications from childbirth. Betsy had older siblings but the father felt he could not adequately care for Betsy on his own. He knew that Fred and Louise were interested in adopting and Betsy’s father decided she would have a brighter future with them. As a result, Betsy was one of the early babies from Taiwan adopted by American parents.
Louise coming home with Betsy 
Louise and Betsy, walking with Dick and Jean (Donald?) 
Showing off Betsy; there’s Jean and Dick (he got shorter?) again, not sure about others
Louise’s son Douglas was still with his father, Max, in Arizona. Fred and Louise made an effort at some point to formally adopt Douglas, but Max refused.
Douglas (with Max?) 
Fred and Louise getting to know Betsy.
Fred and Louise went on a trip to Okinawa in July 1957 (just before adopting Betsy). I’m not sure for what reason — maybe just for a little league baseball game with the Houbolts?
“It was a single…Little League in Okinawa. Houbolt at bat. Our team won.” 
Louise, with Houbolts 
Fred and Louise with Jan and Mrs. Houbolt and others
I’m not sure if this was the same trip, but photo is captioned “Ja-Ming and Fishers and Houbolts. F.O.C.C.” Not sure what FOCC is.
On the same Okinawa page was this photo. I don’t think it’s Betsy; the note on the back says “To Betsy Lee from Ellen Jean.” Who dat?
Back in Taichung. More baby Betsy.
There’s Jean again 
“We smile for the camera.”
Happy baby Betsy.
Christmas, 1957 in Taichung.
Still Christmas. I’m not sure who these folks are, but I’m able to make some guesses.
Cindy Lee and Mrs. Blanton (?) with Louise and Betsy 
The Babcocks? 
The Blantons?
More baby Betsy shots, in Taichung.
“Cindy Lee Blanton and Betsy” 
More of Betsy in Taichung, 1958. Evidently feeding Betsy was something of an issue.
“Please, Betsy. Please, Betsy” 
“Big nose and baby” 
Evidence of a baby boom in Taichung. Wish I could tell who was who. Dean boys standing in rear?
Spring 1958 in Taichung: “I’ll get out of this cart yet!”
Saying goodbye to…someone. Possibly the Popples who turn up in Hong Kong the next year.
“It rained for the rain festival in Cheonghwa, Taiwan” (I can’t find any information on a town named Cheonghwa or a rain festival in Taiwan).
“It rained for the rain festival” 
“Howard Levy prays for rain” 
Returning to Betsy…
“The school – Spring 1958”
Fred center left in glasses and v-neck sweater…I think
At some point in the spring of 1958, Fred was posted to Hong Kong and moved with Louise and Betsy, though Fred didn’t technically “graduate” from the Language Institute until July, as shown further below.
“Hong Kong Harbor from the veranda of Berry and Lindsay Grants’ apartment looking toward the mainland of China. Far in the background the mountains indicate the boundary of British territory.”
Betsy’s first birthday…evidently in Hong Kong, from the looks of the apartment. The O’Neills and Irelands were in Hong Kong by then. The Deans would soon be there as well.
Nice card from the Donalds 
Who are the Donalds? 
“They gave me a birthday party and Mommie held my hands” 
“Ellen Jane and So Hy, Mommie and Betsy, Blantons, Donalds” 
“Irelands and O’Neills” (So that’s Jessie at lower left, Mary Ellen at upper right, and Mary O’Neill at lower right by Jay Ireland?) 
Betsy the birthday girl, Mary O’Neill at right? 
Betsy at one…and hey look, air conditioning!
The caption to this photo was typed out. What exactly it means is anyone’s guess.
Jean, Bob, the Popples, the Thomases and Louise 
Getting used to Hong Kong.
Betsy and Louise in the “pool” 
???, Betsy, Louise 
John O’Neill in a Fred-like pose
Two photos with the O’Neill girls dated May 31, 1958.
Betsy and Mary O’Neill 
Betsy and Barby O’Neill
(click for whole photo)
“I’m one. I’m one. I’m a big girl now. I’m one!”
Dec. 1958 — In Detroit, I’m guessing.
More photos from Hong Kong, 1958.
Louise with Thompson Dean at his Christening, May 1958 
Fred with Helen McGoines (who?) 
Not sure who 
An early model airplane on Fred’s worktable
Fred’s Mom and Dad took a trip to Denver.
“Dad and Mother in Denver, Colo.” 
“Friend & Mother in Denver, Colo.”
Photos of two families, one from Hong Kong and one from Taichung.
“Philip, Ellen and Polly Chen” (?) 
“Camelle Lee, Simone Lee, Linda Lee, Wong Taitai, Betsy. Taichung.”
Betsy…in Hong Kong and Detroit.
In Detroit, December 1958? Great boots! 
“July 1959”
Fred’s hard-earned diploma from the Foreign Service Institute. An intensive 20 months of study, dated July 15, 1958…after Fred and Louise were already in Hong Kong. (Side note: Howard S. Levy has a very eclectic list of writing credits, including multiple translations of Chinese erotica and sex jokes…assuming this is the same guy, which it appears to be. His daughter, Dr. Indra Levy, is on the faculty at Stanford and Executive Director of a Japanese language institute where she mentions her father. It was an interesting but inconclusive internet rabbit hole.)
Having some fun in Hong Kong. The restaurant in the pictures, the Dragon Inn, was a pre-War one in Castle Peak that still exists. It seems to have been famous but I hadn’t heard of it until now.
Driving with the bug 
“Dragon Inn, Castle Peak, Kowloon Hong Kong. Mommie, Betsy and Frank Tato.” 
The Fisher home in Hong Kong was a U.S. government-provided apartment at 222 Prince Edward Road, Flat #5, Kowloon, HK. Telephone 52403. Drop in sometime. For what it’s worth, the building now at this address was built in 1961, not long after the Fishers left.
These photos are from October 1958. Not sure who Betsy was calling but it was a serious conversation. Maybe her new sister-to-be, Barby. Or maybe not.
More shots from the apartment, with Hsia Chin, the Fishers’ amah, cook and housekeeper.
Betsy and Hsia Chin 
In November 1958, Fred, Louise and Betsy went on home leave for the first time since Betsy’s birth. Barb was born in October and placed “on hold” before they left. The earlier pictures of Betsy in a snow suit are from this trip. Looks like they first visited Louise’s family in Downer’s Grove, Illinois, for Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving dinner 
Louise’s parents, Poppy and Nanny
Back in Hong Kong.
Betsy on the beach at Castle Peak 
Kenny and Tommy Dean 
??? 
I’m pretty sure this is Mrs. Blanton (Peg?) and Cindy Lee from Jan. 1959
Home leave visit in November-December 1958, first at Aunt Leona Uncle and Larry’s house at 4517 Stanley Road in Downer’s Grove, Illinois. Then it was at Grandpa and Gamma Fisher’s, 6236 Cheyenne Road, Detroit, Michigan.
In Detroit 
In Illinois
More photos from Detroit, Christmas 1958. One photo is with Misha Allix, a completely new name to me — not sure of her connection at all. Friends? Neighbors? We will see Misha and her husband shortly. Misha is a Russian diminutive of the name Michael or Mikhail, typically male but not necessarily, as we can see.
Betsy with Fred’s dad, Robert 
Betsy with Fred’s mom, Helen 
Betsy with Misha Allix
More from 1958 Christmas in Detroit.
Fred’s mom and dad 
Betsy and Louise 
Betsy and Grandma Helen 
Betsy and Grandpa Robert
Here are the Allix’s in Detroit. Also, Jeremy and David Ho (not Wu…confusing) — so are the Hsia Chin’s kids Jeremy and David that we grew up to know, or someone else? I’m pretty sure this picture is placed here in the album because it was a Christmas picture.
Mr. Allix (not Walt Disney) 
Misha Allix 
“David and Jeremy Ho” (huh?)
Betsy on the Fisher’s 1958 holiday card
Thanksgiving in Chicago, 1958…plus Jan Houbolt.
Gramma Mary (Nanny), Betsy, Stewart 
Stewart and Betsy 
Jan Houbolt
Back in Hong Kong, early 1959.
??? 
??? and Betsy 
Fred, Betsy and ??? 
Betsy and shoes 
Fred, Louise, Betsy
Betsy…just a little worried
One of the big cultural items in late 1950s America was Shari Lewis and Lambchop. Fred and Louise made sure Betsy stayed current.
Betsy with Lambchop 
Fred being Shari 
Louise boating in HK 
Duane & Cindi Blanton, May 1959
Fred made a visit to Macau (I recognize the Ruins of St. Paul’s) with someone. Not sure of the timing but maybe around 1959.
At the Ruins of St. Paul’s 
Fred and Siamese twin
In March, 1959, Fred and Louise formally adopted baby Barbara Helen Fisher and brought her home. For Barb’s 40th birthday, Betsy pulled a number of photos from this album to make Barb’s Album from Betsy. I haven’t tried to figure out how to reintegrate them, so for the time being they will be in separate posts.
At a birthday party…was it Betsy’s 2nd or someone else’s?
We just saw them above, but still don’t know who they are. 
Betsy contemplates numbers and life
Fred being diplomatic at someone’s wedding.
Fred regales groom 
The happy couple, whomever they may be 
Louise enjoying Hong Kong life.
Louise and Betsy reading about ducks 
Boating beauties 
Louise making fashion choices with ??? 
Louise in the photo but not the caption
Fred not only built model airplanes. He also tried his hand at radio controlled boats. Pretty spiffy!
Betsy enjoying Hong Kong.
Betsy all dressed up for Easter (?) and for school.
Nursery school class. Find Betsy…seated 2nd from left? Barb not yet?
Betsy and Barb at home and Betsy (and Louise) at another birthday party.
Fred and Louise wining and dining in Hong Kong.
Louise in fur; Betsy in background 
Fred chatting up a glamour lady 
Louise explaining the facts of the matter 
Fred and colleagues 
Fred and Louise meeting and greeting
Fred and Louise at a distinguished table
At the end of August 1959, Louise’s father died and she returned to the states for a month to help resettle her Mom with Aunt Leona in Downer’s Grove, Illinois.
The happy couple: Nanny and Grandpa Charlie 
October 1958
Fred was left in Hong Kong with the girls and somehow survived, no doubt mainly due to Hsia Chin actually taking care of all three of them.
Won’t you help these girls?
Fred received this commendation for 10 years of service to the U.S. Information Agency and other government service. I’m not quite sure if that includes his military service, but it would make sense if this was awarded in 1959 which is where it sits in the album. Either way, congrats!
Photos of Hsia Chin Wu’s family (I think), including Jeremy and David. I’m guessing these are related to Fred and Louise’s efforts to get them visas to live in the United States.
David? 
Jeremy? 
The Wu family: Hsia Chin, Lao Wu, Jeremy and David (?)
Christmas 1959 in Hong Kong.
A party at Fred and Louise’s house. Not sure for who, but I like to think it’s for Fred’s office mates at USIA. They seem to be having a good time.
Cards and cognac, a classic combination 
Louise enjoying a laugh
Boating and other activities in Hong Kong in the summer of 1960. David and Mary Dean bought a junk along with some others (the Irelands? O’Neills?) and there were many weekend outings to the waters and islands surrounding Hong Kong.
John O’Neill with a camera 
Louise ashore with a Coke and sunblock 
Jessie O’Neill and Mary? 
Mary Dean with Tom and Ken 
David Dean at the helm 
Betsy up top, Mary and Tom below 
Fred and Betsy with Ken or possibly an O’Neill or Ireland or someone
Different trip, same idea for Louise and Betsy
Around the time of Barb’s 2nd birthday party in 1960?
Mary Dean discusses childrens’ hatwear with someone. 
Betsy and Barb 
Louis, Barb and Betsy at the center of the whilrlwind. Mary Dean in back.
Fred and Betsy 
Louise, Betsy and Barb out for a walk
Christmas 1960 and thereabouts.
Hsia Chin, Fred, Barb and Betsy share a laugh 
Fred on the town 
Thus ends this album. Tucked in the back of the album was this treasure of a letter from Penang in 1955 that Louise wrote/typed. It’s the only thing we have, for now, from their time in Penang or Singapore.
Sometime later, maybe in the 1970s, Fred took a mystery trip with a mystery family to a mystery location – possibly Malaysia (back to Penang?). I don’t know where, when or with who, but here are the photos.
Charming snake charmer 
Maybe Malaysia or Indonesia, based on the sign? 
Do we recognize these folks? 
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