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China


Goal 1: Archives, Libraries, Research


Explorations

Partners and Sites:   FamilySearch   Ancestry   MyHeritage  |  Websites:   FS Wiki  

China Provinces



Goal 1: Get started with research in China.


Choices


ALearn the basics of Chinese genealogy.


  1. Starting: Here are some tips for starting your Chinese genealogy.

    LT—3 Tips to Kick Off Your Chinese Genealogy Research
    FHD—Chinese-American Genealogy: A Beginner's Guide to Tracing Your Ancestry - 2023

  2. Read this guide to getting started from the Chinese Family History site.

    Tips for Getting Started

  3. Chinese-American: Learn more about Chinese-American genealogy in these videos.

    AA—Chinese-American Genealogy—55:29 - 2016


    BYU—Introduction to Chinese Genealogy—49:12 - 2019



  4. Learn how to do Chinese genealogy without knowing Chinese.

    Chinese Genealogy Research w/o Having to Know Chinese—43:51 - 2019


  5. Here are some additional tips for doing Chinese genealogy in America.

    Tips for Conducting Chinese Genealogy Research in America—46:22 - 2019


  6. Research Guides: Access several research guides in Chinese on the FamilySearch site.
  7. Technology: Learn how technology can be an essential part of Chinese research.

    RT—The Role of Technology in Chinese Genealogy - 2019

  8. Qingtime: Learn about the Qingtime website that helps each Chinese person have his or her own genealogy.


BLearn about Chinese genealogies and ancestral village research.


  1. Jiapu: Learn about Chinese records and genealogy books (Jiapu or Zupu).

    FS—How to Find My Chinese Ancestors - 2022
    Zupu

  2. Genealogy Books: Learn how to interpret old Chinese genealogy books.

    Interpreting Chinese Genealogy Books—42:33 - 2019


  3. Learn how to find Chinese genealogies on FamilySearch.

    Finding Chinese Genealogies on FamilySearch—3:26 - 2020


  4. Here are some considerations for working with Chinese genealogies.

    BYU—Considerations in Researching and Recording Chinese Genealogies Part 1—29:35 - 2022



    BYU—Considerations in Researching and Recording Chinese Genealogies Part 2—44:43 - 2022



  5. Discover old sources for Chinese genealogy in this Legacy Tree article.

    LT—How to Find the Holy Grail of Chinese Genealogy

  6. Ancestral Villages: Learn about doing research in ancestral villages.

    Finding Your Ancestral Village in China—9:05 - 2010



Exercises


CLearn about other resources for Chinese research.


  1. Archives & Libraries: Learn about China archives and libraries in this FamilySearch Wiki article.

    FS—Wiki: China_Archives and Libraries

  2. Search for free online books on China research on the FamilySearch site.
  3. Resources: Learn how to find genealogy information in non-traditional sources.

    Chinese Family History in Personal Documents and Non-Traditional Sources—33:51 - 2019


  4. Learn about information you can find from Chinese burials and tombstones.

    RT—Chinese Burials and Tombstones—14:27 - 2022



Databases
  1. Search the My China Roots village database.
  2. Search the My China Roots clan database.
  3. Learn more about the My China Roots site in this video.

    RT—Introducing My China Roots: A Genealogy Platform for Tracing Chinese Ancestors—35:51 - 2024


  4. Explore the Forebears.io site for research records.

DLearn about language aids and Chinese name research.


  1. Personal Names: Learn about Chinese personal names.

    FS—China Names, Personal

  2. Names: Learn about researching Chinese names in these articles.

    FS—Chinese Last Names: A History of Culture and Family - 2019
    AC—Chinese Names: Generational Names, First Names, and Their Meanings - 2023

  3. Learn about the challenges of working with Chinese names in research.

    What Is in a Name? - Pieces, Patterns & Pitfalls as They Apply to Chinese Genealogy—52:17 - 2019


  4. Search the Rootsweb Chinese Surname list.database
  5. Search the My China Roots surname database.
  6. Search the Geneanet site for Chinese surnames.
  7. Language: Learn about researching Chinese names in these videos.

    RT: Chinese Genealogy Research: Reading and Understanding Jiapu, Part 1 (15:18) - 2021



    RT: Chinese Genealogy Research: Reading and Understanding Jiapu, Part 2 (10:23) - 2021



QUIKLinks


Exercises