Family Sources

Information about your family history will be found in family sources and in Documents and Records.

Chinese families have kept genealogical records for centuries. For more information on the genealogical tradition in China and locating family genealogies, see Back to China.

Other types of family sources of genealogical information fall into several major categories:

People

Grandparents, aunts, uncles and others can provide information that it may be impossible to find anywhere else. This section provides a set of interview questions and offers tips for successful interviewing.

Heirlooms and Family Treasures

Families have often collected photographs and other items over the years. These can provide very useful information and clues.

Clan Associations

Chinese people who emigrated to foreign countries continued the tradition of forming clan associations, another potential source of genealogical information.

Photo banner: Detail from VPL Historical Photograph 70242