Asian Genealogy Resources
Researching family history for Asian ancestors is a complex and difficult project. Knowing the language and the culture will be essential for success. Traveling to the country, or hiring a researcher within the country to allow for direct access to the records, will likely be essential. Asian genealogy has the poorest representation of online information but it is increasing every month.
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FamilySearch Asian Resources
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In the long run FamilySearch will solve the problem of access to records with its active filming and transcription of original records worldwide. Since 2010, FamilySearch has placed 6 million searchable records online from China, India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. This level of effort will continue, and since it is a free service, searching for Asian ancestors should start here. Use both the surname search tools and browse through the various locality sources, since some of them are only in image form and have not been indexed as yet. You can reach the localities records by using the "Browse by Location" option at the bottom of the first page.
FamilySearch Wiki
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A wiki is a website that allows for user collaboration. This wiki contains the most complete set of guides to Asian Resources. The simple search for "Asian Genealogy" turned up 101 articles that focus on each of the various countries. There appears to be an article detailing the available web sites for most countries including for example North Korea, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Mongolia and South Korea. There is another set of articles similar to this one: "Beginning Research in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea" which provides an introduction to the resources for family history research and addresses or web sites of government agencies.
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WorldGenWeb: Asia
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The WorldGenWeb is a linked set of volunteers dedicated to providing free online genealogy resources and guides to their own area. Each continent or major area has a controlling page and then each country has its own main page. Start with the World GenWeb site and use the maps and options to find the specific country you require. Most countries require a volunteer "host" to take over development of the sites but they still have resources. Japan has separate websites for most prefectures, which are like states or provinces in North America.
RootsWeb and Cyndi's List
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These two websites are among the earliest online genealogical resources. They have maintained their leadership and provide excellent resources. Neither of them has a large number of Asian resources but whatever is available will be located in Cyndi's list. Search her list by both surname and locality. Search by surname at RootsWeb to discover if anyone else is already working on the family line. Then check out the forums or "boards" where researchers post questions about family history topics and other researchers reply if they can help. Post ancestor queries here, generally by country or smaller units within the country, to get information and help from other researchers.
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References
Resources
- Asian Databases: Asian Surname Search
- PBS: Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. - Yo-Yo Ma
- The World GenWeb Project: The AsiaGenWeb Project
- PBS: Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. - Trace Your Family History
- Cyndi's List: Asia and the Pacific
- National Archives: Genealogy: Ethnic Heritage
- Chinese Genealogical Resources
- The Library of Congress: The Chinese in California 1850-1925
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
