Genealogy book
Encyclopedia
A genealogy book or register is used in Asia
, and Europe
to record the family history of ancestors.
During the Cultural revolution
, many of the books were forcefully destroyed or burned to ashes
, because they were considered by the Chinese communist party as among the Four Old Things
to be eschewed. Therefore much valuable cultural history was destroyed forever. Fortunately in Taiwan
, Hong Kong
, and areas untouched by the revolution, many Chinese people still kept their genealogy books, some of which are even a few thousand years old.
have been a subject of study for many years and have been microfilmed by Genealogical Society of Utah
(GSU) USA.
In India
, Michael Lobo has been involved in documenting and compiling the history and genealogy of families belonging to the Mangalorean Catholic community since 1993, under a research project entitled "A Genealogical Encyclopaedia of Mangalorean Catholic Families". As of 2009, his work covers over a thousand families and is being continually updated with names and records of new families. Lobo claims that the Mangalorean Catholic community has the distinction of being the only community in the world to possess its own genealogical encyclopaedia.
and Anglo-Norman
Ireland. A number of the more notable books include:
Families who were professional historians included Clan Ó Duibhgeannáin
, Ó Cléirigh
, Clan MacFhirbhisigh
, Ó Maolconaire
.
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
to record the family history of ancestors.
Chinese genealogical books
It is the Chinese tradition to record family members in a book, including every male born in the family, who they are married to, etc. Traditionally, only males' names are recorded in the books.During the Cultural revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
, many of the books were forcefully destroyed or burned to ashes
Book burning
Book burning, biblioclasm or libricide is the practice of destroying, often ceremoniously, books or other written material and media. In modern times, other forms of media, such as phonograph records, video tapes, and CDs have also been ceremoniously burned, torched, or shredded...
, because they were considered by the Chinese communist party as among the Four Old Things
Four Olds
The Four Olds or the Four Old Things were Old Customs, Old Culture, Old Habits, and Old Ideas. One of the stated goals of the Cultural Revolution in the People's Republic of China was to bring an end to the Four Olds...
to be eschewed. Therefore much valuable cultural history was destroyed forever. Fortunately in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, and areas untouched by the revolution, many Chinese people still kept their genealogy books, some of which are even a few thousand years old.
Indian genealogical books
In India, the Hindu genealogy registers at HaridwarHindu genealogy registers at Haridwar
Genealogy registers, of Hindu families, maintained by Brahmin Pandits or ‘Pandas’, who double up as professional genealogists, at Haridwar, has been a subject of study for many years now...
have been a subject of study for many years and have been microfilmed by Genealogical Society of Utah
Genealogical Society of Utah
The Genealogical Society of Utah , established in 1894, does business as FamilySearch International, which is the genealogical arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
(GSU) USA.
In India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Michael Lobo has been involved in documenting and compiling the history and genealogy of families belonging to the Mangalorean Catholic community since 1993, under a research project entitled "A Genealogical Encyclopaedia of Mangalorean Catholic Families". As of 2009, his work covers over a thousand families and is being continually updated with names and records of new families. Lobo claims that the Mangalorean Catholic community has the distinction of being the only community in the world to possess its own genealogical encyclopaedia.
Irish genealogical books
Genealogy has been a fundamental part of Irish culture since prehistory. Of the many surviving manuscripts, a large number are devoted to genealogy, either for a single family, or many. It was practised in both GaelicGaels
The Gaels or Goidels are speakers of one of the Goidelic Celtic languages: Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx. Goidelic speech originated in Ireland and subsequently spread to western and northern Scotland and the Isle of Man....
and Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
Ireland. A number of the more notable books include:
- Leabhar na nGenealachLeabhar na nGenealachLeabhar na nGenealach is a massive genealogical collection written mainly in the years 1649 to 1650, at the college-house of St. Nicholas's church, Galway, by Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh. He continued to add material until at least 1666, five years before he was murdered in 1671...
(The Great Book of Irish Genealogies) - The Ó Cléirigh Book of Genealogies
- The Book of the BurkesThe Book of the BurkesThe Book of the Burkes, illuminated Gaelic manuscript, late 16th century.A lavishly illuminated 16th century volume of seventy-five folios, twenty-two of which remain blank. It was made for Sir Seaán mac Oliver Burke, the McWilliam of Mayo. Sir Seaán was the McWilliam from 1571 to 1580, the book...
- Leabhar Adhamh Ó CianáinLeabhar Adhamh Ó CianáinLeabhar Adhamh Ó Cianáin or The Book of Adhamh Ó Cianáin, now G 2-3 NLI , is a book written in or about the 1340s by Adhamh Ó Cianáin by and for himself, and out of the book of his teacher, Seán Mór Ó Dubhagáin....
- An Leabhar MuimhneachAn Leabhar MuimhneachAn Leabhar Muimhneach, also known as The Book of Munster, is an Irish genealogical manuscript.An Leabhar Muimhneach is preserved in a number of 18th century manuscripts, the best been the work of the scribe Richard Tipper of Dublin, 1716-1717...
- Leabhar DonnLeabhar DonnLeabhar Donn, a 15th century genealogical manuscript, seemingly written and compiled on the borders of Sligo and Leitrim. Written in two periods; 1432x1441, and 1476x1482.-External links:...
Families who were professional historians included Clan Ó Duibhgeannáin
Clan Ó Duibhgeannáin
The Ó Duibhgeannáin clan were a family of professional historians in medieval and early modern Ireland.They originated in the kingdom of Annaly on the east bank of the Shannon and later migrated into Connacht. Writing in 1921 the Irish historian, Fr...
, Ó Cléirigh
Ó Cléirigh
Ó Cléirigh is the surname of a learned Irish family whose members appear in historical records dating to the mid-Medieval Period. In the centuries prior to the historical era, they had been rulers of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, a kingdom in what is now the south of County Galway, but were subsequently...
, Clan MacFhirbhisigh
Clan MacFhirbhisigh
Mac Fhirbhisigh was the surname of a family of Irish hereditary historians based for much of their known history at Leckan, Tireagh, Co. Sligo. They claimed descent from Dathí , said to be one of the last pagan Kings of Connacht, and were thus one of the many families who sprang from the Uí...
, Ó Maolconaire
Ó Maolconaire
Ó Maolconaire was the surname of a family of professional poets and historians in Medieval Ireland. It is now rendered Mulconry, Conroy, Conaire.-Overview:...
.