Korean genealogy research has one of the most advanced research systems and organizational method in the world. The first Korean genealogical record was the 12th century Goryeo Royal Family bloodline documentation. While organization is a main factor in the advanced nature of Korean genealogy, the high standards are essential as well[1]. There are several conditions that need to be met when researching. Firstly, a committee needs to be formed. The committee has to have a member of each lineage part of that specific clan. Annual genealogy summer programs. An example is Paik Inje Memorial Library program at Inje University in Gimahae, Korea. This, most notably is where the famous Kim family comes from.
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Korean history
Throughout history, individuals have moved both across national borders and within their own respective countries. Korea was split up into two different countries in 1956; North Korea and South Korea. The majority of Korea's population rests in South Korea with a little over fifty one million citizens as of 2023[2]. As of 2023 there were around seven million people who emigrated from South Korea.
Korean family tree structure
Jokbo structure
A jokbo is essentially a record of family members in the form of family trees. This is basically a very accurate lineage of Korean family members which was first recorded in the late 15th century. There are three type of jokbo:
- Gyebo - This is a record of every member of the jokbo who shares a certain family name.
- Pabo - This is essentially a record of the different members of a specific faction.
- Gyeboseo - This lists all the family names in Korea.
The more common and prestigious the name ( i.e. aristocratic names) the greater the chance of inaccuracy. If it's a rare family name then there is a high likelihood that the lineage breakdown will be accurate[3]. Jokbo were continually published following the original publication in the the late 15th century; specifically during the Japanese colonial period there was a strong re-publication. Unlike in Japanese genealogy Korean women don't take their husband's surname after they are married. An important way in which Koreans are able to trace their lineage is through what's known as the jokbo.
Jokbo history
It's estimated that of all the jokbo published between the late 15th and early 19th century, around eighty percent were published from the late 17th century onward [4]. A key reason for the strong re-publication of jokbo was due to the fact that many in the lower classes attempted to solidify their place as part of the upper classes. Example of this include but are not limited to:
- Falsifying birth certificates or the respective jokbo in order to be included in the jokbo of the upper class.
- Falsifying ones jokbo in order to avoid military service. The reason this happened was that during the Joseon Dynasty those without a jokbo had mandatory conscription.
It's very important to consider the strong influence that several historical events and practice changes had on Korean genealogy. These include but are not limited to:
- The level of influence Confucianism had versus what it now has on Korean genealogy records.
- Using the Hanja versus the Hangul; while the former has spaces between the surname and the the given name, the latter does not. The Hanja was almost entirely discontinued in the early 20th century[5], this changed how genealogies were recorded and passed down.
- Many Korean names were changed when entering, or during the course of, American/ Canadian educational institutions.
- The acceptance of the usage of surnames. While once surnames were only for royalty and those in the noble classes, later on they were used by the lower classes as well.
- Many Korean names were changed during the process of immigration.
Influence of confucianism
Korean genealogy pre-confucianism
Of all the countries in the world, Korea is the most Confucianist country in the world. One of the primary elements of Confucianism is emphasizing family values. These values changed over time. For example genealogical research that was done, in the late 12th century, during the Goryeo Royal family time period was very different than research done in the 17th century.
Korean genealogy post-confucianism
At the turn of the 17th century Confucianism became firmly embedded in Korean genealogy. An example of this can be seen in the listing of family members. Prior to the strongly influence of Confucius on Korean genealogy the gender of a family member did not matter, the lineage recording depended on the birth order. However, afterwards, all the sons were listed before daughters were listed[6].
Korean-american christian influence
In the early years of Korean immigration to the United States there was a notable Christian influence. One crucial figure who made this mark was Horace Allen. Prior to him there were only a small amount of Korean's that came to the United States. He was a missionary, physician and U.S. diplomat. Since the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882banned Chinese laborers Korean laborers were brought in to take their place. He brought in many Koreans from the Methodist church in Incheon, Korea.
While the laborers he brought in were already associated with a church the presence of Christian Koreans in the United States until that point was almost non- existent.
American influence on korean names
The immigration of Korean's to the United States and their respective cultural adaptation, or lack there-of was a choice that need to be made. An important area where this played out is the form of name choices; whether its those given at birth, names used in school, or those used in ones work place. Examples where Korean- Americans or Korean-Canadians may have changed their name to adapt is during immigration or ones studies.
Korean war and genealogy
The Korean War (1950-1953) is an important historical event to keep in mind with regard to Korean genealogy. Before the Korean War families were together. However, after the Korean war there was a critical split in the country. This not only divided the country physically but also split up families, many of which never re-united until today.
Korean naming conventions
While many Korean names may sound the same, often the individual behind the surname has unique background based on the syllables given; syllables which convey demographic background. The demographic background can include ones region, clan and/or other unique elements. The Korean writing system is based off of Chinese characters and is similar to how the Chinese would distinguish clan names[7].
Finally, while the overwhelming majority of surnames are usually one syllable, while given names are two syllables[8]. The first syllable is a generational syllable. The second syllable is the unique identifying syllable of the child[9]. There are several ways in which a child syllable can be chosen. These include:
- The syllable being chosen by the grandfather or the eldest member of the family.
- The syllable being chosen through a naming center that studied the child's horoscope.
Korean-american christian influence
In the early years of Korean immigration to the United States there was a notable Christian influence. One crucial figure who made this mark was Horace Allen. Prior to him there were only a small amount of Korean's that came to the United States. He was a missionary, physician and U.S. diplomat. Since the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882banned Chinese laborers Korean laborers were brought in to take their place. He brought in many Koreans from the Methodist church in Incheon, Korea. While the laborers he brought in were already associated with a church the presence of Christian Koreans in the United States until that point was almost non- existent.
American influence on korean names
The immigration of Korean's to the United States and their respective cultural adaptation, or lack there-of was a choice that need to be made. An important area where this played out is the form of name choices; whether its those given at birth, names used in school, or those used in ones work place. Examples where Korean- Americans or Korean-Canadians may have changed their name to adapt is during immigration or ones studies.
See also
Explore more about Korean genealogy
- How to Research Your Ethnicity with Genealogy on the MyHeritage Genealogy Hub
- Crossing the 38th Parallel - Researching Your Korean War Ancestors webinar at Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
- Using MyHeritage DNA to Determine Immigrant Origins webinar webinar at Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
- South Korea - Genealogy, Vital Records record collection at MyHeritage.
- Japanese and Korean ethnicity distribution on the MyHeritage Knowledge Base.
- South Korea Ethnicity breakdown on the MyHeritage Knowledge Base.
- Notable Koreans in project dashboard on Geni.
- Confucius: Ancient family tree on the MyHeritage Blog.
- Koreas genealogy gaining global attention on Korea Times.
- Joseon Dynasty
- Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
References
- ↑ https://library.ifla.org/id/eprint/219/1/220-pak-en.pdf
- ↑ https://www.focus-economics.com/country-indicator/korea/population/
- ↑ https://accesson.kr/rks/assets/pdf/7619/journal-10-4-0.pdf
- ↑ https://accesson.kr/rks/assets/pdf/7619/journal-10-4-0.pdf
- ↑ https://digitalprojects.binghamton.edu/s/DKF20/page/project02#:~:text=1972,writing%20language%20of%20South%20Korea.
- ↑ https://library.ifla.org/id/eprint/219/1/220-pak-en.pdf
- ↑ https://dbpedia.org/page/Bon-gwan
- ↑ https://asiasociety.org/korea/introduction-korean-names-are-all-kims-same
- ↑ https://asiasociety.org/korea/introduction-korean-names-are-all-kims-same