I wrote this post in honour of Chinese New Year and the changing of the years from Tiger to Rabbit. In 2023, I feel we could all use some good fortune. And it doesn't matter if you believe or don't believe in astrology. What matters is if your ancestors believed. Chinese culture has long associations with ideas around luck and prophecy, governing every aspect of life from birth to death. I like to check the signs of the people I'm researching, to get a sense of what they might have thought. The next topic I'd like to tackle is the belief system that added a year to a newborn's age. What was that all about? Until next time!
Tag: Chinese genealogy
Reflections: My life as a Chinese Canadian genealogist
There has never been a better time to get into Chinese genealogy. More and better records are being digitized, found, and released as privacy laws and resources permit. I'm excited to see what the future holds and I can't wait to teach more people how to find their own families. The fact that I, a non-Chinese speaker, can do what I do is testament to titanic changes in genealogy. As well, the story of Chinese settlement in Canada has all the hallmarks of a great novel: enormous sacrifices against overwhelming odds, generations of time, and oceans of distance. All it needs now is us to find and interpret the hidden stories and tell them to our kids.
A trip to the United Church of Canada Archives, Vancouver
After census records and vital statistics (birth, marriage, and death records), church records are some of the most important fonds in a genealogist's toolkit. For the Chinese, however, it was a circuitous path to worship and so it appears relatively few Catholic or Protestant records exist. I am working on understanding better how the Methodist Church ministered to the Chinese populations in Canada. My research shows they established missions for non-white congregants and it was the Vancouver and Victoria mission fonds I wanted to explore.
Past-Presence roundup: what’s new?
It's an exciting time to be a Chinese genealogist. In this post I'll share five quick stories about what's new in the run up to Chinese New Year on Tuesday. New edition of Getting Started in Chinese Genealogy New and improved: Tools for PC loversWhat are jiapus and how to find them onlineExpanded section for… Continue reading Past-Presence roundup: what’s new?
My new book: Getting started in Chinese genealogy
It's been two weeks since I released my new e-book Getting started in Chinese genealogy: a family historian's step by step guide (even if you don't speak or read Chinese). In this post I'd like to share some feedback, an awesome video, and give you the chance to win a free copy of your own.… Continue reading My new book: Getting started in Chinese genealogy
How do you say Happy New Year in Chinese? – Linda tries out a few phrases in Mandarin and Cantonese
Linda tries a few phrases in Chinese, and announces the release of her new book, "Getting started in Chinese genealogy"
Book review: In search of your Asian roots by Sheau-yueh J. Chao
In this post, I review the book "In search of your Asian Roots" by SJ Chao and ask: what genealogy problems can this book help solve?
Ah Yih, Ah Tat, Ah Tom – what is the Chinese name “Ah”?
In this post I explore the Chinese name "Ah" and discuss the implications for genealogy.
Legacy Tree Webinar: Finding Genealogical Data in the Chinese Exclusion Act Case Files (free)
Don't miss the free webinar by Trish Hackett Nicola on Chinese Exclusion Act Case files. Register by Monday, Sep 14.
Chinese Immigration Act Case Files: Finding aids at LAC
In this blog, I explore the finding aids for Chinese Immigration Act Case files at Library and Archives Canada