From Geographical to Bloodline: Clan Genealogy Research of New Village Records in Northwest Shanxi -Taking the Village Records of Hequ County in Shanxi Province as an Example

Main Article Content

Yuan Li
School of Ethnology and Anthropology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.70267/ijassr.260302.4050

Keywords

Northwest Shanxi, new village annals, genealogy

Abstract

This study examines the newly compiled village annals of Hequ County in Northwest Shanxi Province through archival analysis and field research. The findings reveal a notable phenomenon: the incorporation of genealogical records into local chronicles. As both historical documentation and living records of family lineage, these genealogies serve dual purposes in Hequ County—functioning as residential records for specific villages or clan branches, while also documenting mixed populations of different families. Unlike traditional family histories, village annals specifically record the demographic and social conditions within defined administrative boundaries, reflecting geographical relationships. They provide a more comprehensive and systematic account of economic, political, cultural, and social developments. Through this scholarly analysis, the paper explores the distinctive features of newly compiled village annals in Northwest Shanxi, examines the integration of village chronicles with clan genealogies, and discusses their broader significance.

Abstract 42 | PDF Downloads 14

References

  • [1] Zhang, X. General Meaning of Literature and History: Volume 6-Preface to the Provincial and County Examination for the Aspiration and Aspiration Category. Shanghai: Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House; 2015.
  • [2] Wu, C. Genealogy and Local Chronicles: A Study on the Local Chronicles-Ization of Qing Dynasty Southwest Tusi Clan Genealogy Compilation-a Case Study of Liangzhai Man Yi Changsi Office, Journal of Indigenous Ethnology. 2020(5), 21-33.
  • [3] Qian, M., Dong, X. From Elite to Mass: The Path of Villagers Participation in Village Chronicles and History, Zhejiang Social Sciences. 2021(12), 135-143+160. https://doi.org/10.14167/j.zjss.2021.12.016
  • [4] Xietian Village Annals Editorial Office. Xietian Village Annals. Hangzhou: Zhejiang Peoples Publishing House; 2010.
  • [5] Wang, W., Yue, W. Pan Shan Village Annals. Zhengzhou: Zhongyuan Peasant Publishing House; 2009.
  • [6] Wang, Z., Xu, F. Dongguan Village Annals. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company; 2000.
  • [7] Cai, J. To Revise the Village Annals and to Continue the Genealogy-a Research Topic Worthy of the Local Chronicles Scholars, China Local Chronicles. 1994(3), 44-47+59.
  • [8] Ding, H. A Record of Common People-a Review of the Tao Family Genealogy in Qingcun Town, Fengxian District, Shanghai Local Chronicles. 2016(1), 88-90+96.
  • [9] Dai, J. The Innovation of Bai Sha Village Annals in the Description of Surnames, Family and Population-on the Integration of Village Annals and Genealogy, China Local Chronicles. 2015(5), 31-32.
  • [10] Yi, J., Ren, G. On the Modern Transformation from Family Genealogy to Community and Administrative Village Chronicles, China Local Chronicles. 2018(1), 23-29+124-125.
  • [11] Jin, F., Zhang, Z. Hequ County Annals, Qing Tongzhi 11th Year (1872), Volume 1: Territory. Beijing: China National Digital Library; 1872.
  • [12] Hequ County Peoples Government. Exploring Hequ. Available from: http://www.hequ.gov.cn/ (accessed 21 February 2026).
  • [13] Hequ County Peoples Government. Township Profile. Available from: http://www.hequ.gov.cn/ (accessed 21 February 2026).
  • [14] Cao, J., Zhang, L. Social and Cultural Characteristics of Traditional Village: Human Relations and Social Network, Exploration and Controversy. 1992(2), 51-59.
  • [15] Fanjialiang Village Annals Compilation Committee. Fanjialiang Village Annals. Xinzhou: Fanjialiang Village Annals Compilation Committee; 2021.
  • [16] Shangtanshui Village Annals Compilation Group. Shangtanshui Village Annals. Xinzhou: Shangtanshui Village Annals Compilation Group; 2022.
  • [17] Yingdimao Village Chronicles Compilation Committee. Yingdimao Village Chronicles. Xinzhou: Yingdimao Village Chronicles Compilation Committee; 2017.
  • [18] Shan Zhai Village Annals and Genealogy Editorial Committee. Shan Zhai Village Annals. Xinzhou: Shan Zhai Village Annals and Genealogy Editorial Committee; 2021.
  • [19] Chen, L. Reconstructing Village Collective Memory: A Case Study of Zaitan Village, Anhui Province, Journal of Anhui Administrative College. 2012(3), 68-73. https://doi.org/10.13454/j.issn.1674-8638.2012.03.010
  • [20] Halbwachs, M. Collected Works on Memory. Shanghai: Shanghai Peoples Publishing House; 2002.
  • [21] Wang, Z. The Importance and Writing Methods of Establishing a Family Chapter in Village Annals, China Local Chronicles. 2016(10), 39-40+63.
  • [22] Lin, Q. To Save the Memory of Villages, Danyang Has Compiled Local Chronicles for 3232 Natural Villages. Modern Express, 22 July 2014 (A6).

Article Sidebar

PDF
Published
Mar 13, 2026
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026)
Section
Research Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Li, Y. (2026). From Geographical to Bloodline: Clan Genealogy Research of New Village Records in Northwest Shanxi -Taking the Village Records of Hequ County in Shanxi Province as an Example. International Journal of Asian Social Science Research , 3(2), 40-50. https://doi.org/10.70267/ijassr.260302.4050