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== Beginning Japanese Family History Research == | |||
Although Japanese vital records are not available online or on microfilm, it is still possible to gain access to the records of your ancestors in Japanese records. Searching for your Japanese ancestry can be challenging, but it is possible and worth every effort. The Japanese have a saying:頑張って下さい(ganbatte kudasai) which means: “Please hang in there”, or “Don’t give up.” If you keep at it, you will find your wonderful family heritage in Japan. | Although Japanese vital records are not available online or on microfilm, it is still possible to gain access to the records of your ancestors in Japanese records. Searching for your Japanese ancestry can be challenging, but it is possible and worth every effort. The Japanese have a saying:頑張って下さい(ganbatte kudasai) which means: “Please hang in there”, or “Don’t give up.” If you keep at it, you will find your wonderful family heritage in Japan. | ||
The following handout will introduce you to two key record types: Koseki, Kakocho. It will identify where records are kept, explain how to obtain those records and provide additional Japanese research resources. | The following handout will introduce you to two key record types: Koseki, Kakocho. It will identify where records are kept, explain how to obtain those records and provide additional Japanese research resources. | ||
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=== Koseki === | |||
=== Koseki === | |||
'''The Koseki is your number one source of vital information and should be your main goal in finding your ancestors in Japan.''' | '''The Koseki is your number one source of vital information and should be your main goal in finding your ancestors in Japan.''' | ||
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*purple mimeograph sheets | *purple mimeograph sheets | ||
Here is an example of a Koseki image: | Here is an example of a Koseki image: | ||
:[[Image:Koseki.png]]<br> | :[[Image:Koseki.png]]<br> | ||
A Koseki has a series of columns and boxes, some of which may be crossed out. This happened when someone died or has moved to a different head of household’s Koseki, e.g. in cases of marriage or adoption. | A Koseki has a series of columns and boxes, some of which may be crossed out. This happened when someone died or has moved to a different head of household’s Koseki, e.g. in cases of marriage or adoption. | ||
It is important to note that all dates written on Japanese records will be written using the Japanese Imperial Calendar years. You can convert the Imperial year into the western Gregorian calendar year at the following website: [http://www.allcalendars.net/JapaneseYearConverter.php Convert Western Years to Japanese Years ] | It is important to note that all dates written on Japanese records will be written using the Japanese Imperial Calendar years. You can convert the Imperial year into the western Gregorian calendar year at the following website: [http://www.allcalendars.net/JapaneseYearConverter.php Convert Western Years to Japanese Years ] | ||
==== Obtaining a Koseki ==== | ==== Obtaining a Koseki ==== | ||
Koseki records may be in your family possession and you may not even know it! Look for these in your family records. Once you locate one Koseki - you can find others. Some families have had their genealogies written on scrolls, art work or carved onto wood trays. Look for these objects in your homes as they can be another source of information about your family history. It is a good idea to ask your extended family if they have any of these records. If it is not possible to locate a Koseki through family records, records can be obtained through the Japanese City Hall of Records. | Koseki records may be in your family possession and you may not even know it! Look for these in your family records. Once you locate one Koseki - you can find others. Some families have had their genealogies written on scrolls, art work or carved onto wood trays. Look for these objects in your homes as they can be another source of information about your family history. It is a good idea to ask your extended family if they have any of these records. If it is not possible to locate a Koseki through family records, records can be obtained through the Japanese City Hall of Records. | ||
Similar to finding records in other countries, Japanese research requires that you first locate the hometown City Hall of Record (honseki chi) for your ancestor. Japanese records have not been centralized, only the City Hall of Record can provide your ancestor’s vital records. | Similar to finding records in other countries, Japanese research requires that you first locate the hometown City Hall of Record (honseki chi) for your ancestor. Japanese records have not been centralized, only the City Hall of Record can provide your ancestor’s vital records. | ||
==== Determining the City Hall of Record ==== | ==== Determining the City Hall of Record ==== | ||
Locating your ancestor’s City Hall of Record can be challenging. You will need more specific information than saying they came from Hiroshima. Not only is there a major city by that name, but it is the name of a prefecture as well as a village and town. | Locating your ancestor’s City Hall of Record can be challenging. You will need more specific information than saying they came from Hiroshima. Not only is there a major city by that name, but it is the name of a prefecture as well as a village and town. | ||
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*WWI Draft Registration Cards, the address of their next of kin in Japan may have been listed | *WWI Draft Registration Cards, the address of their next of kin in Japan may have been listed | ||
* Passports | * Passports | ||
*Old Letters | *Old Letters | ||
*Passenger List databases (try Ancestry.com) | *Passenger List databases (try Ancestry.com) | ||
*FamilySearch is currently indexing immigration records from Japan to America and also Japan to Brazil. Check back often to see when these are available. (http://familysearch.org) | *FamilySearch is currently indexing immigration records from Japan to America and also Japan to Brazil. Check back often to see when these are available. (http://familysearch.org) | ||
*Naturalization applications records | *Naturalization applications records | ||
*Japanese Internment Records+ | *Japanese Internment Records+ | ||
*Newspaper archive databases | *Newspaper archive databases | ||
*The Family History Library Microfilm collection* | *The Family History Library Microfilm collection* | ||
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+ If during WWII your family was placed in one of the internment camps, it would be worthwhile to gain a copy of their interment records. You may be able to discover your ancestor’s hometown City Hall of Record within those records, along with other interesting information regarding your family. [http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/topics/japanese-americans/ The National Archives ARC website] is a good place to begin your search.<br> | |||
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==== Requesting a Koseki ==== | ==== Requesting a Koseki ==== | ||
<u>'''Koseki Documentation Packet Checklist'''</u> | <u>'''Koseki Documentation Packet Checklist'''</u> | ||
Creating a documentation packet to request your Japanese family’s Koseki is a necessary step to receive the records. Here is a list of what you will need to include in your packet: | Creating a documentation packet to request your Japanese family’s Koseki is a necessary step to receive the records. Here is a list of what you will need to include in your packet: | ||
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*Birth certificates of the direct line ancestor, the parent that is also a direct descendant and the direct line grandparents if they were born outside of Japan. Again, write in katakana all the necessary information and have it notarized. | *Birth certificates of the direct line ancestor, the parent that is also a direct descendant and the direct line grandparents if they were born outside of Japan. Again, write in katakana all the necessary information and have it notarized. | ||
*Include a self-addressed envelope | *Include a self-addressed envelope | ||
*US Post Office International Money Order for each request. Currently the amount needed is approximately $14.00 per request. This covers copy and postage costs. | *US Post Office International Money Order for each request. Currently the amount needed is approximately $14.00 per request. This covers copy and postage costs. | ||
*Pedigree chart filled out with all the names and information. Complete only the information for the family name you are requesting. Use a highlighter pen to draw a line from you to the line you want information about. Again write names in katakana or use the kanji if you know it. You can download a free blank pedigree chart at [http://familysearch.org FamilySearch]. | *Pedigree chart filled out with all the names and information. Complete only the information for the family name you are requesting. Use a highlighter pen to draw a line from you to the line you want information about. Again write names in katakana or use the kanji if you know it. You can download a free blank pedigree chart at [http://familysearch.org FamilySearch]. | ||
*Each city hall has their own special Koseki request form and they require you to use their form. These forms can be usually found on the city hall’s website and is usually a PDF download. Using an online translation site such as [https://translate.google.com/ Google Chrome Translate] and you can translate the page into somewhat understandable English. | *Each city hall has their own special Koseki request form and they require you to use their form. These forms can be usually found on the city hall’s website and is usually a PDF download. Using an online translation site such as [https://translate.google.com/ Google Chrome Translate] and you can translate the page into somewhat understandable English. | ||
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Responses from Japanese city halls vary; anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months can be expected. | Responses from Japanese city halls vary; anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months can be expected. | ||
Koseki records are often written in older forms of handwritten kanji and are very difficult to read. Begin looking now for someone who can translate the Koseki records once you receive them. An older, native Japanese relative or friend, or companies who specialize in Koseki translations are the best places to check. | Koseki records are often written in older forms of handwritten kanji and are very difficult to read. Begin looking now for someone who can translate the Koseki records once you receive them. An older, native Japanese relative or friend, or companies who specialize in Koseki translations are the best places to check. | ||
=== Kakocho === | === Kakocho === | ||
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Here is an example of a Kakocho. | Here is an example of a Kakocho. | ||
[[Image:Kakocho.png]] | [[Image:Kakocho.png]] | ||
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==== FamilySearch Facebook Page ==== | ==== FamilySearch Facebook Page ==== | ||
FamilySearch also hosts a [https://www.facebook.com/JapanGenealogyResearch Japanese Genealogy Research] page where you are free to ask questions, share experiences, and contact others who share your interest in Japanese Family History. All are welcomed to join. | FamilySearch also hosts a [https://www.facebook.com/JapanGenealogyResearch Japanese Genealogy Research] page where you are free to ask questions, share experiences, and contact others who share your interest in Japanese Family History. All are welcomed to join. | ||
=== Additional Research Helps === | === Additional Research Helps === | ||
*[http://advantagegenealogy.com/blog/ The Japanese Genealogy Blog] - Japanese Family History help for those born outside of Japan. | *[http://advantagegenealogy.com/blog/ The Japanese Genealogy Blog] - Japanese Family History help for those born outside of Japan. | ||
*[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jpnwgw/ JapanGenWeb] – a Japanese research portal page hosted by RootsWeb.com | *[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jpnwgw/ JapanGenWeb] – a Japanese research portal page hosted by RootsWeb.com | ||
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