This book offers the first comprehensive and systematic introduction to the origins and development of Chinas genealogy, as well as its fundamental role in eugenics, ethics, politics and culture throughout Chinas history.
This book is divided into two parts: chronological research and thematic research. The first part explains the definition, origin, birth, development, transformation, optimization, popularization and contemporary status of Chinas genealogy, while the second addresses its styles, content, quantity, family names, format and value, illustrations, functions and other related issues.
The book, for the first time in Chinas genealogy, proposes several new concepts and perspectives, such as dividing the history of Chinas genealogy into seven stages; redefining genealogy; and analyses of the transformation, popularization and value of Chinas genealogy. Given its scope, the book offers a groundbreaking and authoritative resource for a broad readership.
Preface.- Chronological Research.- I. The Origin of Chinas Genealogy.-
II. The Birth of Chinas Genealogy.- III. The Development of Chinas
Genealogy (Part 1).- IV. The Development of Chinas Genealogy (Part 2).- V.
The Transformation of Chinas Genealogy.- VI. The Optimization of Chinas
Genealogy.- VII. The Popularization of Chinas Genealogy.- VIII. The
Contemporary Compilation of Chinas Genealogy.- Thematic Research.- I. The
Style and Contents of Chinas Genealogy (Part 1).- II. The Style and Contents
of Chinas Genealogy (Part 2).- III. The Quantity of Chinas Genealogy.- IV.
Family Names Recorded by Chinas Genealogies.- V. The Basic Format and Core
Value of Chinas Genealogy, Taking Genealogies of Huizhou Region for
Example.- VI. Illustrations in Chinas Genealogy.- VII. The Functional
Transformation of Chinas Genealogy.- Index.- Appendix.
Heming Wang is Director of the Institute of Historical Documents at Shanghai Library and an award-winning Chinese genealogist. He is the author of more than 10 books, including The General Theory of Chinas Genealogy, A History of Chinas Genealogy, and Revealing Chinas Genealogical Culture.