Reflections on Chinese Genealogy Outreach
Oct 17, 2010 11:33:23 GMT -5
Post by Henry on Oct 17, 2010 11:33:23 GMT -5
Dear Colleagues,
One of the attendees to the recent Chinese American Family History Conference in Oakland Chinatown made the following statement to me:
" I noticed that many of the attendees were in the 50-70 age group who were native born or who had come over to the U.S. at an early age. I spoke to a few and it was obvious to me that using the links on the computer was beyond them and what they wanted was information on what they needed to start their search."
I would like to offer my comments and invite other Forum members to join in.
This group of attendees that are in 50-70 age group are unique and constitute what I call the "transitional generation" of native born Chinese and/or those that came to an overseas country at a very early age. It is this generation that can provide first hand insights on the immigrant generation of their parents and pass this information down to their own children. Much of the family heritage and lineage information about an immigrant family is captured and retained by this transitional generation. While it is very important to expose the younger generation to fine activities such as the "In Search of Roots Program" at the Chinese Cultural Center of San Francisco: I strongly encourage the inclusion of this transitional generation into this program as a major component - they have so much to offer and share before it is gone, also, they too would also like to visit their ancestral village that they heard so much about from their parents.
In this era of modern technology, computers and access to online resources across the country and globe has truly advanced Chinese genealogy research. Specifically, digitized documents and online computing along with its ability to search, to document lineages digitally, and share Chinese genealogical information with researchers everywhere are dramatic improvements to previous research that was limited to an isolated locality with poor or inadequate access and communication. I believe modern technology has enabled the revival of widespread Chinese genealogical research within China and among overseas Chinese. But, computer literacy can be very limited and just think about how many other people out there that would like to research their Chinese heritage and lineage - and who do not even know about, or have access, or be involved with online forums such as the SiYi Forum. So now, in order to perform Chinese genealogical research, this transitional generation who have to overcome and learn all this computer technology before they can even start researching. They might just give up because they are so overwhelmed.
I believe that any workshop, tutorial, course on Chinese genealogy needs first to focus on the basics - "information on what they needed to start their research" - in its most elementary form. Beyond all the razzle-dazzle and sizzle of modern technology, the instructors need to convey what information is needed, why it is important, and how to acquire and use it to start their Chinese genealogy research. The research process needs to be documented in such a way that this transitional generation can be assisted by the instructors and later by family, friends, and relatives that are computer literate.
Henry
PS - My apology, I need to make a clarification - this "transitional generation" is primarily made up of the first generation born to the immigrant generation. This includes people like me - sorry if I was not clear.
One of the attendees to the recent Chinese American Family History Conference in Oakland Chinatown made the following statement to me:
" I noticed that many of the attendees were in the 50-70 age group who were native born or who had come over to the U.S. at an early age. I spoke to a few and it was obvious to me that using the links on the computer was beyond them and what they wanted was information on what they needed to start their search."
I would like to offer my comments and invite other Forum members to join in.
This group of attendees that are in 50-70 age group are unique and constitute what I call the "transitional generation" of native born Chinese and/or those that came to an overseas country at a very early age. It is this generation that can provide first hand insights on the immigrant generation of their parents and pass this information down to their own children. Much of the family heritage and lineage information about an immigrant family is captured and retained by this transitional generation. While it is very important to expose the younger generation to fine activities such as the "In Search of Roots Program" at the Chinese Cultural Center of San Francisco: I strongly encourage the inclusion of this transitional generation into this program as a major component - they have so much to offer and share before it is gone, also, they too would also like to visit their ancestral village that they heard so much about from their parents.
In this era of modern technology, computers and access to online resources across the country and globe has truly advanced Chinese genealogy research. Specifically, digitized documents and online computing along with its ability to search, to document lineages digitally, and share Chinese genealogical information with researchers everywhere are dramatic improvements to previous research that was limited to an isolated locality with poor or inadequate access and communication. I believe modern technology has enabled the revival of widespread Chinese genealogical research within China and among overseas Chinese. But, computer literacy can be very limited and just think about how many other people out there that would like to research their Chinese heritage and lineage - and who do not even know about, or have access, or be involved with online forums such as the SiYi Forum. So now, in order to perform Chinese genealogical research, this transitional generation who have to overcome and learn all this computer technology before they can even start researching. They might just give up because they are so overwhelmed.
I believe that any workshop, tutorial, course on Chinese genealogy needs first to focus on the basics - "information on what they needed to start their research" - in its most elementary form. Beyond all the razzle-dazzle and sizzle of modern technology, the instructors need to convey what information is needed, why it is important, and how to acquire and use it to start their Chinese genealogy research. The research process needs to be documented in such a way that this transitional generation can be assisted by the instructors and later by family, friends, and relatives that are computer literate.
Henry
PS - My apology, I need to make a clarification - this "transitional generation" is primarily made up of the first generation born to the immigrant generation. This includes people like me - sorry if I was not clear.
