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Post by venick on Jun 11, 2006 10:56:43 GMT -5
I'm from Canada, but I know in the States, there is a Department of Vital Statistics, does anyone know if there is an equivalent in China. I have my grandfather's passport and I'm hoping that when I go to China in September it will be of some help. I'm hoping for old records on my grandfather. If anyone can help please let me know.  |
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Post by helen on Jun 11, 2006 21:28:53 GMT -5
How old is the passport? I think if it were in the early 1900s, the government records would have been destroyed. Where was the passport issued?
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Post by raymond on Jun 13, 2006 7:32:03 GMT -5
venick,
Your post is a bit ambiguous. Because your grandfather had a passport, it is obvious that he had travelled overseas. From how you worded your post, it appears that what you are implying is that your grandfather's passport is a Chinese passport. If so, had your grandfather made trip(s) to/from either Canada or the US, or to some other countries? If he had, then you should first search for any information that the government may have on his entry into and out of the US or Canada. Then your follow-on search for any official information in China is likely to be a longshot at best. However, if you know his ancestral village in China, then the likelihood of procuring information about your grandfather becomes much better. The name of a village can often be found on old letters, government documents and on the gravestone. The village may have a family clan book called a "jook po" (zupu in Mandarin). Once you get your hands on that and get it translated into English, much of your genealogical search should be contained in the "jook po". Perhaps some village elders may even remember your grandfather being in the village and can share some personal stories as well. If you are planning a trip back to the village, then it would be most beneficial for you to arm yourself with as much information as possible about your grandfather, including old photos and letters, prior to embarking on your trip. Also, have someone fluent in Chinese accompany you if you do not speak or understand your local dialect. These prerequisites will ensure a much more productive trip in terms of your genealogical pursuit.
On the other hand, if your grandfather's passport is a Canadian or American passport, then you should be able to glean whatever pertinent information from government records here prior to looking for information about him in China.
Good luck,
Raymond
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