Family tree, also known as genealogy, genealogy, etc. It is a book that records a family's lineage and the deeds of important figures in the form of a genealogy. "The husband's family has a genealogy, the state has aspirations, and the country has history, all of which have the same meaning." In China, genealogy has a history of about 3,000 years, and has always been called the three major historical documents along with national history and local chronicles.

An old saying goes: It is unfilial to not revise the genealogy for three generations.

What does the family tree contain?

The origin of surnames

Chinese surnames have continued to evolve through history, such as: wars, migrations, changes in dynasties, as well as surname changes to avoid taboos and surnames to seek refuge. , compound surnames were changed to single surnames, etc., the surnames became more complicated, and their true origins and origins need to be verified in detail. There are detailed records in the "Family Tree". From one surname to one country and one family, each set of "Family Tree" introduces the origin of one's surname in detail.

Genealogy Table

"Genealogy Table", in short, explains a The relationship between family members, such as father, son, and brother, and a chart with the names of each family member clearly written on the ancestors and descendants. It has four basic narrative formats: European style, Soviet style, pagoda style and ultimatum style.

Family Instructions

The family tree records many famous aphorisms about managing a family and educating children, which have become a good strategy for managing a family that people admire and a model for "cultivation" and "keeping the family together". For example, the idea of ??frugal housekeeping that "every porridge and meal should be remembered as hard-earned" still seems to have positive significance today. There are many detailed records of family mottos and rules in family genealogies for future generations to follow. Among them, the most praised famous mottos, such as the Yan family motto and Zhu Xi's family motto, are still popular today.

Family biographies

Family biographies are generally divided into: serial biographies, internal biographies and external biographies. The internal biographies are the biographies of the distinguished men in the family; the internal biographies are the biographies of the virtuous women in the family; the external biographies are the biographies of the married virtuous women in the family.

Artistic and literary writings

“A genealogy is the history of a family,” and of course the artistic and literary writings of family members are indispensable. The artistic and literary writings in genealogy are generally called in terms of style: artistic and literary records, etymology collections, literary collections, etc.

The main content of the artistic writings is poetry and prose written by famous people in the family. It also collects letters and correspondence between the family members and outsiders, as well as classics, policy tables, inscriptions, letters, etc., and some also include prints. , portraits, edition works, famous calligraphy, songs, etc., are very rich in form and content.

Family tree images

Family trees are mainly text content, supplemented by picture materials, but a good picture or photo can still convey the spirit and characteristics of the times. The significance of incorporating pictures and photos into the family tree is to provide the most direct environmental background for family inheritance, so that the family tree is no longer limited to written records, but the overall concept becomes clear and vivid.