Korea, Census Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

[Korea, Census Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]

Title in the Language of the Record
한국 인구조사

Record Description
This collection contains Korean census records from the years 918-1945. The collection will be published as images become available.

These records include Hojeok (household registration) and Hojeok Deungbon (family census register) records. Hojeok records are particularly valuable because they include female names, and many Jokbo (Korean genealogy records) typically do not. These records are known to exist from the 1600s until the Japanese Occupation in 1910. The civil registration system of keeping Hojeok Deungbon records was adopted from that point forward. For more information, see the wiki articles South Korea Census or North Korea Census.

The records are written in the Korean language using Chinese characters (hanja). For translation help, see the section For Help Reading these Records.

Some records may be difficult to read due to water damage or faded ink.

Record Content
Census records may contain the following information:
 * Head of household
 * Head of household’s four direct ancestors
 * Head of household’s position/title
 * Place of residence
 * Clan origin
 * Names of spouse and children
 * Above individuals’ ages or birth dates
 * Names of slaves

Image Visibility
Whenever possible, FamilySearch makes images available for all users. However, ultimate rights to view images on our website are granted by the record custodians, the Seoul National University Library. The collection is available to the Family History Library, FamilySearch Centers, and to members of the supporting organization,. The Seoul National University Library rules prohibit making Korean genealogies and Yi Dynasty documents from the Kjujanggak collection publicly available for viewing,

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * Your ancestor’s name.
 * The city or village in which they may have been living

Search the Collection
To browse the collection by image: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "Family Name (성)" ⇒Select the appropriate "Country (국가)" ⇒Select the appropriate "Province (도)" ⇒Select the appropriate "City or County (시,군)" ⇒Select the appropriate "동 or 면 (Town or Village)" ⇒Select the appropriate "Title (제명), Year(년) 1982 and Volume( 권) and/or Page(페이지)" which takes you to the images Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

For Help Reading These Records
These records are in Korean, written using Chinese hanja characters. For help reading the records, see the following resources:

General Information:
 * South Korean Language and Languages
 * Korean Genealogy Guide online
 * Korean names

Reading Hangul: (Korean letters)
 * HanGul Letters
 * HanGul Syllables

Reading Hanja: (Chinese characters)
 * FamilySearch Video Tutorials (for Korean speakers
 * Background on HanJa Characters
 * Translating Hanja and Hangul

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * These records should be read first top to bottom, then right to left.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor.
 * Identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been living in the same household.
 * Your ancestor may have used multiple names throughout their life; search for each name.
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community.

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection citation:

Image citation: