Japan Genealogies - FamilySearch Historical Records

Japan

What is in This Collection?
This collection will include records from 850 to 2012. These records are in Japanese. See the For Help Reading These Records section of this article for translation tools.

This is a collection of Japanese clan genealogies from Japan. The records are arranged by family. Dates and localities will vary for each record depending on the family. Records of this collection are from Ehime Prefectural Library and Iwate Prefectural Library. Some records are Japanese clan genealogies from Okinawa prefecture.

Some families have genealogies detailing pedigrees back to medieval times, listing descent from notable individuals.

Reading These Records
These records are in Japanese. For help with reading the records, see the following resources:


 * Glossary of Japanese Genealogical Terms

What Can these Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Clan Genealogies
 * Family name
 * Name of spouse
 * Name of children
 * Children's birth dates
 * Occupation
 * Date and place of birth
 * Date and place of death
 * Names of parents

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:


 * Ancestors name
 * Approximate year and place of birth
 * Prefecture

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select Family Name (姓)
 * 2) Select Country (国)
 * 3) Select Prefecture (都道府県)
 * 4) Select County or City (郡又は市)
 * 5) Select Town and Village (町又は村)
 * 6) Select Title (題名), Volume (巻) or Page (頁), and Year (年) to view the images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the information to search other records
 * Collect entries for every person who has the same family name, unless the name is a common name. This list can help you identify possible relatives that can be verified by records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date
 * Look at all entries for a name before deciding which is correct
 * Check for variant spellings of any names
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Japan.
 * Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.