The Clan Associations or Kongsis of Penang, Malaysia

Along with Melaka, Penang has been designated as a World Heritage Site, one that is rich in history. In the early days, the Island of Penang was on the trade routes; therefore it was a place where many persons emigrated, especially those coming from China. Arising out of the needs of those coming from mainland China, clan associations were established, dating from the early 1800s. Today, there are 170 clan associations in Penang. Some were founded as a haven for people of a specific surname; others are regional and may be for those seeking help based upon a city or region in China; still others may be for just one family of a given surname or peoples of a certain dialect. Many of the kongsis have genealogical information; some have more than others. The clan association or kongsi for your surname should be a “must visit” for anyone searching for his ancestors in Penang.

Some Detail on Three Clan Associations in Penang
Khoo Kongsi—For example, the Khoo Kongsi, which dates from 1851, has clan registration records for nearly 7,000 persons, and each form may have three generations listed, along with attached vital records, such as birth and marriage records. They also have 3 books and 4 large files of burial records from 1923, nearly 1,000 ancestral tablets, 26 precious books of genealogies for the period 1835 to 1868, and four books of obituaries for their past trustees and their wives. Before applying to the office at the Khoo Kongsi, one must get a pass from the visitor’s center, and then walk back to the office. The Khoo Kongsi requires a name to make a search for a clan registration record for your ancestor and a name and date of death for a burial record. The Khoo Kongsi does not charge for this service, and they are very helpful for anyone searching after their roots.

The address for the Khoo Kongsi is 18 Cannon Square, 10200, Penang, Malaysia. The full name of this association is Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, and June is the person there who maintains the records in a computer database. She will look up your ancestor and, if found, copy the clan registration form for you. The telephone number for this Kongsi is 04-2614609 and their e-mail is khookongsi@gmail.com.

Ong Kongsi—The Khoo Kongsi is one of the largest and most prestigious kongsis in Penang, but there are other Kongsis which have proven very helpful and have special collections. One such clan association is the Ong Kongsi, full name Ong Si Thye Guan Tong Kongsi, which is located at 436 Penang Road and dates from 1891. This kongsi has valuable registration books and about 2,000 clan registration records; but their gem is the seven books of original certificates of marriages that were performed at the Ong Kongsi from 1925 to 1981. Most Chinese marriages were not registered as it was costly to do so, so ordinarily, Chinese marriage records are hard to come by in Penang. This kongsi also has a complete list of over 1,000 ancestral tablets in their temple, and member directories and donor lists, as well as applications for loans made to members or their children seekimg scholarships. The e-mail for this association is ongkongsi@gmail.com, and their phone number is 2267413.

Teochew Clan Association—Located at 127 Chulia Street, in Georgetown, Penang, this kongsi is based upon a dialect of Chinese persons coming from a specific region in Chaozhou perfecture on the eastern part of Guangdong province in southern China. Although the association was founded in 1855, their 2,316 registration records date from 1919. Their records are important because they list the district in Teochew where the registrant came from. Their ancestral tablets are also important, because the base of the tablet comes off to reveal a compartment where further genealogical data may be found. In addition, a person whom I was helping found two biographies with photos of her ancestors printed up in their anniversary book.

When searching in Penang, a good place to start your research is at the many kongsis. Family members may know whether those in the broader family registered at one of the kongsis or not. If you are fortunate, you may find a clansman registration form or a burial record at one of the kongsis which will impel you on to other valuable genealogical records. To search for a particular kongsis in Penang, Goggle it, with an entry such as “Tan Kongsi Penang.” You may also consult a valuable book entitled, Chinese Clans in Penang: A Concise History, a publication of the Penang Chinese Clan Council. It gives detail and photographs on 100 Chinese clans in Penang and costs 100 Ringgits. Volume 2, which will cover the other 70 clans, is a work in progress.

Submitted October 28, 2013