Japan Genealogies - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Records
日本、藩、系譜

Record Description
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. All records from this collection are housed at the National Archives of Japan in Tokyo.

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

Record Content
Clan Genealogies may include the following information:


 * 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 to Use the Record
To begin your search, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:


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

Search the Collection
To search by image: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "Family Name" ⇒Select the appropriate "Country" ⇒Select the appropriate "Prefecture" ⇒Select the appropriate "County or City, Town or Village" ⇒Select the appropriate "Title, Vol./Page, and Year" which will take you to the images.

Search the collection by 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.

When searching: As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

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


 * The Genealogy of the Japanese Language
 * Glossary of Japanese Genealogical Terms

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * 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.
 * Look at the Related FamilySearch Historical Records section for more Japanese records to search.

Related Websites

 * Japan Genweb
 * Japan Websites
 * Japanese Genealogy Research Questions Answered
 * Map of Japan 1812

Related Wiki Articles

 * Japan Genealogy
 * Japan Research Methods
 * Japan For Further Reading
 * Japan Emigration and Immigration
 * Japan

Related FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Japan, Iwate Land Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Japan, Passenger Lists (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Japan, Village Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Japan Vital Records Index (FamilySearch Historical Records)

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: