Korea, Directories - FamilySearch Historical Records

North Korea South Korea

What is in This Collection?
This is a collection of directories from Korea for the dates 100-2015. The collection will be published as images become available.

What Can these Records Tell Me?
Directories may contain the following information:
 * Family Names (성)
 * Korean Titles (제명)
 * Province Name(도)
 * County Name(군)
 * City, Town or Village Name (시,동 or 면)

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * Your ancestor’s name.
 * Place of Residence.

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 "Town or Village (동 or 면)" ⇒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: Reading Hangul: (Korean letters) Reading Hanja: (Chinese characters)
 * South Korean Language and Languages
 * Korean Genealogy Guide online
 * Korean names
 * | HanGul Letters
 * |  HanGul Syllables
 * FamilySearch Video Tutorials (for Korean speakers
 * Background on HanJa Characters
 * Translating Hanja and Hangul

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

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

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * 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.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives.
 * If your ancestor used multiple names throughout life, look for all the 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 Korea.
 * North Korea Record Finder
 * South Korea Record Finder

Related FamilySearch Historical Records Collections

 * Korea Civil Service Examinations and Records of Officials and Employees - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * Korea Collection of Genealogies - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * Korea, Census Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * Korea, Encyclopedias and Dictionaries - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * Korea, Legal Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * Korea, Local History - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * Korea, Military Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * Korea, Obituaries and Cemetery Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * Korea, Public Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * Korea, School Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * Korea, Social Life and Customs - FamilySearch Historical Records

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.