Traditional and standardized genealogy (genealogy printing) content and structure.
Ancient family trees varied in purpose and content due to different eras. Generally, as time progressed, the content became more extensive and detailed. The format of family trees also changed over time. The Shang Dynasty's oracle bone family trees simply recorded lineages, with each person listed in a single line to show relationships, making it relatively simple. Han Dynasty family trees had three main formats: a horizontal grid system, where generations were separated by grids and arranged chronologically, with the tables in "The Records of the Grand Historian" serving as examples; a format centered around names, which first described the origin of the surname followed by the lineage and official positions; and a continuous writing format, exemplified by the two steles "Sun Xu Fang Stele" and "Zhao Kuang Stele" from the Han Dynasty. The Wei, Jin, Southern, and Northern Dynasties saw either separated or continuous lines, with each generation from the previous one separated by a space. This can be observed in the existing Stele of Xue Xiaotong of the Northern Wei, the Stele of the Concubine Li Yuanhua of the Prince Yuan He of Pengcheng, and the Stele of Liu Xi, Marquis of Linli of the Liu Song Dynasty. The difference was that the latter two steles not only recorded the family lineage but also provided detailed records of relatives, which was unimaginable in later generations but common in the Southern and Northern Dynasties. Tang Dynasty family trees were mostly compiled together, usually arranged by surname and written continuously. After the Song Dynasty, the practice of dividing generations and grids resumed. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, most family trees followed this method, with the first section listing a comprehensive lineage table for reference, followed by each person's information on half a page, arranged by generation.
Family genealogy compilation reached a basic structure during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The format of family genealogies during the Ming and Qing dynasties was generally arranged as follows:
(One) Sequence (omitted)
(II) Inscription (to be omitted)
(3) Enron (omitted)
(IV) General Provisions (omitted)
(Five) Image: (Not available)
(Six) Jiexiao (omitted)
(7) LikeZan (Details omitted)
(8) Kao: (Omitted)
(9) Lineage: Also known as a genealogy, family tree, or root chart, it is a graphical representation of the blood relationships among family members. This is the main content of a family tree, typically organized in tables of five generations each.
(10) Genealogy Record: Some family trees are also known as "Generational Order," "Genealogical Study," "Biography," "Deeds," or "Genealogical Record." It serves as an explanation of the genealogical table, recording a person's resume of life, old age, illness, death, and burial. It includes the father's name, rank, name, alias, title, birth and death dates and times, lifespan, official position, achievements, virtues, burial site, orientation, the birth and death dates and times of consorts, encomiums, in-laws, children, the person to whom a daughter is married, and whether there are wealthy grandsons, with a particular emphasis on life and bloodline.
(11) Paiyu: The ancestral ranking language records the names given to descendants in a family. Ancient family rankings typically hold significant meanings, often determined by emperors, celebrities, or ancestors. Descendants are named with a single character per generation to establish their order. For instance, the naming characters for Confucius' descendants are: Xi, Bo, Gong, Yan, Cheng, Hong, Wen, Zhen, Shang, Yan, Yian, Chuan, Ji, Guang, Zhao, Xian, Xian, Qing, Fan, Xiang, Ling, De, Wei, Chui, You, Qin, Shao, Nian, Xian, and Yang—these were bestowed upon them by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
(12) Biography: Similar to genealogy, the difference being that genealogy includes every male member of the family, while a biography is dedicated to those with special achievements, notable contributions, and a reputation that can be passed down through generations. Biographies are further divided into two types: the "inner biography" for women with virtuous conduct, and the "outer biography" for men, which can be written by descendants or by contemporary celebrities.
(Thirteen) Family Precepts (Omitted)
(14) Ancestral Hall, Ancestral Property, and Tombs (Omitted)
(15) Ancestral Investigation: Primarily narrates the family history, including the origin of the surname, the first ancestor, branches, migration, and distribution. Particularly focusing on the migration and settlement history of this branch, as well as the history of external migration among various branches, and investigations of those with the same surname and lineage.
(Sixteen) (Content omitted)
(17) Miscellaneous (omitted)
(18) Literature (omitted)
(XIX) Genealogy Surnames (Omitted)
(20) Five-Generations Family Portrait (Image omitted)
(21) Yu Qinglu (details omitted)
(22) Lingshu Font (omitted)
Additionally, some genealogies from recent times also include statistical charts, such as population data.
The various formats mentioned above for family trees are not all present in every family tree. The level of detail and the arrangement of formats and sequence can vary. However, in general, they are mostly ordered according to the aforementioned sequence.
B. "The mid-late Ming Dynasty marked a significant turning point in the evolution and content updates of family genealogy formats. The following is an excerpt of the seven main contents of a genealogy set."
One: Genealogy of Surnames (omitted)
Two: Hall Number (Omitted)
The Genealogy Chart: If you find an ancestral family tree about your lineage, what would you like to see? Perhaps you want to know who your ancestors were, any famous figures or achievements within the family, where family members are now, and more. All these answers are found in the genealogy chart. As the most important part of the family tree, the genealogy chart, simply put, is a chart that illustrates the interrelations among family members, such as father-son, brother-brother relationships, clearly listing the names of each family member from the ancestors to the descendants. It has four basic formats: European, Suzhou, Pagoda, and Memoir.
The Euclid Style, also known as horizontal style, was established by the Northern Song Dynasty litterateur, Ouyang Xiu. The characteristics of the Euclid style include: generations are separated by columns, read from right to left in horizontal lines, with a table for every five generations, making it very convenient to use. In the Euclid style, each generation's names are accompanied by a brief biography on the left, detailing the person's characters, titles, official positions, birth date, spouse, place of residence, and achievements.
The Su style, also known as the pendant bead style, was established by the Northern Song Dynasty litterateur Su Qin. The characteristics of the Su style genealogy chart are: generations are vertically descending without horizontal lines connecting them, all connected by vertical lines, and the chart is arranged from right to left, mainly emphasizing the patriarchal relationship.
The Pagoda Style: As the name implies, it arranges the names of generations like a pagoda, from top to bottom. The pagoda style uses a horizontal and vertical line connection method, with the vertical line always positioned in the middle of the horizontal line. For large families with many members, where it's impossible to fit all names on a single page, and where the seniority among brothers is unclear, this can bring about many inconveniences in compiling and reading the family tree.
The Genealogy Record: Instead of connecting generational names with horizontal or vertical lines, it uses pure text to express this relationship. Each name is accompanied by a relevant biography, including: style names, nicknames, titles, official ranks, birthdates, places, achievements, etc. The genealogy format is fixed, with clear order, and is more paper-saving.
The four types of lineage charts each have their unique features. These are commonly found in genealogies. However, there are other variations. When compiling a family lineage chart, we can flexibly adopt methods based on the amount of material available and the number of family members. In summary, the most important aspect is that the lineage chart should be easy to read and understand, contain accurate content, and have clear layers.
Four Family Commandments (omitted)
Five Generations (omitted)
Six Artistic Writings (omitted)
Seven family tree images (to be omitted)
C. "Referencing the major special fund project of the Ministry of Science and Technology's basic scientific research work, 'Genealogy Description Metadata Standards,' and the 'Genealogy Special Metadata Standards Format (Discussion Draft)' from the Library, we utilize the extension mechanism provided by the DC metadata standards to describe the following information content in genealogies:
Genealogy names, compilers, prefaces, general introductions, tables of contents, compilation dates and titles, genealogy format descriptions, lineage records, registration numbers, hall names, genealogy types, collection history, surname origins, genealogical records, lineage charts, honors records, epitaphs, edicts, ranking characters, family rules and teachings, ancestral halls and properties, tombs, five-generation diagrams, editions, and so on.
The management objects of the Great Chinese Genealogy should primarily include the following categories: family genealogies (describing the genealogy as an integrated resource), family members (describing individual information), and genealogy research materials (related to genealogical and surname culture, including biographies or writings, which can be cited in the information of family members).
