How to Search For Your Family in Asian Archives

Digitization has made it easier to search for your family in Asian archives with online databases, like MyHeritage. Discovering the branches of your family tree through Asian archives can help you feel more connected to your heritage. 

Exploring Asian archives is not without its challenges. Oral history is just as important as archival documents when starting your search, helping you to understand local naming customs and potential ancestral regions. 

Most people searching for their family in Asian archives will use a DNA test to reveal ancestral origins they might not be aware of. At MyHeritage, our DNA results are integrated with our historical record collections, making it easy to explore potential connections for a more accurate picture of your family history.

How to Start Your Asian Genealogical Research

Begin with what you know and work back one generation at a time. Before you start forming the branches of your online family tree, speak to older relatives and family friends to record your oral history. 

Depending on where you’re searching, it’s important to narrow down potential ancestral regions and different ethnic backgrounds that might appear in your family tree. 

Researching your last name can be a great place to start, but don’t forget to consider Asia’s different surname traditions, such as patronymic naming systems. You’ll also want to check the calendar systems used, as many regions in Asia use the Gregorian calendar instead of the lunar calendar. 

What Records Are Available from Asian Archives?

There is a range of Asian historical records you can consult during your search, including census and vital records, clan records, and religious registries. MyHeritage provides access to a variety of sources, from the Philippines birth records (1642-1994) to India marriage records (1792-1948). 

Narrowing down your relevant ancestral regions can make it easier to find the right archives for you to explore. Clan records and genealogical books can help uncover the mysteries in your family tree. However, these typically focus on the family records of the eldest son. 

In Korea, the ‘jokbo’ (족보), a family genealogy book that traces the lineage of the eldest son, was passed down through the generations, although it is no longer as relevant as it once was. Similar family registries exist in Japan, known as a ‘koseki’ (戸籍), and China, where it’s known as a ‘jiapu’. These are rarely digitized, but online family tree platforms and DNA testing are useful alternatives to historical records for learning about your ancestors.

Other records you can explore in Asian archives include:

• Census and vital records: The first formal census in Asia was conducted in India in 1872, but other vital records may record births, marriages, and deaths.
• Migration records: Repatriation and refugee files may provide information for ancestors in post-war and conflict countries, along with emigration papers and passenger lists for other Asian countries.
• Religious records: Records held by local parishes, temples, and mosques can fill the gaps in your family history and provide crucial context clues.
• Land and military records: Land deeds, tenancy documents, civil service, and military records.

Where to Find Asian Genealogy Archives

MyHeritage gives you access to genealogical archives from across Asia, including Armenia, Georgia, India, Russia, and Thailand. You can also explore the national archives of individual countries, with many of them offering remote access and the ability to request documents that have already been digitized. 

Countries like Taiwan and South Korea have their own local government portals and genealogy platforms to help streamline your search. These digital tools are especially useful if you can’t visit these regions to access physical documents held by religious institutions, libraries, and local historical associations. 

If you believe your family immigrated from Asia, it’s worth exploring immigration archives for common migration routes to Africa, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Some countries have individual diaspora archives, making it easier to trace the movements of your ancestors.  

Search for Your Family in MyHeritage’s Asian Archives

Exploring your family history through Asian archives can be challenging, but it’s a rewarding way to connect with your heritage and learn more about your ancestors. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, so start small and work with what you know. Asian documents are being increasingly digitized, so it’s worth reviewing your research regularly for new documents. 

Start your search by signing up for a free trial of MyHeritage today and follow our 7 tips for finding your long-lost relatives.