Keeping Track of Family: Korean Lineage Records Then and Now | Hildi Kang

The Korean chokpo, or geneology books, have been used to preserve family lineages in Korea since the Koryo dynasty of the 10th century. Korean social, political, and business life is organized around the family clan, and keeping track of family generations has been a central element of Korean culture and life since that time. Understanding and explaining the role of family and family lineage in Korean life provides a window on Korean history, politics, and helps explain contemporary Korea as well.

Hildi Kang is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley with a life-long interest in Korean history. Her publications include “Under the Black Umbrella, Voices from Korea 1910-1945” (2001) and “Family Lineage Records as a Resource for Korean History” (2007). Her historical fiction book, “Chengli and the Silk Road Caravan” (2011) won a national American Library Award for 2013. Kang's lineage record book is the only book in English to have the background and explanation of the chokpo.

Ms Kang is a member of the National Coalition of Independent Scholars and the Association for Asian Studies and has presented her work at several of the association’s conventions; she also enjoys serving as guest lecturer in various Korean studies classes. An active traveler, Ms Kang goes often to Korea, has hiked in Switzerland, biked across southern France, and explored the ancient trade routes of China and Uzbekistan. She lives with her husband in Livermore, California (www.hildikang.com).

This video was supported by the Core University Program for Korean Studies through the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and Korean Studies Promotion Service of the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS-2014-OLU-2250003).