The Korean term "Á·º¸"
(jokbo) refers to a family genealogy or pedigree chart, which is a detailed
record of a family's lineage. This term is significant in Korean culture, where
maintaining a record of one's ancestors and family history is a deeply respected
practice. Let's delve into the pronunciation, etymology, and cultural context of
"Á·º¸."
Pronunciation Á·º¸: Jok-bo
¡¡
Etymology
Á· (jok): Means "clan" or "tribe."
º¸ (bo): Means "register" or "book."
Combined, "Á·º¸" translates to a register or book of a clan or tribe, emphasizing
its function as a family record.
Usage "Á·º¸" is used to document the history of a family, including names, birth
dates, and other important events of family members over generations. It serves
not only as a tool for remembering ancestors but also plays a crucial role in
various traditional practices, including ancestral rites (Á¦»ç, jesa).
Examples and Cultural Significance
Genealogical
Research: Many Koreans use Á·º¸ to trace their lineage, understand family
relationships, and connect with distant relatives. This can be particularly
important for those undertaking family history research or participating in
family reunions.
Ancestral Rites: In Korean culture, ancestral rites called Á¦»ç (jesa) are
performed to honor ancestors. Knowing one's Á·º¸ is essential for these rites, as
it ensures that all ancestors are appropriately remembered and honored.
Social Structure:
Historically, Á·º¸ was crucial in a society where social hierarchy and family
lineage determined one's social status. It was particularly important in noble
families, but many commoner families also kept records.
Modern Relevance While the traditional significance of Á·º¸ remains, its relevance has evolved.
Today, with the advent of digital technology, many family genealogies are
maintained online, making them more accessible to younger generations and those
living abroad.
Related Terms °¡°èµµ (gaegyedo): Another term for a family tree, focusing more on the direct
lineage and less on the extensive family network that Á·º¸ might cover.
¿ª»ç (yeoksa): History, often studied in conjunction with family genealogies to
understand broader social and historical contexts.
Understanding "Á·º¸"
provides insight into the importance of family and heritage in Korean culture,
reflecting a deep-seated respect for ancestors and a commitment to preserving
family history across generations.
¡¡
***
¡¡
Jokbo2.mp3
Expanding further on
the concept of "Á·º¸" (jokbo), let's look into its detailed components, how it is
typically structured, and its broader impact on Korean society.
Structure of Á·º¸
A typical Á·º¸ contains a wealth of detailed information about family members,
which often includes:
Basic Information: Names, birth and death dates, and marriage details of each
family member.
Generational Titles: Many Á·º¸ assign a specific Chinese character to each
generation, which serves as a generational name (¼¼(á¦)ÀÚ). This helps to easily
identify which generation a person belongs to within the family.
Connections: Descriptions of familial relationships and lineage connections,
which are crucial for understanding how individuals are related.
Additional Details: Notes on significant achievements, occupations, and other
historical or socially relevant details of family members.
Preservation and Access Traditionally, Á·º¸ were handwritten in Chinese characters and carefully
preserved as family treasures. They were updated regularly by designated family
members:
Preservation: Often kept in multiple copies to prevent loss due to environmental
damage or other disasters.
Digitalization: In modern times, many Á·º¸ are being digitized. This not only
helps in preserving these important documents but also makes them accessible to
a wider audience, including family members living abroad.
Social and Cultural Impact Identity and Heritage: Á·º¸ help individuals affirm their family identity and
understand their heritage. They offer a sense of continuity and connection to
past generations.
Genealogical Research: With the increasing interest in genealogy, Á·º¸ serve as
crucial resources for those looking to uncover their familial past and
understand their ancestors' lives.
Legal and Social Functions: Historically, Á·º¸ had legal implications, often used
to prove nobility or rights to inheritance. While these functions are less
prominent today, the historical impact remains a point of interest.
Challenges and Changes Modern Family Dynamics: As family structures evolve and become more nuclear,
the traditional format of Á·º¸ is also changing. There is a growing need to adapt
these records to include non-traditional family elements such as adoptions and
marriages outside the ethnic and national norms.
Privacy Concerns: With the move towards digitalization, there are increased
concerns about privacy and data protection, especially regarding sensitive
personal information contained in Á·º¸.
Related Cultural Practices Ancestral Worship: Á·º¸ are integral to ancestral worship practices, which
remain a significant aspect of Korean culture. These practices reinforce family
bonds and respect for ancestors.
Cultural Festivals: During certain Korean festivals, such as Chuseok (Korean
Thanksgiving), families gather to perform ancestral rites, where Á·º¸ are often
referenced.
The ongoing relevance and adaptation of Á·º¸ in contemporary Korean society
highlight its enduring significance, not only as a record of lineage but also as
a cultural artifact that embodies the values of respect for family and heritage.
¡¡
¡¡
In Korea the genealogy book is called jokbo or
chokbo. Each family has a jokbo which is passed down through generations,
and copies are often printed and distributed among family members as
necessary. The firstborn son of each family (in a form of primogeniture)
inherits the original jokbo (as opposed to the copies) and continues the
genealogy and family line.
¡¡
¡¡
¡¡
Family
Records
Many Korean clans pass down genealogies and
family histories that are kept by the eldest sons. These family
registries are called JokBo (ðéÜÏ, Á·º¸). Many families have a formal family
run organization that collects and publishes genealogy updates to the
family. These organizations identify and take care of family historical
sites, including grave sites and ancestral homes. Some families are
starting to publish this information on the internet. Donating records to
public online archives to preserve Korean history is also a wonderful
growing trend. There have never been so many resources available to
genealogists, and the future is even brighter.
There is also a new movement to preserve and
publicly publish family histories as national treasures. For example, the
Inje University Genealogy Library collects and publishes Korean
genealogical records at
http://genealogy.inje.ac.kr. The
software used to view these records requires a Korean version of Microsoft
Windows (not just an English version of Windows with Korean fonts
installed), however, which can be a barrier for researchers outside of
Korea.
Family Search also makes genealogical records
available at
http://familysearch.org. Fortunately, these records are
viewable by almost any computer with a web browser. At the time this book
was written, Korean records can be located on Family Search by navigating
to ¡°Records¡±, ¡°Browse by Location,¡± ¡°Asia and Middle East¡±, ¡°Korea,
Collection of Genealogies, 1500-2009,¡± ¡°Browse through 171,982 images.¡±
The number of published records is continually growing. No doubt, this
will eventually include indexing, which enables text-based searches,
rather than just images. Although searchable indexed records would be
very helpful, the currently available images of genealogical records are
all that is needed to find ancestors using the methods presented in this
book. From there you can navigate to specific clan records by selecting
the family name, country, province, and city/county, and town that
identify the clan. You will often find many volumes of records for clans
in the collection.
Family genealogies often start with family
histories. Some records contain the valiant acts of the ancestors. Some
also contain maps and pictures of family graves and historical sites,
photos or paintings of prominent ancestors, and photos and information
about family historical treasures.