Session Details 12/3/2024, 10AM – 1:45PM, Doors open at 9:30 FamilySearch Center, 4766 Lincoln Ave,Oakland, CA, Downstairs Meeting Room
Register for BACGG – Chinese Surname Search Symposium
Chinese Surname Search Symposium: Chan Family Case Study. A Chinese surname is not just a name. It comes with thousands of years of history, dreams and desires. This four hour symposium, with multiple speakers, will teach you how to find your surname history, research your ancestors, and even help you find your village in China. Plus use Chinese Association resources right here in the Bay Area may potentially break through genealogical barriers. There is also a premier of a short movie on the history of the Chan family, and tutorial on how it was produced so you may create the same. No matter what surname you have, you will learn from the “Chan template” of how to weave your surname history into your own. You are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch when we take a break. Please take advantage of your trip to the Oakland Family Search Center as after this session there are docents that can assist with online research, and/or full (and free!) use of a comprehensive digital lab for scanning photos, slides, negatives and video. Guest speakers are Huihan Lie, Founder and CEO, My China Roots; George Chin, Founding Director of CHCA (Chinatown History & Culture Association, Dr.Kenneth Chan and Ron Chan, Founder and Executive Director, BACGG.
10:00 – 10:15 Ron Chan, BACGG Executive Director, Welcome
10:15 – 11:00 AM, Huihan Lie, Founder & CEO, My China Roots. From Surnames to Records: Find your Chinese American Ancestors with My China Roots. Discover what tools and resources are available on the My China Roots platform to explore your Chinese family history! In this talk, My China Roots founder Huihan Lie will demonstrate: How to build your (Chinese) family tree. How to search records of your ancestors. How to find your family tree book (zupu/jiapu). To make the most of the workshop, we encourage you to create a FREE family tree on My China Roots in advance: https://www.mychinaroots.com/familytree/ and add as many ancestors as possible. Participants will also learn about My China Roots’ bespoke field research and roots trip services, for those who wish to travel back to their ancestral home in China. Attendees will also enjoy a 15% discount on My China Roots online subscriptions and bespoke research services.
11:00 – 12:15PM, Dr Kenneth Chan, The Chan Clan Chronicles Project The Chan/Chin/Chen/Chun Family has a long, proud, and rich history. The Chan Clan Chronicles is best described as a kaleidoscope of Chan/Chin/Chen/Chun family history, mythology, culture, ancestral roots, and family stories. The project contains a library of 15 video chapters, which gathers together all available information about Chan/Chin/Chen/Chun family history, and organizes the materials into a comprehensive resource for family historians and genealogists researching their family roots. During this session, you will preview video highlights of the Chan Clan Chronicles, learn about your name, ancestors, ancestral home, and place of origin, receive a behind-the-scenes look at the genesis and development of the Chan Clan Chronicles project, and gain ideas and strategies for creating or augmenting your own Chan/Chin/Chen/Chun family history project.
12:15 – 12:45PM, Brown bag lunch and general discussion
12:45 – 1:45PM, George Chin, Founding Director, Chinatown History and Culture Association, Getting to Know Your Family: Exploring Chinese American Heritage and Impact. Chinese Americans have made remarkable contributions to shaping local and regional histories across the U.S., and their stories are deeply inspiring. This presentation spotlights the rich legacies of four extraordinary family lineages—李 (Lee), 陳 (Chan), 黃 (Wong), and 鄺 (Kwong)—whose descendants have profoundly influenced Chinese American history over the past century.
Through an in-depth exploration of the roles these families have played, we will also highlight the power of family associations in San Francisco, with a special focus on the Chin Family Association. Far more than social groups, these associations act as guardians of cultural heritage, uniting communities, preserving traditions, and providing essential support networks.
Join us on a journey through generations of resilience and triumph to discover how these families have not only shaped history but continue to enrich our cultural landscape today. This presentation is also a call to action—an invitation to explore your own family associations and celebrate the unique stories within your own heritage. Together, let’s honor these legacies and inspire the next chapter of our community’s history!
In-Person Attendees: Although the FamilySearch Library is normally closed on Mondays, it will be open especially for our workshop. We’ll also have access to the library computers, and lunch will be provided—so please be sure to register early to reserve your spot.
Zoom Attendees: You’ll be able to join us online (11:00 – 12:00), and the Zoom link will be sent out 10 days prior to the event.
