ZongMai Genealogy Compilation Guide
Ancestor worship is not only a ritual; it is also a way for families to affirm their origins, kinship, family traditions, and shared memories.
Genealogy Compilation Practice · Updated 2026-09-22
Ancestor-worship practices may differ between families and regions. Clearly record the date and location of the activity, who organized it, and how participants referred to each part of the ceremony. Do not present a single activity in your own family as a tradition shared by all families with the same surname. When the origin of a practice is unknown, you may note, “Currently, this records only our family’s practice.”
Ask older family members where the ceremony was held in the past, who was responsible for preparations, which items were once kept by the previous generation, and what changed after the family moved. Distinguish firsthand experiences from accounts passed on by others, and record the interviewee’s name, relationship to the event, and interview date. When photographs, old account books, or inscriptions are available, assign them separate reference numbers.
Use wide shots to establish the location, close-ups to record objects with text or inscriptions, and group photos to add the names and positions of the people shown. Do not write only “Family ancestor-worship commemorative photo.” Instead, you could write, “Family gathering in an unspecified year, location to be verified; from left to right: …” and retain items awaiting confirmation. For photos involving private spaces or participants, agree on the scope of sharing in advance.
Participating in the same activity does not, on its own, prove a specific family relationship; terms used in rituals also need to be understood in context. If you intend to use this information to add someone to the genealogy, compare it against genealogy pages, family letters, or confirmation from knowledgeable relatives. Activity records can be included separately in the family chronicle; there is no need to force a connection to distant ancestors merely to include them in the genealogy.
A one-page activity record may include the date and location, participating families, an interview summary, a photo index, and questions awaiting verification. Preserve the original wording wherever possible; when editing, simply remove repetitive filler words. Do not add historical stories without supporting evidence to heighten the ceremonial atmosphere. After giving the edited record to participants for review, place it in the family archives.
