Hello. I am Clarke Kido, 3rd generation Japanese American. Does anyone know how to contact and re

LegacyUser

Hello. I am Clarke Kido, 3rd generation Japanese American. Does anyone know how to contact and research the Japan archives to obtain family information from census, property, education, church records ? I do not read or speak Japanese.

So far, I found the 1920 US census records show that my grandfather Kyuzo Kido (born Jan 15, 1896) was from the Inado area of Fukuoka prefecture. The immigration records show his passenger ship Tacoma Maru travelled from Kobe to Tacoma WA in May 1914. The passenger manifest identifies the nearest relative and address for Kyuzo’s uncle S. Kido who lived at 1752 Nakatsu-mura, Fukuoka-ken. I am updating the Kido family tree.  I am very grateful for the familysearch library facilities and knowledgeable staff. 

Martinus Wolf

Clarke,

 

What you need to do is request koseki/joseki records from the local municipality.

 

These records can typically allow you to go back 2-4 generations before the immigrant issei individual. If you are interested, I can show you how.

 

Email me at marty_wolf@stanfordalumni.org. Even though I am of Dutch descent, I am able to read and speak Japanese - my wife is Japanese and for several years I have been helping Japanese-Americans living in the Sacramento area with their family history.

 

Martinus (Marty) Wolf

1alan1

Here is one a cousin sent me for search Japanese property records. He told me it was very awkward to use and I think there is a small fee. He sent me about a dozen records from my daughter in laws village. https://www.touki.or.jp/TeikyoUketsuke/

 

Here is an online phone book https://jpon.xyz/2012 it has three years you can search for free 2000, 2007 and 2014. This is for landlines, best to use Chrome browser for easy translations. It is somewhat accurate, I used it to collect information on the family, addresses and phone numbers. Don't be surprised to call someone and get the wrong person. Its 500 yen for a month to get more years, back to 1993 and up to 2017. The google translation may also contribute to confusion.

Martinus Wolf

Skip the online phone book UNTIL you have got your koseki/joseki records from the local municipality. Once you have identified the ancestral home (honsekichi), then you can start digging into the online phone book - as long as you are not looking at the major metropolitan areas, you can often find a number of potential relatives in the village neighborhood and sometimes people in the exact house! But koseki/joseki first!

 

1alan1

I agree. For us it worked out that way by chance. It took me 12 years from the beginning of the search until I met my daughter in laws biological mother. Most of my time was wasted due to lack of information and tools on how to search. Just sharing what I know and my experience.

srglover081.5608907029695598E12

I got help with research fron a kind Japanese Family History Missionary at the main library in Salt Lake City. I too am a 3 generation Japanese American and kanji isn't especially my strong suit. She helped me translate the required documentation, fill out forms and contact the local city hall where my family is from. A few months later I received a package from Japan with family records which she helped me translate. If you do not live in Utah I would recommend calling the Salt Lake FHL and getting an email address or two from the Japanese Department.

John Dyson KS

I lived in the Fukuoka Ward, of which Nakatsu is an integral part, for seven years. There are several members there who read and write English who may be able to help you. I suggest you send a letter to the Fukuoka Ward at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4-10-7 Yakuin, FUKUOKA, Japan 810-0022 and address it to Bishop Kai, asking if he could pass it to someone in the ward who enjoys family history research. Include as much information as you can. There are some avid family history researchers in the ward. They would not be able to access your koseki/joseki (family records) immediately due to current Japanese privacy laws, but they may be able to work with you to help you get those records from the government offices and translate the records once you have them. Along with the information you have, be sure to send an e-mail address so that you can communicate rapidly after the first contact. You may use my name when you write the first letter. John Dyson

LegacyUser

Thank you all for your advice in responding to my request. I ordered copies of the birth, marriage and death certificates of my parents. I have gathered the passenger manifest records of both sets of grandparents. Several friends in Japan have offered to look up family names and addresses that were referenced in the manfests (1914, 1915, 1919). My confidence is building that I will be able to compile the appropriate information to request the family koseki/joseki records. I hope to identify and meet distant relatives when I visit Japan this Fall. Thank you.

LegacyUser

Hello John, I have several questions that I wish to clarity with you before I contact the Fukuoka Ward for assistance. Please Email me at ckfactotum@gmail.com. I have been able to contact Kido relatives in Yukuhashi, Fukuoka-ken. Thank you.