우리나라 가계기록의 세 가지 유형

Abstract

To classify old books and documents into specific types based on certain standards is very hard, however, it is critically necessary at the same time. In particular, genealogy records of South Korea are excellent materials for research in terms of quality and quantity, but unfortunately appropriate studies or researches on this area have not been continued. Therefore, it is urgently required to classify and categorize genealogy records of Korea. It needs to categorize genealogy records, including genealogy books, genealogical tables, family trees and many other similar materials in order to provide a broad and comprehensive understanding of Korean genealogy records. It is also possible to make Korean genealogy records as national written cultural heritage in a systematic way by dealing with individual 'lineage', 'literary legacy' and 'the history of blood relatives' within genealogy records. The most distinctive feature of genealogy records is that they are documents which play a role as communication tools directly and indirectly among the people who are from the same bloodline. Genealogy records are comprised of a variety of sentences, however, they try to deliver the history of mankind, the relationship among human and stories of people ultimately. Unlike other documents, readers and writers, subjects and objects are changeable in genealogy records freely. Most of all, genealogy records have been reproduced continuously as a living legacy, not a relic like an antique. Genealogy records of Korea are one of the most important cultural heritage and have limitless values. Although there are numerous documents both in private and public places and the current researches are mainly focused on genealogy books, we are sure that it is time to rethink about genealogy records in earnest and proactively. The author hopes that this paper's categorization will help trigger extensive researches.