Study on the Characteristics of Genealogy Contract Documents in Qing Dynasty

Abstract

According to the data collected from the genealogical contract documents from the Qing Dynasty to 1949, the genealogical contract documents were first published in the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, and the contract documents clearly stated that the genealogical contract documents should be published in the Qianlong period. However, the surviving amount of genealogical deed documents is less than one thousandth of the existing genealogy. It is estimated that the surviving amount of genealogical deed documents is less than 5000. As for the type of genealogical contract document, it is roughly the same as the type of scattered contract document, mainly land sale contract document, and genealogical contract document is related to the interests of the clan. The main purpose of the contract in the genealogy is to protect the interests of the family property from loss, so as to maintain the permanent existence of the family property.