18세기 이후 朝鮮에서 派譜의 등장과 族譜의 확산

Abstract

This article focuses on spread of Korean Genealogies from Eighteenth Century. Chosŏn society changed dramatically after the acceptance of the Chinese clan structure (zongfa) in the eighteenth century and as Korean genealogies (chcokpo) spread among the literati (sadaebu) as a means of ensuring social status. Genealogies record family lines of blood relations. Chosŏn, in particular, have formed strong blood relations centering on families and descent groups since the beginning of history. Specific relevant records have been kept over a long period of time. The compilation of genealogies aimed to integrate a community of descendants of the same forefathers, strengthen the descent group's cohesion, keep order, and pursue reconciliation among the people in the community. Compilation also sought to boost the descent group's external, social profile, enhance the family members' stature through marriage, and facilitate their political and social advancement. Thus, genealogies recorded not only blood relationships, but also the achievements of one's forefathers, thereby inspiring a sense of pride among the descent group members. Also, genealogies served as specifications of the descent group members' rights and obligations, and as regulations to control the descent group. As it governed the people and kept social order through the registry of families, the state supported the compilation of genealogies in order to maintain appropriate relations between and among descent groups and families, and also to maintain power. Genealogies, which served political and social functions of that time, provide ample political, social, and cultural information. They record much data relating to families, clans, and rural society thatare not found in state records. From the relocations of descent groups' bases recorded in genealogies, many new facts can be inferred, such as the country's upheavals following the movement of population, and the outbreak of regional epidemics. Also, recorded in genealogies is such data as the formation of and changes in political power through marriage. Now is the time that research on history should pay attention to individual personal data. In this respect, it is necessary to study family and descent group blood relationships, and shed new light on family systems, families' ways of living, and changes in status.