How far back can you trace your family history?

[SOPi_Jawbreaker]

My mom's brother drew up a family tree. I don't remember how far back he'd gotten, but I think it was only maybe four generations. I think my brother may have a copy of that family tree, but it's all in Chinese. I think my paternal grandfather had written a bit about our genealogy in his journals, but once again everything's in Chinese. My aunt wanted to take the journals to China to get them translated, copied, and bound into nice books for us kids. However, my grandfather fought for the Nationalist Party, so there may be some stuff in there denouncing the Communist Party.

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by SOPi_Jawbreaker

My mom's brother drew up a family tree. I don't remember how far back he'd gotten, but I think it was only maybe four generations. I think my brother may have a copy of that family tree, but it's all in Chinese. I think my paternal grandfather had written a bit about our genealogy in his journals, but once again everything's in Chinese. My aunt wanted to take the journals to China to get them translated, copied, and bound into nice books for us kids. However, my grandfather fought for the Nationalist Party, so there may be some stuff in there denouncing the Communist Party.

My dad's side has a genealogy chart too and I'd like to have it translated for me when I get married. I think it would be nice to have. I don't know much about my mom's side - my great grandfather (my maternal grandma's dad) was an orphan and was raised by a much older sibling. Also, I'm not too sure if these journals will tell the whole picture - are women actually listed in these charts, or are they given the title of "wife" or "daughter"? And do the women fall off the charts once they marry?

I think these charts/journals go back several centuries.