This was an exciting week as I received three koseki packages from Japan. They were for the Kimura, Makino, and Kishi families. It is a daunting task to translate them into English, especially when I don’t speak or write Japanese. Thankfully, I was able to use Google Translate and DeepL. It’s incredible how far these free programs have come, offering capabilities that seemed unimaginable just a few years ago.

The largest package held 18 pages dedicated to the Kishi family, consisting of six documents tracing their lineage back six or seven generations to the early 1800s. The meticulous record-keeping and organization practiced in Japan’s history are truly remarkable.

There are names and dates that confirm my earlier research. However, there are some new names and surprises. I will be slowly adding the information to the Family Tree section.