Searching for ancestors’ graves

At the request of a person living in the United States with roots in Japan, we went to Kagoshima Prefecture to investigate family crests and collect historical materials related to our ancestors. Some people search for graves because they want to find the grave itself, but sometimes they search for a grave as a means to find their ancestors’ family crest. Our purpose this time was to find a family crest.

Family register(koseki)

When someone with roots in Japan requests us to collect family registries, it is important to know the registered domicile of the last ancestor who had Japanese nationality (for example, their father or grandfather). This time, the client had the family register of their ancestors from the time they immigrated to the United States. Based on that, we were able to trace their ancestral family register back to the earliest one that can be obtained under current law.

Former land register(kyuu-tochidaichou)

After that, we were able to obtain the old land register and identify the place where our ancestors once lived. However, we found that the place had already been sold to someone else, and that no one with the same surname lived in the surrounding area anymore. We were able to contact the people currently living in the area where the client’s ancestors once lived, as well as the administrator of a nearby temple, and were informed that there were several cemeteries in the area and old graves that were no longer being managed. The main purpose of this business trip was to visit all of these cemeteries. In addition, just to be sure, we also contacted someone with the same surname who lives a little further away, and we had received prior consent to be allowed to see the family crest on a grave near their home.

Searching for a grave

In our current survey in Kagoshima Prefecture, we went along such unpathed roads and searched for old graves. In the summer, there are many insects, snakes, and bees, and it has been extremely hot in Japan recently, so it is quite a tough job.

We also looked at each gravestone that had been removed because no one visited it. Unfortunately, we were unable to find the grave of the client’s ancestors with a family crest engraved on it during this survey.

I found the family crest

We were able to find out the family crest from the grave of someone with the same surname who lives in a slightly distant area. Since this is not the client’s ancestral grave, we are not sure if the client’s ancestors used this family crest, but we told them that “it is highly likely that the client used this family crest because it is a very rare surname even in Japan.”

Research at the museum

We also conducted research at nearby libraries and museums, and were able to obtain materials that included photos of the client’s grandmother.

Kagoshima Castle

This is the Goromon Gate of Kagoshima Castle (Tsurumaru Castle).

This is the stone wall of Kagoshima Castle. There were many holes in the stone wall that were likely hit by bullets from the new government army during the Seinan War (1877). These tell of the fierce battles at that time. 

Kagoshima Prefecture Specialties and Souvenirs

Kagoshima is famous for a fish called amberjack.

The souvenir was “Saigo Takamori Potato Chips.”
With these, anyone can become Saigo.

We have created an English page for people living overseas who have roots in Japan.

We will research your ancestors, family crests, and create family trees for those with roots in Japan.
Please feel free to contact us.
https://kakeizu-sakusei.com/familytreecreation/